1.   Introduction

The ethos of the Cinder Hill Fly Fishing syndicate is to provide affordable fly fishing in a natural and friendly environment. These rules are provided to help ensure every member has an enjoyable experience whilst at the lakes. Any infringements encountered should be reported to the Secretary and/or Chairman.            These rules should be carried by each member for reference whilst fishing at the lakes.

2.   Fishing Season - The fishing season is from 1st March to 30th November inclusive at Piplye Ponds and from 1st April to 31st October inclusive at Cinder Hill. The estate runs a comprehensive shooting season   in the autumn each year and members will be advised of the dates and times that the venues will be closed for fishing. A sign is usually displayed when shooting is in progress.

3.   Fly Fishing Only - On all lakes.

4.   Fly Hook Size - Shall not exceed size 10. Droppers are permitted.

5.   Fishing Hours - No fishing between sunset & sunrise.

6.   Padlock Code - The gates to the waters and doors to the fishing huts are secured by digital padlocks. Each year a new 4-digit padlock code will be issued to members and will be advised when new annual membership badges are sent out. The padlock code is the same for all gates and huts.  All gates and huts must be locked after access is gained. Please ensure the padlock tumblers are turned such that the padlock code is not displayed.

7.   Visits - Members are entitled to 25 visits during the season. A member may make a total of 2 visits per week (1 each to Cinder Hill and Piplye, Sunday to Saturday). Two visits will be deemed to have been used if both venues are visited on the same day. During March and November it is permissible to visit Piplye twice per week.

8.   Guests - A member may bring a guest at each visit which will count as one of the member’s 25 entitlement but will not preclude a second visit to the other venue during the same week. Guests must be accompanied by the host member during their visit & all Fishery Rules apply equally to guests. The host is responsible for their guest’s safety taking into consideration the conditions at the venue and the guest’s abilities.

9.   EA License & Cinder Hill Badge - It is a legal requirement for all members and guests to be in possession of a valid Environment Agency (EA) fishing license and to be able to provide this if requested by an EA bailiff or committee member. Each season a Cinder Hill Fly Fishing badge will be issued, and this must be worn at all times when at the lakes in order that other members and the gamekeeper and estate staff can recognise your authority to fish.

10. Signing in & out - Access to the huts is by the padlock code. Please complete the signing in form before commencing fishing and at the end of a session complete the catch return sheet even if you have a nil return. All guests must be signed in on a separate line together with your badge number. Enter your and your guest’s car registration number on the signing in form, this helps us to identify unauthorised vehicles. Please ensure that all entries are complete and legible. The catch return sheets are a vital part of fishery management and our regular stocking programme. Huts must always be locked when not in use.

11. Catch Limits

 (a) A catch and kill limit of 3 fish will apply for all visits.

 (b) Limited Catch & Release - is permitted from the start of the season up to the end of June on the Top and Middle lakes at Piplye and Top and Bottom lakes at Cinder Hill subject to water conditions. Members may catch & release a maximum of 2 fish provided they have not yet killed their 3rd fish. However, all fishing must stop when a third fish has been killed.

      Therefore, a maximum of 5 fish may be caught, being 2 Catch and Release fish and 3 catch and kill.          All fish that are badly or deeply hooked, damaged, or fail to recover, must be killed and count towards the 3 fish catch and kill limit. A member may fish only for C&R but must kill any badly or deeply hooked fish.     All Catch and Release fish must be played to the bank as quickly as possible and the hook extracted without removing the fish from the water. Barbless or de-barbed hooks must be used for Catch & Release.

12. Health & Safety / General / Emergencies

(a) Barbecues and Fires - BBQ’s and fires are not permitted except for officially organised and approved events such as Charity Days and Work Parties.

(b) Dogs - Are not allowed at the lakes, unless specific permission has been granted.

(c) Communication - Please report any activity at the lakes which looks abnormal to a Committee member. We do get occasional poaching and stray walkers so please be cautious when approaching strangers.       If you have a decent photo of your catch or a good fishing story it can be posted on our Facebook page or website, by contacting the Secretary or Chairman.

(d) Litter - Please ensure that you take all litter home with you, especially any redundant fishing line which can harm wildlife if left on the banks.

(e) General Safety - Please be vigilant always when at the lakes and do not take any unnecessary risks near the water. A copy of the Risk Assessment is posted in each hut for your reference. All angling bodies associated with fly fishing strongly advise that you wear appropriate clothing and in particular a hat and protective glasses when fishing. If you think you are the last person fishing please check the returns sheet is complete when signing out, and if not please make a quick check of the waters to see that no harm has come to anyone.

 (f) Emergencies - Ensure that somebody knows that you are visiting the lakes and be aware that there is usually an extremely poor or non-existent mobile phone signal in the areas where the lakes are. There are up to date First Aid kits in both fishing huts along with an accident report book which should be completed for all accidents. For any emergency, the nearest postcode and “what3words” location for each venue is provided for members. The “what3words” location is the gate entrance to the venue and this should be used as the postcode is not accurate enough. It is recommended that you save the “what3words” locations on your mobile phone.

(g) General Health - Please do not visit the lakes if you are feeling unwell. You may be alone at the lakes and should your condition worsen there may not be another person around to help. Also you cannot rely on the mobile network at the lakes to call emergency services.

(h) Abuse & Safeguarding - Verbal or physical abuse of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Should a member witness or suspect that any abuse has taken place, they should report it immediately to the Chairman, Club Welfare Officer or another Committee member for review and action. Particular care should be taken to safeguard young ( persons under the age of 18 ) and vulnerable adults ( persons over 18 years who are at risk of abuse or neglect because of their needs for care or support ).

 N.B. failure to comply with these rules might result in a person being asked to leave the syndicate.