BY - LAWS

1.1. Members must comply with Club rules at all times. The breaking of any Club rule will result in disciplinary action, which could include permanent withdrawal of membership by the Committee. Membership of the Club may be instantly suspended by a Club Bailiff/Officer for a serious offence. Any member charged with rule -breaking will have an opportunity to state their case at a meeting of the committee before any permanent penalty is imposed. 

1.2. All members must behave in a manner that is not offensive to other members, club bailiffs, riparian owners or member of the general public. Excessive noise is not acceptable.

1.3. Club bailiffs are entitled to inspect the swim, tackle and bait of any member fishing a club water at any time.

1.4. Members must also comply with Environmental Agency By -Laws and be in possession of a National Rod License when fishing OACwaters.

1.5. Members are required to observe the close season for coarse fishing 15th March to 15th June inclusive with the exception of certain OAC waters as detailed under the heading of each water.

1.6. Members must be in possession of a current membership handbook when fishing club waters. Failure to produce a membership handbook when asked by a Club Bailiff/Officer or bone fide member will result in the member being requested to leave the water.

1.7. Members are responsible for keeping their swim free of litter at all times (to a radius of at least 2m). They should have a bag or container in their possession for litter removal.

1.8. All fish must be returned to the water alive apart from diseased fish (Chief Bailiff and/or Fishery Management Officer to be informed if this is discovered). 1.9. Members should observe the Country Code whilst on private and public land. Due consideration must be given to the landowner’s rights and, if asked, you are required to show them a valid permit.

1.9. Members should observe the Country Code whilst on private and public land. Due consideration must be given to the landowner’s rights and, if asked, you are required to show them a valid permit.

1.10. Gates to waters must be closed and locked immediately after entry or exit.

1.11. Swims are provided on all waters and platforms on some waters to improve safety. Fishing is therefore restricted to designated swims.

1.12. Members are forbidden to, dig for bait, cut or damage trees, bushes, reeds or other vegetation without the approval of the Fishery Management Officer.

1.13. Cars should only be parked in the designated car park at each •• •••• water. Two cars max on far bank of Kingsley, disabled priority.

1.14. Boats should not be used on OAC waters unless for fishery management purpose under the auspices of the Committee. This includes radio controlled bait boats.

1.15. Fish can only be introduced/transferred into OAC waters under the direction of the Committee and with the approval of the Environmental Agency.

1.16. Wading or swimming on club waters is not allowed unless directed by the Committee.

1.17. No guns, crossbows or weapons of any kind are permitted on club waters unless expressly authorised by the Committee for pest control. Any knives carried must be either fishing equipment or eating utensils.

1.18. Disabled members have priority over swims designed for disabled anglers.

1.19. All members must be in possession of a suitable landing net (landing nets at Rookery and Shortheath must be a minimum size of 76cms (30 inches) across the arms or diameter) and it should be used for all sizeable fish to ensure mouth damage is minimized.

1.20. Any keep net used on OAC waters should be no less than 2 meters in length and 35 cm in diameter (rectangular size 35cm by 30cm) and incorporating a micromesh to avoid damage to the fins of the fish, (excluding Shortheath). No carp, apart from Crucian Carp, are allowed to be put into keep nets when pleasure fishing.

1.21. Sacking / retaining of fish is not permitted.

1.22. For all of the matches listed on the fixture card there will be no pleasure fishing on the venue within two hours of the scheduled start of the match. It will be at the discretion of the Match Secretary, after the commencement of the match, whether swims are available for pleasure anglers.

1.23. No tin cans opened or unopened, apart from drink cans, are allowed on any club waters.

1.24. The loose feeding of floating baits is not allowed.

1.25. Members may fish with a maximum of two rods (excluding Rookery, see Rule 5.6), providing they do not occupy more than one swim and do not inconvenience a fellow member. To avoid dispute, no member may fish more than half way across the water.

1.26. The use of nuts as baits, hook baits or in loose feed is banned. Any particle bait must be prepared correctly.

1.27. No pre-baiting allowed on any club water.

1.28. The use of fishing shelters, i.e. Bivvys, are permitted on all waters, (apart from Kingsley, where only umbrellas are allowed), providing they fit into a swim and do not obstruct paths or cause a nuisance to the public or other anglers.

1.29. Only barbless hooks are allowed on OAC waters.

1.30. A 2kg dry volume of ground bait, pellets or boilies is allowed on any club water in 24 hours.

1.31. No spodding or spombing allowed on any Oakhanger Waters.

1.32. Braided main-line and lead-core are banned. Braided hooklengths are allowed.

1.33. No angler’s rod may be left unattended at any time.

1.34. No live-baiting on any OAC water.

1.35. Fires are not to be lit on land adjacent to club water (except for fishery management).

1.36. Spinning for pike fishing is permitted on Shortheath pond and The Rookery Farm Reservoir during the period 1st October to 14th March.

1.37. All alcohol and illegal drugs are banned on all Oakhanger Angling Club waters.

1.38. No BBQs of any kind are permitted on any Club waters.

1.39. All members that fish Shortheath overnight must have a toilet tent or bucket with a bag and must be visible for the bailiffs to see.

2. Juniors

2.1. Any junior on any OAC water may use only one rod.

2.2. Juniors below the age of sixteen may not night fish any OAC water.