Rules and Byelaws of the Association - 2008 Season

The following is the first point of the Constitution of the Association and is included for reference:

The Association shall be called “The Newton Abbot Fishing Association”. Any members of the Association involved in activities either contrary to the aims of the Association or liable to bring it into disrepute, shall be liable to such disciplinary action as the Association’s Officers and Committee shall deem fit”.

1.  All persons who access or fish waters controlled by the Association must be in possession of a current NAFA licence (or day ticket) and the appropriate Environment Agency Rod Licence. Anglers unable to produce a NAFA licence whilst upon MAFA premises will be requested to leave the water and be subject to further action by the Committee (copies of licences are not acceptable). Non members are not permitted to enter upon NAFA property unless accompanied by a member. A maximum of one non member is able to be accompanied by a NAFA member who shall be held responsible for all their actions. All non members to abide by NAFA rules and Byelaws.

2. Any member or non member who breaches the Rules and Byelaws of the Association must leave the premises if directed to do so by a NAFA Official or Bailiff. Further action may be taken against the member as deemed appropriate by the Committee.

3. Members may use two rods in any one swim from April 1st until September 30th. From October 1st until March 31st three rods may be used. The onus is on the member to ensure they have the relevant E.A. Rod Licence cover when fishing.

4.  All fish in the waters owned or leased by the Association are the property of the Association and must be returned alive to the water from which they were caught. (Exception: see rule 5)

5. Small roach, rudd and perch may be caught and used as live bait on the Association's waters only. These fish are not to be removed from the Association's waters or moved between ponds.

6. Spinning will be allowed at all times of the year however members are requested to ensure that they do not disturb other anglers.

7. A junior is any angler under the age of 16. No unaccompanied junior may stay on property controlled by the Association from one hour after sunset and until one hour before sunrise unless accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. The adult must be in the same swim and not responsible for more than one junior at any one time.

8. Any Junior under the age of 12, must be accompanied by a responsible adult when fishing any Association water. (Juniors fishing Wapperwell Pond, must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21). They should be under supervision at all times and a maximum of 2 juniors to be under the supervision of the adult. The only exception to this rule will be at junior matches organised by the Association where there will be adequate adult supervision.

9. No juniors are permitted on the walkways or floating platforms in Dores Pond, unless accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.

10. A ban is imposed on all pre-baiting in waters that are subject to a close season that has been agreed by the Committee.

11. Any full member has the right to check any other angler for their membership ticket or licence.

12. Under the terms of the data protection act, NAFA reserves the right to hold and maintain personal information relevant to the members of the Association, who from time to time may receive correspondence from the Association relating to the business of the Association.

13. NAFA reserves the right to refuse the renewal of any NAFA Membership.

14. In the case on any dispute, the decision of the Committee shall be final.

15. All persons, vehicles, property etc, entering onto NAFA controlled premises do so entirely at their own risk and are subject to these rules and byelaws.

16. NAFA reserves the right to add or omit the availability of waters for fishing at any time at the sole discretion of the Committee, without recourse or compensation to any member. Junior Officer and Wheel Pond Bailiff have the ability to close and or reserve swims at Wheel Pond, at their discretion, for the purposes of holding education/teach-in events. A minimum of 48 hours notice will be provided to advise the membership.

17. Excessive consumption of alcohol upon NAFA property is not permitted. Any person found under the influence of alcohol on NAFA property will be immediately requested to leave and subject to further action as the Committee deems appropriate.

18. Only barbless, or hooks with a squashed down barb are permitted on all waters of the Association.

19. Tether rigs must not be used on any waters at any time. A non-tether rig is considered as if the line breaks, the tackle must be free to slide off the line, so as not to trap or snag the fish.

20. Pike anglers must use a wire trace of a minimum length of 375mm (15 inches), and appropriate unhooking devices such as forceps. Note: barbless hooks only to be used as rule 18.

21. The use of a Gaff is strictly prohibited and an adequate landing net must be used at all times.

22. Anglers fishing Association waters for specimen fish should be in possession of an un-hooking mat specifically designed for the purpose, it should be at least 36"x24". Additionally anglers should have a suitable sling to safely transport fish back to the water and be in possession of an approved fish antiseptic for the treatment of hook marks or abrasions.

23. All carp to be returned to the water immediately after capture and may be retained in sacks for the maximum duration of 1 hour. All sacks used for the retention of fish are to be at least 120cm x 90cm and specifically designed for the purpose, they should be constructed of a soft, dark coloured, non-abrasive, water permeable fabric. At the discretion of the Bailiffs and the Committee, at certain time of year a complete ban on carp sacks may be in place.

24. All keep-nets are to have a circumference of not less than 120cm, with supporting frames not more than 40cm apart and to be no shorter than 2m. Carp Fishery Approved keep-nets are preferred.

25. No member shall cut trees, weed swims or alter the bank in any way without permission from the bailiff of the pond. The exception to this rule is to rescue trapped persons or wildlife.

26. No dogs are allowed on the Rackerhayes complex. At other waters, dogs are to be kept under control at all times, with the use of a leash if necessary, so as not to annoy other anglers or endanger wildlife.

27. No excessive noise, audio equipment may be used but the volume is to be controlled so as not to offend other anglers.

28. No camping tents, fires or barbecues permitted without authority of the Committee. Angling shelters are to be specifically designed for angling and to be of a colour to blend in with surroundings.

29. No boats or rafts are allowed on the waters of the Association unless used in conjunction with a work party. This rule includes the use of “Bait Boats”.

30. Anyone proved to have left litter or discarded line in their swim, shall be suspended from the Association.

31. Anyone caught and proved to have left baited rods unattended in the water will be suspended from the Association.

32. Excess ground bait must not be thrown into the water when leaving the swim.

33. No swim may be reserved. Anglers are not permitted to be absent from their swim for longer than 2 hours.

34. Members must withdraw their line if they are encroaching into another swim. In the absence of other anglers you may fish to extended points, but must withdraw if another angler moves into this extended area. Any angler failing to observe this rule should be reported and the Committee will take appropriate action.

35. Swimming on all waters owned or leased by the Association is banned for all reasons, other than to save the life of a person who is in the water.

36. No bikes to be ridden on the Association’s property at any time.

37. No nut baits may be used on any waters at any time. 

Rules Relating to Matches and Competitions.

NOTE – No competitor may fish/practice on the venue within 24 hours before the competition/match start time.

38. Members competing in Association Competitions and Matches shall fish to the National Federation of Anglers Rules, a copy of which will be either on display or available at every competition or match. Entry into any match or competition shall be deemed acceptance of these rules.

39. During club matches (not open matches) a valid licence to fish the Associations waters shall be shown when applying to fish the match or competition, when purchasing a ticket prior to the match. Any angler failing to produce the said licence will not be allowed to enter.

40. In pegged out matches or competitions the relevant pond(s) will be closed one hour prior to the draw. Any angler not fishing the match or competition must leave the relevant water(s) at that time. In the Festival Match, Dores, Island, First and Linhay Ponds will be closed from 15:30pm until 21:30pm on the Friday of the match and closed from 04:00am until 12:30pm on the Sunday of the match.

41. Live baiting is allowed in the Festival, i.e. treble hooks may be used.

42. During all night competitions organised by the Association, dead baiting will be allowed.

43. If unforeseen circumstances arise, such as flooding on the River Isle, a venue may be changed by giving 48 hours written notice to the two local tackle shops and displayed on the Association notice board. Members already fishing on the new venue will be pegged around.

44. Matches will be on designated waters and the match fixture list will be entered into the rulebook. Vacant swims on waters being used will not be available for use to members not participating in the match or competition. 

Byelaws Relating to Fishing Bailiffs

45.  Bailiffs of the Association are appointed by the Committee and members must show on request their licence or ticket. Additionally Bailiffs have the authority to check keep nets, carp sacks and bags. Bailiffs also have the authority to ask members to withdraw their line from the water to enable them to inspect terminal tackle. In addition Bailiffs have temporary discretionary powers that enable them to impose measures or restrictions that they believe are reasonable, and that may not necessarily be covered by the Association rules. This action would then be reviewed at the next Committee meeting where a final decision would be made at this time.

46. The Association’s Bailiffs or officials have the authority to withdraw from any member their licence or ticket if they are in obvious breach of the Association's byelaws or rules. That member will then be deemed to be suspended from the Association until the next Committee Meeting. The licence or ticket will be forwarded within 24 hours to the Secretary of the Association along with a written report stating the reason for their action. The Bailiff or Official and the ticket holder will then be summoned to attend the next Committee Meeting of the Association.

The Constitution of the Association

A copy of the Constitution is available from both the Hon. Secretary and the Membership Secretary.