ABERDEEN & DISTRICT ANGLING ASSOCIATION RULES & FISHINGS FOR VISITORS & EXCHANGE SCHEME 2011
Print off a copy of these rules HERE
• No Saturday tickets for salmon & sea trout in September and October
• Anglers may only fish Association waters if they have in their possession a valid permit, which must be produced on request by any water bailiff, warden, authorised watcher or fellow member.
• Anglers must comply with any reasonable request from bailiffs, wardens or authorised watchers.
• Current rules should be carried.
• Fly Fishing only between sunset and sunrise (times as advertised in Local Press).
• Hook gape must not exceed 1cm
• All kelts, coloured fish, ripe fish, finnock, 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 anglers 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.
• Anglers are encouraged to return hen fish.
• The annual bag limit for Salmon or Grilse shall be an overall total of not more than 6 fish across all Association waters, no more than 4 from the Ythan, and 4 from the Don.
• No Salmon or Grilse to be retained before 1 st June.
• The annual bag limit for Sea Trout shall be an overall total of not more than 6 across all Association waters.
• The daily bag limit will be an overall total of 6 fish. This figure may include not more than 1 Salmon or Grilse, 2 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, 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 to all visitors
Etiquette/ Behaviour
• No dogs.
• 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.
• 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 other's 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 anglers and should take place within 48 hours of all catches being made .
It is important that all anglers adhere to the catch reporting rule .
This must be done by telephone, number 01569 731949 . It will be a disciplinary offence not to do so (instead of membership number state that you are a visitor when prompted).
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.
Discipline
• Any angler breaching the rules will forfeit the permit issued and will be required to leave the river/loch.
Secretary
• If predators are in evidence notify the Secretary.
• All complaints suggested improvements etc by anglers should be put in writing to the Secretary.
THE FISH
Fish retained for food should be promptly and efficiently despatched. All other fish should be released as quickly as possible. Fish should only be handled with wetted hands; they should never be thrown back in to the water but held facing upstream in running water until they swim free. Where “Catch and Release” is practiced de-barbed or barbless hooks are recommended.
It is also recommended that a single de-barbed or barbless hook is used when spinning no larger then a size 10.
(Additional: Handling and returning fish - Treat fish with care and respect. If they are to be kept, dispatch them immediately with a forceful blow from a suitably hefty instrument. Fish to be returned should be held firmly on a clean, non-abrasive surface and unhooked using forceps. Fish should not be lifted, otherwise unsupported, by the wrist of the tail or damage to the spine may result. Similarly holding up fish by the gill covers may well inflict mortal injury and defeat the purpose of the exercise. The fish should finally be carefully supported in the water, head into the current, any adhering material lightly wiped off and held until it can swim off. This may take a few minutes).
Anglers are encouraged to return hen fish.
FISHINGS
RIVER YTHAN
Season 11 th February – 31 st October
No Salmon or Grilse are to be retained before 1 st June.
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.
RIVER DON
Season 11 th . Feb – 31 st . October for salmon and Sea trout.
1 st . April – 30 th . September for Brown trout.
No worming before 1 st May.
No Salmon or Grilse are to be retained before 1 st June.
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.
Fly fishing for Brown trout permitted on Sundays, south bank 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.
Anglers 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.
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.
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.
Loch of Loirston
Season – Rainbow Trout - all year
Brown Trout 1 st April – 30 th . 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 1 st Nov. to 1 st 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 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.