News

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27th April 2026

Please note the 1st Aggregate fishing match will be held on Sunday 10th May 2026. The lake will be closed until 3:00pm that day.

For those attending the match meet at 8:30am, draw at 8:45am, fish 10:00am to 3:00pm

27th April 2026

As per the rules please note you are now allowed to use one rod at Roughgrounds. Please follow the rules for using rods

17th April 2026

At last nights committee meeting the following statement was agreed. We want all members to enjoy your leisure time, however on the other hand, not make life difficult for us by not complying with the club rules. So please take time to ensure you are conversant and if you are not sure ask the question.

To all members new and old welcome to the new season 2026-2027. The committee wishes you to have an enjoyable fishing experience in a friendly and safe environment. We believe however having experience issues in the past, now is the time to remin all members of the following.

Rules have been examined by the committee in order for them to remain relevant and are contained in the 2026 handbook. Hence we ask you the member to play your part and ensure you are conversant with the club rules and our code of conduct.

Please be respectful if you are approached Bailiff(s)/committee members who may wish to check , your membership, bait, net size, unhooking mats, cradles, rigs and proximity to rods etc.

We place health and safety paramount therefore we state – NO NIGHT FISHING. Fishing times are from sunrise to sunset. Arrival and departure at Roughgrounds lake must be made with sufficient day light  to see and NOT IN THE DARK.

To enhance out security CCTV is active at Roughgrounds and any incidents will be logged and reported to the committee.

Fish welfare and handling is of the most importance and we have asked that this year that all anglers have to have in their possession antispetic spray, which is to be used as required.

Failure to apply to HAC rules, will result in suspension or explusion.

Finally should any member have difficulty in following our club rules or find that you dislike how the club is managed, we would ask that you request to relinquish your membership and we will refund you pro rata.

20th Oct 2025

ALL MEMBERS TO NOTE
NO NIGHT FISHING ON HAC WATERS
THIS INCLUDES OUR STRETCHES OF THE RIVER THAMES AS WELL AS ROUGHGROUNDS LAKE.
You are to be in possession of your club card at all times when fishing HAC waters and are to show this card when asked by an HAC Bailiff or club official.
This includes the club river stretches of the River Thames.
Non members can purchase a River day ticket from RV TACKLE AND BAIT, THE TROUT INN LECHADE and LECHLADE POST OFFICE. Please make sure you carry your day ticket with you at all times, 

 

 

2nd Aug 2025

All anglers are to make sure their rigs are free running. Fixed and semi fixed rigs are not allowed.

To be clear the following rigs are banned from usage at Roughgrounds as they are not free running rigs. 

 

2nd Aug 2025

HAC COMMITTEE NOTICE 2 AUG 2025

THIS IS A REVISED VERSION MADE ON – 30 MAY 2024

I believe now is a timely reminder to all members to take a few minutes to ensure you are familiar with and understand what membership entails and the protocols together with our club ethos.

This is not a debate it is a reminder to ensure all anglers adhere to the handbook, club notices, the club web site and Facebook notices ( the club encourages all members to join the HAC Facebook page), together with instruction from club bailiffs.

In the past we have had incidents of a car driving down the track to Bushey Leaze and getting stuck, recurring instances of leaving rods unattended, electronic bite alarms with sound turned on and anglers using 2 rods after the deadline. Insufficient landing net size or no landing net at all !

More recently we have had a car driven at high speed in the car park, the gate left open by a departing member. together with the port a loo being left in a filthy manner: We have also had instances of discarded oversize hooks and braid fishing line found in and around the lake area.

As alerted previously ( see recent FB posts) the Magic Twig rig and Pre tied Carp fishing hair rig with double hooks are not to be used at Roughgrounds, furthermore all rigs are to be free running. Fixed or semi fixed rigs are not to be used at Roughgrounds.

For your additional information the club has now invested in 24 hr surveillance cameras for the security of Roughgrounds.

Finally common sense is to be used at all times, we cannot incorporate every eventuality into the handbook, or other communication methods, hence we rely on you the angler to ensure your fishing session is, safe, enjoyable, does not infringe the rules and protects the environment together with our fish stocks.

 

23rd Nov 2024

Note the following rule amendment. When using 2 rods from 1 Nov to 31 Mar, only 2 rods maximum on each peg is allowed.

 

11th Oct 2024

A few members are still failing to comply with the club rules. It is you duty as a member to make sure you are familiar with all club rules. As a quick reminder some of the key rules are, always use barbless hooks, a sensible fishing mat or cradle is required at all times, a large landing is required the club states a  minimum size of 18 inches diameter in the rule book. No braid to be used at all, other than for predator fishing. Free running feeder and ledger rigs to be used all the time, no semi fixed or bolt rigs allowed. Boilies in any shape of form are not allowed

 

13th July 2024

We are still finding braid rigs around the lake. Please note in the rules it clearly states no braid allowed. Also we have found abandoned rigs with barbed hooks. Again no one should be fishing with barded hooks at all. Its against the rules. If anyone is caught using braid or barded hooks they will be banded from the club. Also we should not be finding abandoned rigs at all. Take your rigs and line home with you please.

Also a number of angler have been caught fishing with very small landing nets for carp. This is totally un accepted. The rules state a minimum of 18 inch landing nets. Ideally if carp fishing specifically large 30 inch landing nets or bigger are preferred. If general fishing then it is suggest two landing nets are required. One for silvers and a larger landing net for any carp that may be caught.

30th May 2024

HAC COMMITTEE NOTICE
Last year this post was placed on FB I believe now is a timely reminder to all members to take a few minutes to ensure you are familiar with and understand what membership entails and the protocols of our club. In addition to the post below, this year already we have had incidents of a car driving down the track to Bushey leys and getting stuck to drop off members at peg 38. not only is this not allowed the gate at peg 38 has been locked for security reasons since last year. Now Ron is having to do rig checks again because of the recent braid hooklength rig ( see his post ). I think most would agree that the club is tolerent in many instances however we will take a harder line in the future.
Last years post : –
The committee reviewed the rules for all aspects of fishing last year prior to the new handbook going to print. The rules are considered to reflect the best interests of anglers, environment and of course our fish stocks.
All members should be conversant with the information contained in the handbook and especially the rules applicable to the type of fishing you elect to choose.
Several instances have been reported to the committee recently, of infringements of the rules, hence this reminder to all members.
Recurring instances of leaving rods unattended, electronic bite alarms with sound turned on and using 2 rods have all occurred recently. In addition a BBQ has been used on a platform which has damaged the rubber matting. Furthermore the Bailiff reports rubbish has been dumped at the lake.
This is a friendly reminder and not a debate to ensure all anglers adhere to the rules contained in the handbook. Finally common sense is to be used at all times, we can’t incorporate every eventuality into the handbook, hence we rely on you the angler to ensure your fishing session is, safe, enjoyable, does not infringe the rules and protects the environment together with our fish stocks.
Signed HAC Committee
 
 
 

 

HAC COMMITTEE NOTICE

26 APR 2023

The committee reviewed the rules for all aspects of fishing last year prior to the new handbook going to print. The rules are considered to reflect the best interests of anglers, environment and of course our fish stocks.

All members should be conversant with the information contained in the handbook and especially the rules applicable to the type of fishing you elect to choose.

Several instances have been reported to the committee recently, of infringements of the rules, hence this reminder to all members.

Recurring instances of leaving rods unattended, electronic bite alarms with sound turned on and using 2 rods have all occurred recently. In addition a BBQ has been used on a platform which has damaged the rubber matting. Furthermore the Bailiff reports rubbish has been dumped at the lake.

This is a friendly reminder and not a debate to ensure all anglers adhere to the rules contained in the handbook. Finally common sense is to be used at all times, we can’t incorporate every eventuality into the handbook, hence we rely on you the angler to ensure your fishing session is, safe, enjoyable, does not infringe the rules and protects the environment together with our fish stocks.

Signed HAC Committee

 

 ATi