- NO NIGHT FISHING, fishing is from sunrise to sunset on all club waters. Do not arrive before sunrise and leave by sunset. It is the individual anglers responsibility to check the daily Sunrise/sunset times. The times defined and detailed on line at
https://www.ukweathercams.co.uk/sunrise_sunset_times_by_month.php?id=21674&dt=22-06-2025This is Greenwich Mean Time.
- Prior to commencing fishing all members are to check the notice board (Buscot and Roughgrounds) and be conversant with any changes to the rules relating to the use of club waters.
- Members are to ensure their swim is free of litter and discarded items of tackle , line etc.
before and after fishing their swim. Litter and unused bait to be taken home and discarded.
DO NOT LEAVE BAIT ON THE BANK
- All fish to be returned to the water in a responsible and safe manner without causing unnecessary distress or harm.
- When fishing, members are to respect a distance of 10yards from each other
- All members to be aware that pleasure fishing will not be allowed prior to the start and during a club fishing match. Pleasure fishing can commence after the weigh in has been completed.
- Landowner’s property is to be respected at all times and members are not to commit any damage to property, crops or livestock. In addition members are not to trespass on land which the club does not have fishing rights.
- Only official club access to HAC waters is to be used. In addition, all motor vehicles are to be parked in designated areas.
- Neither the club nor any member of the club or committee shall be liable for any loss or injury sustained by a member or guest arising out of a member failing to perform any duty owed to the club.
- It is the responsibility of all members to ensure their guests comply to all HAC rules.
- Junior members or junior guests (Under 16) are NOT PERMITTED to fish unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Driving down Bushyleaze track to drop off tackle is forbidden.
- The cut at St Johns Lock can be fished from November 1st
Driving down to the weir field to off load tackle or drop anglers off is strictly forbidden. If you do not observe this rule you are liable to be expelled from the club.
RIVER PIKE FISHING SEASON AS PER E.A.LAWS.
- NO NIGHT FISHING, fishing is from sunrise to sunset on all club waters. Do not arrive before sunrise and leave by sunset. It is the individual anglers responsibility to check the daily sunrise, sunset times. Do not arrive in the dark and leave before it gets dark, no overnight parking, be considerate to our neighbours when arriving and leaving.
- THE “ENTRANCE GATE AND ROAD BANK GATE” are to be always closed behind you, if you are first to arrive then please leave the gate/s unlocked but closed. The PADLOCKS are to be CLOSED, AND NUMBERS SCRAMBLED and NOT LEFT OPEN OR CURRENT CODE VISIBLE. Lock codes are to be found on your membership card or handbook, DO NOT ask at Smyrell Farm. LAST TO LEAVE MUST LOCK ALL GATES BEHIND THEM.
- NO CLUB MEMBER IS TO USE THE ROAD BEYOND OUR ENTRANCE GATE behind pegs 26 to 38. SPEED LIMIT within the grounds is 5MPH. Vehicles are to be parked facing the fence NOT side on. The grass overspill area down to peg 15 is not to be used when the grass is wet.
- DOGS are permitted but must be always kept on a lead and under control and it is the owner’s responsibility to clean behind their dog and take it home with them.
- Please check the MAIN NOTICE BOARD located centrally in the car park for any current notices i.e.: – Keep net Bans, Upcoming Matches Work Parties etc. These may also be posted at the MAIN ENTRANCE GATE
- Junior members or junior guests (Under 16) are NOT PERMITTED to fish unless accompanied by a adult(over 18) and on the same platform.
- ONE ROD ONLY to be used from the 1st of April until the 31st of October. TWO RODS can be used (providing the angler is proficient) from the 1st of November until the 31st of March. MAXIMUM of 2 RODS per peg at any one time and the angler MUST BE within 3mtrs of all actively fishing rods
- ALL ACTIVELY FISHING RODS TO BE HELD IN ROD PODS, BANKSTICKS, SUPPORT ARMS OR IN HAND, we have on average 2 rods per year lost in the lake due to the vicious nature of Carp bites and runs. Anglers are only permitted to fish halfway to the next peg or opposite bank, excluding pegs 1 & 2.
- Electronic Bite Alarms can be used but, MUST ALWAYS BE on silent along with remote sounders.
- The FOOTPATH from peg26 to 38 to be always KEPT CLEAR, except for Unhooking Mats/Cradles, Poles and Net Handles, if asked to move said items please do so.
- REGARDLESS of what species the angler is fishing for, they must have AT LEAST 1 landing net of 20inches/50cm MINIMUM available to land any capture, if fishing for Carp and Pike larger nets are to be used.
- Anglers must also have UNHOOKING MATTS/CRADLES of an “APPROPRIATE SIZE” ready for use, these are to be placed behind the peg and not on a platform, unhooking from the lap/ knees is allowed providing the angler is proficient at doing so.
- The use of “KEEPNETS” will be decided by Committee and reviewed on a regular basis. “ALL NETS” must be completely dry before entering the water, to help eliminate disease transfer between waters fished by the angler. All fish kept within a keep net to be returned after 5hrs and DO NOT overcrowd the keep net. Please place larger species into the keep net from your landing net, especially if water levels are low.
- ANGLERS MUST HAVE SOME FORM OF ANTISEPTIC/FISH AID TO TREAT HOOKHOLDS AND WOUNDS ON THE FISH THEY HAVE CAUGHT
- NO BARBED or SEMIBARBEDHOOKS to be used, BARBLESSONLY, MAXIMUM HOOK SIZE 8
- HOOKLENGTHS to be of lighter breaking strain than mainline, BRAID HOOKLENGTHS and MAINLINE ARE NOT PERMITTED, (exception being Pike fishing). The use of any form of LEADER is also not permitted, tubing is acceptable.
- FIXED, SEMIFIXED AND HELICOPTER RIGS ARE NOT PERMITTED, free running rigs only to be used for ledger fishing, THIS INCLUDES ALL FEEDERS (no elasticated feeders), rubber float stops above the lead/feeder are also NOT PERMITTED. ZIG RIGS are allowed but MUST NOT be fished so that the bait is on the surface.
- WAFTERS and POP UPS up to 12mm ARE PERMITTED AS HOOKBAITS ONLY and ARE NOT TO BE USED AS LOOSE FEED. BOILIES, CAT/DOG MEAT, NUTS, SURFACE BAITS AND SPODDING OF PIGEON CONDITIONER ARE BANNED. All other baits i.e.: – Maggots, Corn, Bread, Pellets can be fished as normal with no restrictions.
- FLY FISHING IS NOT PERMITTED.
- PIKE FISHING SEASON will be the 1st of October until the 31st of March.
- 50lb BRAID MAINLINE to be used for DEADBAITING. BARBLESS HOOKS INCLUDING TREBLES TO A MAXIMUM SIZE 6 ALONG WITH WIRE TRACE, HOOK RULING ALSO APPLIES TO LURES.
- NO FRESHWATER SPECIES TO BE USED AS DEADBAITS AND NO LIVE BAITING.
BAITBOATS, FIREARMS AND DRONES ARE BANNED, (unless written authority is given by the Committee). The use of radios is permitted, but must use headphones/earphones. ALL CARP AND PIKE ARE TO BE RELEASED AFTER CAPTUREAND NOT TO BE RETAINED IN KEEPNETS, SACKS OR FLOATING WEIGHSLINGS. NO ENTERING THE WATER FOR TROPHY SHOTS AND ALL PHOTOS TO BE TAKEN WITH THE ANGLER KNEELING AND THE FISH HELD ABOVE AN UHOOKING MAT/CRADLE.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH HAC RULES WILL RESULTS IN SUSPENSION OF
MEMBERSHIP OR EXPULSION FROM THE CLUB
If Unsure about any rules, please contact a member of the committee.
HAC will run a series of 12 matches throughout the year for club members on Roughgrounds lake.
The match dates will be included in the members handbook and also displayed on the notice board.
Matches will run from 1000 to 1500 hrs and competitors are to arrive no later than 0830 hrs with the draw taking place at 0845 hrs. Pools of £10 are to be paid when requested by the match organiser. Once the draw has been made late arrivals will not be catered for.
A LIMIT OF 24 ANGLERS WILL BE IMPOSED FOR EACH MATCH (OPTIMUM 20 to 24)
- The match organiser will decide if conditions are deemed unsuitable or dangerous for fishing to commence and has the power to cancel the match at his discretion. These conditions include, flooding, low water levels, spawning, adverse weather etc.
- Competitors are to fish the peg they have drawn and may move one yard either side of the peg if required. A distance as far as half to the peg either side is to be maintained and when competitors are drawn on opposing banks they are to fish a max of midway across the lake. A competitor must not interfere or cause annoyance to another angler.
- The match organiser is to be informed if a hazard, obstruction or damage to a platform has occurred making it unsuitable to fish from. In which case the closest alternative peg will be offered to the angler by the match organiser
- Prior to the start of match, breaking of water is allowed only for the following. Placing of keep nets, finding water depths/location for floats, location and distance for ledgering and the mixing of ground bait.
- Prior to the start of the competition, no competitor must in any way introduce ground bait or loose feed their swim.
- Each competitor must have only one rod, line or hook, live in the water at any given time during the competition. Assistance may be given if a situation arise that is detrimental to the welfare of a fish, in this case the fish is to be returned to the water and not weighed in.
- Environment Agency approved nets are only to be used and are to be laid out to dry on arrival at your peg. ALL NETS TO BE DRY BEFORE THEY ENTER THE WATER AT ROUGHGROUNDS LAKE
- CARP OVER 5lb to be weighed and witnessed by the closest angler then returned to the water immediately. Small carp up to 5 lbs can be kept in an E.A approved Carp keep net. Max weight in net not to exceed 30lbs.
- All competitors to have an unhooking mat, which is to be used during weigh in.
- Balling in is not allowed. All ground bait is to be fed by cupping kit or feeder.
- Feeding via pole cup whilst fishing other methods, is not allowed.
- On ‘all out’ Anglers will be allowed 15 mins. to land fish.
- Action reqd. by the angler with carp over 5lbs.
- Ensure weigh sling is damp and scales are zeroed with weigh sling attached and witnessed.
- Remove hook from fish and transfer to weigh sling. Use carp mat to protect fish
- Weight to be witnessed by the closest angler
- Safely return fish to the same peg to which it was caught.
- Record the weight of fish, name of angler and peg number on the form provided.
PIKE DO NOT COUNT AND MUST BE RETURNED TO THE WATER IMMEDIATELY
