A) MEMBERSHIP
A.1 Taunton Angling Association has chosen to move to an on-line solution, Clubmate, for the management of memberships and the booking of day tickets on Association waters.
A.2 Clubmate Mandatory Registration:
A.2.1 All individuals wishing to become or maintain membership in the Association must complete the registration process through Clubmate, the authorised membership management platform.
A.3 Clubmate Registration Process:
A.3.1 Each prospective member must provide their personal details, including but not limited to name, contact information, and any other required data, as specified by the registration form on Clubmate.
A.3.2 Membership is only valid upon successful registration with Clubmate and approval from the Committee.
A.4 Clubmate Maintenance of Membership Status:
A.4.1 Existing members must ensure their membership details are kept up to date on Clubmate.
A.4.2 Failure to maintain an active or correct membership profile on Clubmate may result in suspension or termination of membership privileges, as determined by the Committee.
A.5 Data Privacy and Security of Information within Clubmate:
A.5.1 The Association shall comply with all relevant data protection laws and regulations in relation to member data submitted in Clubmate.
A.5.2 All personal information provided during the registration process shall be used exclusively for membership purposes and shall not be disclosed to third parties without prior consent from the member, except as required by law.
A.6 All members shall agree completely and unequivocally to observe the Bye Laws and Regulations of the Association.
A.7 It shall be an offense for any member to fish in Association water without being in possession of an appropriate, valid, Environment Agency rod license.
A.8 Any member fishing Association waters does so at their own risk.
A.9 A subscription of an amount defined by the Committee shall be paid to the Association by each member.
A.10 All persons under the age of eighteen years shall be considered Junior members and required to pay subscriptions as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee.
A.11 No member under thirteen years of age, shall be allowed to fish on Association waters unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
A.12 No member under sixteen years of age, shall be allowed to be fish Wych Lodge unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
A.13 Full Senior Season Permit holders may purchase a permit to allow the use of three rods on the River Tone and West Sedgemoor Drain provided one swim is in use.
A.14 Subsidised Club permits are available to senior citizens and to persons registered as disabled, proof of age/disability may be required.
A.15 In consideration of regular attendance at Committee meetings during the previous season, a Committee Member shall be entitled to a free season membership. In the event of missing three meetings in a calendar year, the Committee Member forfeits the privileges of the free season membership.
B) POSSESSION OF MEMBERSHIP
B.1 When fishing Association waters, all members are responsible for providing suitable evidence that they are members of the Association.
B.2 All members must produce for inspection their membership details at the request of any Taunton Angling Association club bailiff and comply with any reasonable directions given by the bailiff.
B.3 Any member unable to produce evidence of a current membership or water booking registered via the Association Clubmate membership management platform, when requested to do so according to the provisions of the preceding Regulation, shall be required to leave the Association’s water forthwith.
B.4 When fishing on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, all members must produce for inspection their membership ticket at the request of any Canal and River Trust staff and comply with any reasonable directions given by Canal and River Trust Staff.
B.5 The Association membership is not transferable.
C) FISHING ON ASSOCIATED WATERS
C.1 When fishing Association waters a full senior member can use three rods on the River Tone and West Sedgemoor Drain, providing a three rod permit is purchased and only one swim is used at any one time (one swim being ten meters either side of the angler). Rods shall be placed such that the distance between the butt ends of the rods does not exceed three meters (as per EA bye-laws), the member must be in possession of the EA three rod license.
C.2 Fishing is allowed from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. All anglers must be off the venue one hour after sunset and are not allowed back on the venue until one hour before sunrise. Under no circumstances are any angler, other than Maunsel Lake 2 night permit holders, allowed on any venue between these times.
C.3 Night fishing is only permitted at Maunsel Lake 2. All anglers must be in possession of a night license. The Association reserves the right to refuse any application.
C.4 Night fishing at Maunsel Lake 2 is only allowed for a maximum 48 hrs in any one session, no return within 24 hrs. Any angler who contravenes this rule will immediately forfeit their night fishing permit and no refund will be given.
C.5 The River Tone and the West Sedgemoor Drain are closed for ANY type of fishing from March 15th to June 15th inclusive.
C.6 All fish must be returned alive to the water. Any fish deaths must be reported.
C.7 No fish to be taken away or moved under any circumstances. To do will give rise to a criminal prosecution under Schedule 1 of the Fish Theft Act 1968.
C.8 Fishing is only permitted from the bank, not from boats, kayaks, etc.
C.9 No fishing within 30m (100ft) of overhead power lines.
C.10 Any member fishing the Bridgwater and Taunton canal must comply with Canal and River Trust’s “Better Towpaths for Everyone” policy: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/support-us/our-campaigns/stay-kind-slow-down/towpaths-for-everyone.
C.11 Any member fishing the Bridgwater and Taunton canal must comply with Canal and River Trust Canal Fishing Regulations: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/fishing/canal-and-river-fishing-faqs#canal-fishing-regulations
C.12 All members should ensure they follow the “Check, Clean and Dry” guidance to stop the spread of Invasive Aquatic Species. https://www.nonnativespecies.org/what-can-i-do/check-clean-dry
C.13 Any member fishing the Bridgwater and Taunton canal must comply with the Canal and River Trust “waterway Code for Anglers and Boaters”. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/go-boating/a-guide-to-boating/waterway-code
C.14 No fishing in a lock and within 25 metres of a lock wall approach or movable bridge.
C.15 Pre-baiting is only permitted if ALL anglers at the venue have been first asked and agree.
C.16 Nut baits are not to be used for pre-baiting and must be used sensibly whilst fishing.
C.17 The minimum size of keepnet for fishing in club matches shall be 2 meters long by 1.2m circumference. Mesh must be knotless with internal circumference of 25mm or less. Keepnets must be made of fish friendly mesh.
C.18 No Salmonids/Trout to be retained in a keepnet.
C.19 Carp under 5lb may be retained in a suitable keepnet when pleasure fishing.
C.20 The Association reserves the right to place temporary bans on the use of keepnets on Association waters. E.g. In prolonged hot weather, lack of oxygen in the water, algae blooms, etc.
C.21 All anglers must be in possession of a suitably sized landing net. All fish must be treated with care whilst on the banks. No fish to be placed on the bank. An unhooking mat or landing net must be used during the un-hooking process.
C.22 The following rules apply to all anglers when pike fishing:
C.22.1 Anglers must always use a wire trace (minimum 18 inches long).
C.22.2 The minimum main line strength must be 15lb mono, or 30lb braid.
C.22.3 Anglers must use a fit-for purpose unhooking tool such as a larger pair of forceps/long nose pliers and be in possession of side cutters.
C.22.4 Anglers must have a landing net with arms of 36 inches or a round frame of 30 inches.
C.22.5 Anglers must use a suitably sized unhooking mat.
C.22.6 Under no circumstances must boga grips or gaff be used (these are banned on all waters).
C.22.7 No deadbaits to be used for pike fishing before October 1st or after March 14th.
C.22.8 The use of live baits is strictly forbidden.
C.23 All anglers are encouraged to visit the Pike Anglers Club website for information on fish care, safe tackle and rigs. https://pacgb.com
C.24 No pike to be retained in keepnets.
C.25 No angler is to leave his rods unattended with a baited hook in the water (maximum 25yds from rods).
C.26 Anglers must use barbless, whisker or micro-barb hooks on still waters (ponds and lakes)controlled by the club. These waters are Wych Lodge Lake, Maunsel Ponds and Pines Pond. Under no circumstance are you allowed to use fully barbed hooks on these waters. The association reserves the right to check your tackle at all times. Any angler using fully barbed hooks will be asked to leave the venue and a written warning will be issued. If caught on a subsequent occasion, the angler will be banned from the club for a period of one year.
C.27 The use of bait boats on all club venues is banned.
C.28 No automatic rod holder strike devices to be used on any venue. This Includes the OMC Magic Twig.
C.29 The following rules are applicable to Maunsel Lake 2:
C.29.1 No Junior member/day angler is allowed to fish Maunsel Lake 2 unless accompanied by a Senior member/day angler aged 18 or over who is also fishing, and at a ratio of 1 to 1’.
C.29.2 All anglers fishing Maunsel Lake 2 for carp must be in possession of a 42inch landing net.
C.29.3 All anglers fishing Maunsel Lake 2 are to remain behind their rods at all times whilst baited and in the water.
C.29.4 All anglers fishing Maunsel Lake 2 for carp are to be in possession of antiseptic carp care treatment which is to be used following a capture on hook holds, sores, lifted scales etc.
C.29.5 All anglers fishing Maunsel Lake 2 for carp are to be in possession of unhooking mat with a minimum size of 1.0m x 0.5m and thickness of 40mm protection on the base.
C.29.6 All anglers fishing Maunsel Lake 2 for carp are to be in possession of a retaining sling in order to safely weigh and return fish back to the water.
C.29.7 Any angler found to be breaking the above rules will lose their ticket and membership.
D) CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
D.1 Any member wilfully disturbing wildlife or game will be expelled at once.
D.2 Members must take care when entering a field were livestock is present and ensure that all gates are closed behind them.
D.3 Any member reported wilfully damaging grass, hedges or banks will to be expelled from the club. Digging of any bank is strictly prohibited.
D.4 No vehicle may be parked on land adjoining club waters without prior permission of the landowner.
D.5 Any person intending to fish a swim MUST clear all litter in the immediate area BEFORE FISHING. Any person found fishing in a spot containing litter shall be deemed to be responsible for the same and will be liable to forfeit his/her membership of the Association pending a hearing by the Committee.
D.6 No member may carry an offensive weapon onto the fishing grounds nor may they use any article in a threatening manner.
D.7 No member shall behave in an aggressive manner towards any person.
D.8 Members are responsible for the behaviour of any non-member accompanying them on the Association waters.
D.9 No alcohol or drugs, i.e. Cannabis, is to be consumed or taken on Association waters.
D.10 Strictly no dogs allowed whilst fishing any Association water.
E) POWER OF WATER BAILIFFS
E.1 Every Water Bailiff appointed by the Association and issued with an Association Water Bailiff’s Warrant shall be empowered under the bye-laws of the Association:
E.1.1 to require any member to produce evidence of Association membership,
E.1.2 to require any person unable to produce such evidence to give their name and address and to cease fishing and to leave the Association’s property,
E.1.3 to direct any member to comply with any of the Association’s Bye-Laws and Regulations,
E.1.4 to carry out and implement such policies and directions as the Committee.
E.2 Every member shall comply with the reasonable requirements or directions of the Association Water Bailiffs
E.3 Where it appears to an Association Water Bailiff that any member has committed a breach of any of these Regulations, then they shall notify it to the Committee.
F) DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
F.1 Where it appears to the Committee that a member may have committed a breach of any of these Regulations, then the Association Secretary shall serve notice on such member, details of the alleged offence(s) and the procedure for dealing with the matter.
F.2 Members shall be requested to either:
F.2.1 Admit to the alleged offence(s) and agree to allow the Committee to deal with the matter in their absence and without a formal hearing. Members may submit whatever written or verbal evidence they may wish to the Committee in mitigation of the alleged breach of the bye-laws. OR
F.2.2 Deny the alleged offence(s) and give notice to the committee within 14 days of service of the allegations, that they wish to appear before the committee to give evidence in person.
F.3 Failure to respond to any notice of alleged breaches of the bye-laws, will result in the matter being dealt with by the Committee at its own discretion.
F.4 The Committee shall carry out whatever investigation is deemed necessary, following notification of any breach of the bye-laws and deal with such matters as outlined above.
F.5 Upon completion of such investigation and / or any personal hearing requested by a member, the committee shall determine any sanction to be imposed on a member.
F.6 At any hearing before the Committee held at the request of a member under Regulation F.2.2 above;
F.6.1 The Committee may rely on such evidence as it thinks fit in considering the alleged breach or the member’s case;
F.6.2 The member may make representations in support of his case;
F.6.3 At the conclusion of the hearing the Committee shall notify the member of their decision and if they shall find that the alleged breach has been committed by the member, of the penalty to be imposed;
F.6.4 In deciding on any penalty for the purpose of Regulation F.6.3 above, the Committee may take such course of action or impose such exclusion or suspension from the Association, or such other penalty as it may think fit and the Articles allow.
F.7 A member shall have the right to appeal by notice in writing to the Committee against any decision or part of a decision of the Committee taken according to the provisions of Regulation F.6.3 above, such notice to be given to the Committee within 14 days of the decision of the Committee.
F.8 The member shall not have the right to attend and be heard on appeal to the Committee without the permission of the Committee, but may submit representations in writing.
G) CONTESTS
G.1 All matches will be organised at the discretion of the Match Secretary. Any sweepstakes must be approved by the Match Secretary.
H) HEALTH AND SAFETY
H.1 No member shall undertake any maintenance or other work on any Association controlled land or water where fishing rights are held.
I) WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT RELATING TO THE ASSOCIATION
I.1 Guidelines for the use of the Association website and Social Media pages are provided in the Association Social Media & Website Content Guidelines.
I.2 Members must only use the website and Social Media pages only for lawful purposes in accordance with the Guidelines provided in the Association Social Media and Website Content Guidelines.
I.3 You are strictly prohibited from using the Association website, including any contact forms or community features, to:
I.3.1 Harass, abuse, or bully any person, including fellow members, club officials, or bailiffs.
I.3.2 Post or transmit any material that is offensive, threatening, abusive, hateful, or inflammatory.
I.3.3 Engage in anti-social behaviour or cause “needless anxiety” to any other user.
I.3.4 Discriminate based on race, sex, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
I.4 In accordance with the Association Bye-Laws, any member whose conduct is deemed “injurious to the Association” through the misuse of this website may face:
I.4.1 Immediate suspension or termination of their website access and club membership.
I.4.2 A formal inquiry by the Committee.
I.4.3 Reporting to the relevant authorities if the conduct involves illegal online harms or threats.
I.5 As per the Association’s Safeguarding Policy, any instances of online bullying or abuse should be reported immediately to the Club Welfare Officer.
I.6 The club maintains a zero-tolerance policy for verbal or physical abuse toward anyone, regardless of their status of membership, which extends to communications sent via the social media of the website.
