2013 RULES
Changes: Revised or new rules are highlighted in light yellow; Deletions are struck through
ABERDEEN and DISTRICT ANGLING ASSOCIATION
- Members may only fish Association waters if they have in their possession their membership identity card and valid season permit, which must be produced on request by any water bailiff, warden, authorised watcher or fellow member.
- Members must comply with any reasonable request from bailiffs, wardens or authorised watchers.
- Current rules should be carried.
- Any adult member of the Association may be accompanied by up to 2 children under 12 years of age who may fish within the rules without requiring a separate permit for the children concerned. On reaching 12 years of age if the child wishes to continue with the sport of angling they can immediately join the Association as a Junior Member on payment of the appropriate fee.
- Fly Fishing only between sunset and sunrise (times as advertised in Local Press and the ADAA diary) except at River Dee, Garthdee, & Banchory Devenick, where no fishing at all is permitted between one hour after sunset and sunrise from 1st September onwards.
- Hook gape must not exceed 1cm
- All kelts, coloured fish, ripe fish, salmon parr, smolts, finnock, and any fish under 10 ins must be returned forthwith to the water with the least possible injury.
- Fish hooked behind the head must be returned to the water.
- It is hoped that members will fly fish when water conditions are low. Spinning by those members who are elderly or infirm excepted.
Bag Limits (Fish killed)
- It is emphasised bag limits are not targets & anglers should only retain fish they will use.
- Members are encouraged to return hen fish.
- Members must return all Salmon over 32 inches.
- Members must return all brown trout over 18 inches.
- Members must return all sea trout after 30 September.
- The annual bag limit for Salmon or Grilse shall be an overall total of not more than 8 fish across all Association waters, no more than 4 from the Dee/Feugh, 4 from the Ythan, and 4 from the Don. No Salmon or Grilse are to be retained before 1st June.
- The annual bag limit for Sea Trout shall be an overall total of not more than 6 across all Association waters. It is however recommended that all are returned subject to evidence that stocks are replenishing.
- The daily bag limit will be an overall total of 6 fish. This figure may include not more than 1 Salmon or Grilse, 1 Sea Trout, 2 Brown Trout and 2 Rainbow Trout.
- A weekly limit of 6 fish also applies at the Loch of Loirston.
The following are not permitted
- Fixed rod or set line, boat fishing, ground bait, live or dead natural minnow, prawn, shrimp, maggot, sniggering, bubble floats (except at loch), shooting, gaffs, tailers, knotted nets.
- Sunday fishing except where permitted.
Closure of waters
- On competition days the beat on which a competition is being held will be closed from 00.01hrs until after the finishing time of the competition except to competitors during competition.
Etiquette/Behaviour
- Members with dogs must keep them under strict control and will be personally liable for any damage caused by their dog.
- Use only permitted parking places and access roads. Do not park on access roads. Park with consideration. Do not cross fields. Close gates behind you.
- When river fishing anglers must keep moving a full 3ft step per cast irrespective of method of fishing. This rule does not apply at the Machar Pool.
- Please be mindful of anglers on the opposite bank.
- No angler casting upstream to interfere with anglers fishing downstream. Neither salmon nor trout anglers have precedence.
- Anglers must behave in a sportsman-like and gentlemanly manner at all times. Always act in a considerate manner to fellow anglers: -e.g. wading too deeply may affect others’ fishing enjoyment.
- Anglers should only retain fish they will use.
Litter
- No litter discarded line or tape to be left on the banks or surrounding areas. Please take your litter home.
Return of catches
- Notification of catch information is obligatory on all members and should take place within 48 hours of all catches being made.
- It is important that all members adhere to the catch reporting rule. This must be done by telephone, number 01569 731949 or by the computer system. It will be a disciplinary offence not to do so.
Sale of fish
- It is illegal in Scotland to sell rod caught Salmon or Sea Trout. No fish caught on Association waters can be sold. Any member in breach of this rule will be expelled from membership.
Discipline
- Disciplinary action, which may result in expulsion, will be taken against any member breaching the rules.
Secretary
- If predators are in evidence notify the Secretary.
- All complaints suggested improvements etc by members should be put in writing to the Secretary.
- Details of any additional fishings which may become available during the season can be obtained at Somers Fishing Tackle, Bon Accord Terrace, Aberdeen.
- The combination lock code for various locations is in your diary.
FISHINGS
RIVER DEE
Season - 1st February - 15th October
No Salmon or Grilse are to be retained before 1st June or after 30 September.
and no sea trout to be retained after 30 September
No worming at any time
Fly only during October
Pots and Fords
From Ruthrieston burn downstream to 110yds. above Wellington Suspension Bridge. Both banks.
Permit required. Limited to 10 per day. (permits available from Somers)
Fly only
Midchingle
From Victoria Bridge upstream to 110yds above Wellington Suspension Bridge. Both banks.
Garthdee
North bank from metal fence 200yds above the Bridge of Dee upstream for 1320yds to a fence at RGU.
Between 1 July & 30 September spinning is allowed downstream of the Pump House Pool only when the river is above the spinning mark.
Banchory Devenick
South bank from a point 60yds downstream of the East-most pump house upstream to a point 100yds West of Banchory Devenick Church, South Deeside Road.
North bank from a point 500yds above the uppermost boundary of ADAA Garthdee fishings to a point 440yds further upstream.
Car parking: for South bank - Lay-by at Leggart Terrace opposite the pump house; Waterside Farm car park; the roadside verge west of Banchory Devenick Church.
Garthdee & Banchory Devenick
No fishing between one hour after sunset and sunrise (times as in Local Press and ADAA Diary) from 1st September onwards.
Anglers must commence fishing upstream of any other anglers on a pool and fish progressively downstream. An angler landing a salmon must recommence fishing upstream of any other anglers fishing the pool and take his turn if others are waiting.
An angler must move downstream at least 3ft per cast irrespective of method of fishing.
No wading beyond the centre of the river or the line of the buoys.
No wading across from the North to the South bank or vice versa.
No upstream spinning.
Only 1 hook, a treble or less per lure.
Only proprietary lures to be used with no adaptation to create a trailing hook.
Maximum weight of lure plus weights not to exceed 25gms.
Hook gape must not exceed 1cm.
Definition of ‘The Pump House Pool’
Garthdee side - From the buoy upstream of the Leggart Burn downstream to the marker post on the north bank.
Banchory Devenick side - Between markers A and B as per map.
Additional rules for the Pump House Pool
Three water heights will be marked:
- Low level - fly fishing only, with a floating line, maximum fly size 10, no weighted flies
- Middle level - fly fishing only
- High level - spinning permitted (except after 30 September).
Garthdee side
- 4 rods only - no booking required
- No spinning at high level, sunrise to 7am, during June, July and August
Banchory Devenick side
- 4 rods only
- After 1st June members are required to pre-book a session to fish this bank. To pre-book, members should contact Somers, telephone 01224 210008. Session times are from 7am to 12noon, 12noon to 5pm and 5pm to sunset (one hour after sunset from 1st September onwards). Members must fish a pre-booked session before they may pre-book another session.
- No pre-booking is required for night fishing, sunset to 7am, fly fishing only, during June, July and August.
It may be necessary at times of extremely low water levels to reduce angling effort at the Pump House Pool and downstream.
RIVER FEUGH
Season 1st March - 30th September
North Bank from marker beside roadside opposite Feughside Inn to marker 2980 yds downstream.
RIVER YTHAN
Season 11th February - 31st October
No Salmon or Grilse are to be retained before 1st June.
Machar pool
From Logie Buchan Bridge downstream to the Machar Ford. Both banks.
Worming confined to upriver on North and South banks from marker.
Ardlethen
North (left) Bank: - From the mouth of the Ebrie Burn, adjacent to the Ebrie bridge on the B9005, upstream 2750 yards to a point 200 yards below the Ythan Auchedly bridge, on the B9005 at Ythanbank. (Drumwhindle Road end car park-combination lock code 1411).
South (right) Bank: - From the mouth of the Bronie Burn, 135 yards below the Ardlethen Bridge on the Ellon - Tarves road, upstream 3300 yards to the mouth of the Braik’s Burn, 250 yards above Waterside Croft.
At the bottom of the beat, do not park east of the bridge on the south verge, or west of the bridge on the north verge.
Belmuir
North (left) bank of the river, starting about 100 yards below the road bridge across the river in Methlick, and extends downstream for about 1.75 miles, to around 150 yards above Kelly Sawmill.
Methlick
From approx. 480yds above Methlick Road Bridge upstream for 3800 yds to edge of Badiebath Wood. North bank only.
No dogs allowed at any time.
RIVER DON
Season 11th. Feb - 31st. October for salmon and Sea trout.
1st. April - 30th. September for Brown trout.
Fly fishing for Brown trout permitted on Sundays with exception of Lower Parkhill, north bank & Balbithan & Torryburn Fishings.
No worming before 1st May.
No Salmon or Grilse are to be retained before 1st June.
Nether Don (Seaton)
Both banks from Coffin Stone (below island) downstream to river mouth.
No parking on private road to Kettock's Mill.
Lower Parkhill
North bank from Parkhill Road Bridge downstream to the marker post. Strictly no dogs allowed.
Access from Parkhill Road Bridge only to north bank fishings.
South bank from Parkhill Road Bridge downstream to the Farburn.
Car-parking: - near Asda and lay-by at Parkhill Bridge.
No worming at any time.
Trout fishing by fly only.
Upper Parkhill
North bank from Parkhill bridge upstream to Head of Cockers pool.
South bank from Parkhill Road Bridge upstream to the weir above cemetery car park.
Car-parking: - Lay-by at Road Bridge, Cockers and Cemetery car parks.
Members vehicles must not be parked anywhere on the road to Mill O’Dyce farm.
Lower Fintray
North bank from Logie Farm downstream to the walled garden halfway down Glebe pool.
Rules for the Manse Pool
- Only 8 rods on Manse pool are allowed. Pool is marked off in sections. Anglers must commence fishing at a marker and then proceed downstream to the bottom section of the pool taking a full 3ft step per cast. New arrivals can commence fishing at any vacant section but if taking a section below one already being fished must start a point equivalent to that reached by the angler on the upstream section. No doubling back to an upstream section until the pool has been fished down to the end of the bottom section.
- Only one angler per section. No angler to proceed into next section until it is vacant.
- Fly only June, July and August unless water level is above the official marker when spinning will be allowed (no worming).
- No exchange/visitors tickets for Manse or Eagle Pools.
Upper Fintray
North bank from Newmill Burn downstream for 2900 yds to marker post.
Pedestrian access at Hatton of Fintray Road Bridge. Car parking behind Boat of Hatton farm as signposted.
No dogs allowed at any time.
Kemnay
South bank from Kemnay Bridge downstream for approximately 1.5 miles.
No worming at any time.
Trout fishing by fly only.
Consideration to be given to those fishing the other bank.
Cruive fishings
South bank from 150 yards below Persley Bridge downstream to the boundary with the Nether Don beat at Seaton Park.
North bank from Downiehill downstream to the Nether Don beat.
Additional rules for the Snuffies & Benzies Pools
- Only 3 rods at Snuffies downstream from marker stone at head of pool to the weir and 2 rods at Benzies from weir to the tail of the pool.
- Sections are marked by black and yellow poles but if missing, anglers should be equally spaced apart, only 1 angler per section.
- Fly only after 1st June, unless water is above the official marker situated on stone at head of Snuffies Pool.
- Anglers must keep moving a full 3ft step per cast irrespective of method of fishing.
- No worming at any time.
Upper Stoneywood
South bank, from the bottom mark of the Lower Parkhill South beat at the Farburn, for ¾ mile, ending at the upstream side of Stoneywood Mill Dyke
Maximum of 2 rods per pool permitted.
Balbithan and Torryburn fishings
North Bank - from the lower Boundary of the Kintore Fishings downstream for 3.8 miles to the Newmill Burn i.e. the upper boundary of ADAA Upper Fintray fishings.
South bank from the Tuach Burn downstream for 2.2 miles to the upper boundary of Kinaldie Fishings.
Strictly no dogs allowed.
No worming at any time.
Trout fishing by fly only.
Loch of Loirston
Season - Rainbow Trout - all year
Brown Trout 1st April - 30th September
- Maximum of 2 fish per day with an overall limit of 6 fish per week excluding fish caught during competitions.
- Any or all of the first 2 fish caught can be kept, thereafter mandatory catch and release using barbless or de-barbed hooks.
- Fly only except for juniors, Minors and Disabled Members with written authorisation from the Secretary, who may worm.
- For the period 1st Nov. to 1st March, worming permitted for all anglers.
- Sunday fishing permitted.
- Car-parking - Lay-by at roadside (but consider parking on old section of road on east side of main road) and at Lochinch Farm.
Float Tubing
- Float tubing is allowed at the loch for a trial period subject to the following conditions:
- The Loch Convenor has the authority to stop their use at any time.
- Float tube anglers must supply and wear an approved life jacket.
- Any anglers using float tubes do so at their own risk.
- Float tube anglers must keep themselves a minimum of 60 yards from any bank.
- Float tube anglers should be mindful of bank anglers when entering and leaving the water.
- No more than six float tube anglers allowed on the loch at any one time.
- No float tubes allowed during competitions.
Parkhill Trout Fishery
Hours of opening – 8.30am until dusk each day.
Closed 25th December & 1 January.
- Fly Fishing Only. No spinning rods/bubble floats permitted.
- 100% catch and release applies to all fish caught. All fish to be returned to the water dead or alive. No fish to be taken – no excuses will be accepted for any breach.
- Barbless or de-barbed hooks compulsory (spot checks will be carried out)
- 6lb minimum breaking strain to be used on leaders.
- Bank fishing from the fishing jetties only. These will be numbered from 1 to 8 in a clockwise direction starting at the western most end. An angler can commence fishing at any vacant jetty but must move round in a clockwise direction at half hour intervals on the stroke of the hour and half hour and after fishing at jetty no 8 can go back to the start at no 1 but will have to wait in turn if others are waiting to start fishing. Only 1 angler per jetty.
- Fish to be landed carefully and not removed from the water as far as possible. Use the landing platforms beside each jetty as a landing place. Return fish with care.
- No wading at any time – water close to the bank in most areas is too deep and dangerous. Take note of the sites of the safety equipment in case it needs to be used.
- No dogs allowed at any time.
- No litter- take it home with you.
- Please register your details and record catch details at the end of the days fishing in the register kept in the fishing hut.
- Respect the wildlife on site.
- Use only the official car park. Park carefully. No overspill parking onto adjoining areas. Please observe a 20mph speed limit on the access road.
- Sunday fishing permitted.
- Parking for disabled members is available on application in writing to the Secretary.
Boat Rules
- Sessions 8.30am-11.30am, 11.45am-2.45pm, 3pm-6pm, 6.15pm-dusk
- No charge for use of boats, however boats must be pre booked using the online booking system on the ADAA website shop. If you do not have online facilities contact the Convener to arrange (Bob Dey, Tel 07704 203963),
- If a boat appears available it may be used, however it must be given up immediately on arrival of a member who has pre booked it.
- All Boat users must use a life jacket (Life jackets available in hut)
- Only 2 anglers per boat. Maximum of 3 persons per boat.
- Anglers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
- No standing in boat except when casting or playing fish
- No waders to be worn on boats
- Boats must be anchored when fishing (1 at front and 1 at rear)
- When lifting the anchors, please wash off mud before taking on board.
- Remove any litter/discarded nylon from boat when session finished
- Boats to keep at least 30 metres clear of casting jetties if occupied by anglers.
- Anglers must return oars & life jackets to hut when finished fishing and hang them up in storage position.
- Lock up boats when finished fishing unless handing boats over to other anglers.
- Any life jacket inflated accidentally must be reported to either the Convener or Secretary (Numbers displayed below)
- Any damage to boats must be reported ASAP to either the Convener or Secretary.
- Observe times for boat handover to following users.
Exchange Permits
Exchange permits (no charge) for Inverness and Inverurie Angling Club waters available from Somers Fishing Tackle, 13 Bon-Accord Terrace, Aberdeen. Permits may be booked in advance.