Membership
1. The Subscription Year will run from 1st. January to 31st. December. Annual subscriptions are due on 1st. January of each year, irrespective of the date on which the previous licence was issued.
2. All Full Members must be proposed by an Officer or Committee Member of the Association, and seconded by a Full Member.
3. Full Members wishing to renew their licence may do so from 1st. November of each year and before 1st. February of the following year. Failure to comply will automatically disqualify the right to a renewal, and a new application with a proposer and seconder will be required.
4. Full Members who move outside of a 20 mile radius of Newton Abbot may retain their Full Membership subject to their continued annual payment of subscriptions at the applicable rates.
5. Concessionary Membership is available to senior citizens, (as defined by state retirement age), and those who are registered disabled in either Full Membership or Associate Membership categories. Membership rights will be the same as those of non - concessionary members.
6. The purchase or renewal of membership of the Association in any category (including the purchase of day tickets) shall be deemed as acceptance of the Constitution, Rules and Bylaws of the Association.
General Requirements, Conduct and Behaviour
7. Any member of the Association found to be involved in activities either contrary to the aims of the Association, or liable to bring it into disrepute, shall be liable to disciplinary action in accordance with the rules of the Association.
8. All persons who fish waters controlled by the Association must be in possession of a current NAFA licence or day ticket, and the appropriate Environment Agency Rod Licence. Anglers who are unable to produce a NAFA licence/day ticket will be requested to leave the water, and shall be subject to further action by the Committee. (Copies of licences are not acceptable).
a) Non members are not permitted to enter NAFA property unless accompanied by a member.
b) A maximum of one non member is permitted to accompany an NAFA member who shall be held responsible for all their actions.
c) All non-members are to abide by the NAFA rules and byelaws. Any member flouting this rule will be immediately banned from Association waters, and will be subject to an early disciplinary hearing.
9. Any member or non-member who breaches the Rules and Byelaws of the Association must leave the premises if requested to do so by a NAFA Officer or Bailiff, (the bailiff’s decision is final), . Further action may be taken against the member as deemed appropriate by the Committee.
10. All persons entering onto NAFA controlled premises do so entirely at their own risk, and are subject to all Rules and Byelaws. The Association does not accept any responsibility for the loss, theft or damage to any member’s or non member’s property whilst on property controlled by the Association.
11. Excessive consumption of alcohol, or the consumption of non-medicinal drugs upon NAFA property is not permitted. Any person found to be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs will be immediately requested to leave, and will be subject to further action as the Committee deems fit.
12. No dogs are allowed on the Rackerhayes complex other than with the written permission of the Secretary. At other waters, dogs are to be kept under control at all times, with the use of a leash if necessary, so as not to annoy other anglers or endanger wildlife.
13. All efforts should be made to keep noise to a minimum. Audio equipment may be used, but the volume is to be controlled so as not to offend other anglers.
14. No caravans, camping tents, fires or barbecues are permitted without the authority of the Committee. Angling shelters are to be specifically designed for angling, and are to be of a colour to blend in with the surroundings.
15. No boats, drones or rafts are permitted on the waters of the Association unless used in conjunction with an authorised working party. This rule includes the use of Bait Boats and Drones.
16. Anyone believed to have left litter or discarded line in their swim shall be immediately suspended from the Association, and subject to an early disciplinary hearing.
17. Swimming and wading are banned on all waters owned or leased by the Association for all reasons other than to save the life of a person who is in the water. With the exception of official NAFA work parties. Disciplinary action will be taken as seen fit by the committee.
18. No cycles or motorcycles are to be ridden on the Association's property at any time.
19. No firearms, air weapons or crossbows are to be brought onto NAFA property. The Committee may, at its discretion, authorise approved persons to carry firearms for the control of predators. Any member contravening this rule will be subject to an immediate life ban.
20. At the discretion of the Committee the scaring of predatory birds that feed on fish may take place on NAFA waters periodically. Members will be given warning via the Association's web site and local tackle shops. The waters in question may be closed for a short period to enable this to take place.
Rules Relating to Fishing
21. Fishing at the following waters shall be restricted to Full Members of the Association:
Dores Pond, Rackerhayes
Bradley Pond, Bovey Tracey
22. Members may use two rods in any one swim from April 1st. to September 30th. From October 1st. to March 31st. three rods may be used. The onus is on the member to ensure that they have the relevant E.A. Rod Licences.
23. Subject to the provisions of Rule 24 (see below) all fish in waters owned or leased by the Association are the property of the Association, and must be returned alive to the water from which they were caught.Any member found moving fish between Association waters without the approval of the Committee will be immediately banned from all Association waters, and subject to an early disciplinary hearing.
24. Small Roach, Rudd and Perch may be caught and used as live bait on the Association's waters only. These fish are not to be removed from the Association's waters or moved between ponds.
25. Lure fishing will be allowed during the pike season as stated in rule 29. Members are requested to ensure that they do not disturb other anglers.
26. Subject to the exceptions regarding artificial lures, and live or dead bait fishing for pike; only one single barbless hook, or one single hook with a squashed down barb per rod is permitted on all waters of the Association.
27. Artificial lures fitted with treble hooks are permitted provided that the hooks are barbless or the barbs have been fully squashed down. Hooks with fully squashed down barbs should not snag in material such as fleece. This is a quick and easy method of ensuring that your hooks comply with these rules.
28. Tether rigs must not be used on any waters at any time. A non-tether rig is designed so that if the line breaks, the terminal tackle (lead) must be free to slide off the line in order not to trap or snag the fish. If braid is being used as a main line one of the following must be fitted between the braid and the hook link:
- Monofilament shock leader
- Lead core leader
- Rig tubing sleeve of not less than 24” in length
29. Pike anglers fishing live or dead baits must use a main line of at least 15lb. breaking strain and a wire trace of a minimum length of 375mm (15 inches) and a breaking strain of at least 20lb. They may use:
- One or two single hooks OR
- One treble hook OR
- A combination of one single and one treble hook
- They must carry appropriate unhooking devices such as forceps. The use of a gaff is strictly prohibited and an adequate landing net must be used at all times.
- Pike fishing Season 1 st October to 31 st March only.
30. Anglers fishing Association waters for specimen carp and pike fish should be in possession of an unhooking mat specifically designed for the purpose. It should be at least 36” x 24”. Additionally, anglers should have a suitable sling to safely transport fish back to the water. They should also be in possession of an approved fish antiseptic for the treatment of hook marks or abrasions.
31. Restrictions on Wheel and Wapperwell Ponds,
Max mainline 8lb
Max 2lb test curve rods
Max size 12 hook
No braid hook lengths
This is due to damage caused to fish stocks, these waters are used to bring on fish for other association waters.
32. All carp are to be returned to the water immediately after capture, and may be retained in sacks for a maximum duration of one hour. All sacks used for the retention of fish are to be at least 120cm x 90cm (48” x36”) and specifically designed for the purpose. They should be constructed of a soft, dark coloured, non-abrasive, water permeable fabric. The Committee and Bailiffs may, at their discretion introduce a ban on the use of carp sacks at certain times of the year.
33. All keep-nets are to have a circumference of not less than 120cm (48”), with supporting frames not more than 40cm (16”) apart. The minimum length will be 2m (78”). Carp Fishery Approved keep-nets are preferred. Carp are not to be retained in keep-nets with the exception of those caught during club competitions.
34. Unless it is necessary in order to rescue trapped persons or wildlife, no member shall cut trees, weed swims or alter the bank in any way without the permission of the Bailiff of the water.
35. No nut baits may be used on any waters at any time.
36. Excess groundbait must not be thrown into the water when leaving the swim.
37. Any angler caught and proved to have left baited rods unattended in the water will be immediately suspended from the Association, and subject to an immediate disciplinary hearing. (Anglers are required to be in the same swim as their rods)
38. No swim may be reserved. Anglers are not permitted to be absent from their swim for longer than two hours.
39. Members must withdraw their line if they are encroaching into another swim. In the absence of other anglers you may fish to extended points, but must withdraw if another angler moves into the extended area. Any angler failing to observe this rule should be reported to the Committee who will take appropriate action.
Rules Relating to Young and Junior Members
40. No unaccompanied angler under the age of 18 years may stay on property controlled by the Association from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Junior Members under the age of 16 and over the age of 12 years can night fish on association waters but must be under supervision of a Full or Associate Member over the age of 21 and fish in the same peg. There are no exceptions to this rule. This includes 24 hour tickets. Members 16 and over but less than 18 years of age with full or associate membership may night fish under the supervision of a Full or Associate Member over the age of 21 in the next peg. This includes 24 hour tickets. Members 16 and over but less than 18 years of age with full or associate membership may apply to night fish unsupervised by completing the appropriate application form available on the website or by contacting; newtonfishing@hotmail.co.uk. Completed applications should be returned to the Hon. Secretary. Applicants must not night fish unsupervised without committee approval.
41. No junior day tickets will be issued for Wapperwell Pond. Junior’s full members must be accompanied by a member over the age of 21 who will fish in the next swim. This rule does not apply to Junior Matches organised by the Association where there will be adequate supervision.
42. Any angler under the age of 12 years is not required to purchase a NAFA membership provided that they are under the full supervision of, and are fishing in the same swim as a Senior Member who is over the age of 21 and has a valid licence or a day ticket
43. No Junior Members are permitted on the walkways or floating platforms in Dores Pond unless accompanied by an adult over the age of 21 years.
Rules Relating to Matches and Competitions
44. Members competing in Association matches and competitions shall fish to the rules of the Angling Trust.
A copy of these rules will be either on display or available at every event. Entry into any match or
competition shall be deemed as acceptance of these rules.
45. With regard to Association matches (not open matches), a valid licence to fish the Association's waters will be shown when applying to enter the competition or purchasing a ticket to do so. Any angler failing to produce a current licence will be excluded from the event.
46. In pegged out matches or competitions the relevant pond(s) will be closed one hour prior to the draw. Any angler not fishing the event must leave the water at that time.
47. No competitor may fish / practice on the venue within 24 hours of an event's start time.
48. All anglers must retain fish in two keep nets. One for silver fish and one for carp.
49. If unforeseen circumstances arise, such as flooding, a venue may be changed by giving notice at the earliest opportunity to Members via local tackle shops and notices displayed on the Association notice boards at the waters affected.
50. Matches will be on designated waters, and the match fixture list will be printed in the Association's Handbook.
51. Vacant swims on waters being used in a match or competition will NOT be available to Members who are not fishing the event.
52. In the Festival Match Dores, Island, First and Linhay ponds will be closed from 15.30 until 21.30 on the Friday of the match, and between 04.00 and 12.30 on the Sunday of the match.
53. No tickets will be sold on the day of a match. The draw for all matches will close one hour before the start of the match, except in the case of evening matches where the draw will close 30 minutes before the start of the match.
54. The Match Secretary or Assistant will have the final say in all disputes relating to matches. The Committee will uphold the decision of the Match Secretary or Assistant.
Powers of the Committee, Bailiffs and Full Members
55. In the case of any dispute, the decision of the Committee shall be final.
56. The Committee reserves the right to refuse the renewal of any NAFA membership.
57. The Committee reserves the right to add or omit waters available for fishing at any time, without recourse or compensation to any member.
58. The Junior Officer and the Bailiff of Wheel Pond have the power to close or reserve swims at Wheel Pond at their discretion for the purpose of holding educational / teach-in events. A minimum of 48 hours’ notice will be given to members.
59. Under the terms of the Data Protection Act, the NAFA reserves the right to hold and maintain personal information relevant to the Members of the Association, who, from time to time, may receive correspondence from the Association relating to the business of the Association.
60. Bailiffs of the Association are appointed by the Committee. Members must show their licence if requested to do so. Additionally, Bailiffs have the authority to:
Check keep nets, carp sacks and bags.
Request members to withdraw their line from the water to enable them to inspect terminal tackle.
Impose measures or restrictions that they believe are reasonable, and that may not be covered by the rules of the Association, subject to a subsequent review and decision by the Committee.
61. Replacement of lost membership cards will be subject to a £5.00 administration charge