Members (existing and new) should be familiar with the society's latest rules. Every new member gets issued with a physical rule book, but with it not being uncommon for new or alterations to take place each year, it is recommended that members refresh their knowledge each year by viewing the rules below.
Fish welfare is naturally a top priority for the committee and it should be for members too. It's suggested that members take the time to read some useful suggestions on fish handing. The Angling Trust have produced a very useful guide, which can be found here -
How to return every fish in perfect condition: 16 top catch and release fishing tips – Lines on the Water (anglingtrust.net)
Fish welfare is naturally a top priority for the committee and it should be for members too. It's suggested that members take the time to read some useful suggestions on fish handing. The Angling Trust have produced a very useful guide, which can be found here -
How to return every fish in perfect condition: 16 top catch and release fishing tips – Lines on the Water (anglingtrust.net)
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP RULES
1. The Society shall be called the “St Johns Angling Society”.
2. The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, Chairman, Trustees, two Auditors, Honorary Secretary, and Honorary Treasurer, who, with fifteen other members, all elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), shall form a Committee and transact all executive business of the Society. The Committee shall, from its membership, elect a Vice Chairman. The Committee are empowered to increase their number, as they see fit, through the use of co-opted members who shall retire at the next AGM but shall be eligible for re-election.
3. All property owned by the Society shall be vested in the Trustees who shall deal with said property only as directed by the Committee. Any proposal by the Committee to dispose of any land and/or fishing rights, owned by the Society, must be put before the full membership through a postal ballot. The results must be presented at a General Meeting of the Society and no proposal shall proceed unless at least 75% of bona fide members (excluding Juniors) vote in favour.
4. The Committee shall meet as necessary. Five members shall form a quorum. The AGM of the Society shall be held as early as possible in the new year for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports and balance sheet, and for transacting any other business constitutionally brought forward. Ten members shall form a quorum. The duties of all officers shall be in accordance with the recorded minutes and rules of the Society
5. An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society may be called by the Secretary on receipt of a written request, stating business to be discussed, signed by fifteen members of the Society who must attend the meeting.
6. It shall be competent for any member to propose an alteration or revision of these rules, or to raise an item for discussion at the AGM, provided notice of intent to do so is conveyed to the Honorary Secretary in writing on or before the 1st February.
7. Consideration for standard membership will only be given to applicants residing within a 10 mile radius of Worcester Cross and who are sponsored by an adult member of the Society of at least 3 years standing. Associate membership is available (limited to 50) to individuals associated with current members who live outside of the 10 mile radius. These members possess no voting power. The Committee reserve the right to accept/refuse applications as deemed necessary - their decision on membership matters is final.
8. Subscriptions are due on 1st January each year. Any member failing to pay by 1st March may be expelled from membership at the discretion of the Committee. Only bona fide members, carrying a valid subscription receipt, are entitled to fish Society waters. Receipts must be produced for inspection on request. It should also be noted that only bona fide members are allowed on the footpaths and river banks associated with Society waters. There is no automatic “public right of way” over this land. The only exception, in the interests of safety, is a non-fishing adult supervising junior members.
9. Members must familiarise themselves, and comply rigidly, with local Water Authority byelaws at all times. These include the carrying of a current rod licence, observing any close seasons for coarse or game fish, use of legal keep nets, and observing size limits. Current byelaws also forbid fishing an area 15 metres above and 25 metres below Powick Weir.
10. Members must make every effort to protect the environment. Meat tins and other forms of metal bait container are not permitted on Society waters. Before leaving the water, members are required to collect up from the immediate vicinity, and take away, any food/bait wrappers, drink containers, discarded line etc. Leaving litter is viewed very seriously and offenders will forfeit their membership. The lighting of fires on the river bank is strictly forbidden. Members must avoid damaging crops and stay on the recognized pathways. Gates must be kept closed at all times, and locked where applicable, to prevent livestock straying.
11. Dogs are forbidden on Society waters AT ALL TIMES.
12. Camping on society waters is forbidden – this includes enclosed bivvies. Members should be ‘on their rods’ at all times.
13. Fishing of any still waters operated by the Society is subject to the following rules. The use of barbed hooks, surface fishing (including any form of floating baits) and “Boilies” (except for Tooby’s pool and the Memorial Pool only) is forbidden at all times, moderate use of ground bait is permissible. Keep nets can only be used during official Society contests (separate nets for carp and silver fish is compulsory) or pleasure fishing for silverfish on the Millennium Pool ONLY. A maximum hook size of 8 is allowed. A maximum of 2 rods when pleasure fishing are allowed at a time.
14. Maps of current Society waters are available from the Hon Secretary on request. These indicate official parking areas, access paths, and walk ways, which must always be adhered to. Parking on the slip roads from Temeside Way is strictly forbidden. Use of the Central Viaduct car park, adjacent to Temeside Cottage, is restricted to participants in official Society contests and on-duty Bailiffs. Vehicles must display a current Parking Pass at all times.
15. Publicity restrictions are essential in limiting the threat of poaching on Society waters. Members wishing to advertise fish catches, publish articles, or in any way work with the “media”, must FIRST clear the wording with either the Chairman or Hon Secretary. Only officers are authorized to make any statement to the “media”, on behalf of, and/or about the affairs of the Society.
16. Waters allocated for official Society contests are closed to members on the day of the contest for 3 hours prior to the start. Start times are published in the annual “Contest Circular” distributed to members. Where Teme waters are allocated the contest stretch runs from the New Powick Bridge to the confluence with the Severn. The Society’s waters on the Powick Hams are also subject to limited external contest bookings and will be unavailable to members. Dates are published in the Annual Newsletter and members should acquaint themselves with the details.
17. The following rules apply to official Society contests:-
(a) All members taking part in a contest must comply with the conditions set out in the Contest Circular.
(b) All freshwater fish in season are eligible for weighing. Not eligible are Twaite, Lamphreys, and Game Fish.
(c) A competitor must use no more than one rod at a time. The hooks of any other rods and tackle must not be baited.
(d) The use of live or dead bait, spinners, artificial lures, or other than one single hook is not permitted.
(e) Wading beyond one yard of the river bank is not permitted
(f) In “Roamer” contests, participants must return any fish to the water before moving on. Carrying fish between pegs is forbidden.
(g) All fish submitted for special prizes must be caught at a bona fide contest of the Society.
(h) The Challenge Cup shall be competed for in accordance with the decision of the members present and voting at the AGM.
18. Any members found breaking these rules, acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, causing a nuisance to other anglers and users of the countryside, or in any way bringing the Society into disrepute, will be answerable to the Committee who are empowered to expel offenders from the Society.
1. The Society shall be called the “St Johns Angling Society”.
2. The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, Chairman, Trustees, two Auditors, Honorary Secretary, and Honorary Treasurer, who, with fifteen other members, all elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), shall form a Committee and transact all executive business of the Society. The Committee shall, from its membership, elect a Vice Chairman. The Committee are empowered to increase their number, as they see fit, through the use of co-opted members who shall retire at the next AGM but shall be eligible for re-election.
3. All property owned by the Society shall be vested in the Trustees who shall deal with said property only as directed by the Committee. Any proposal by the Committee to dispose of any land and/or fishing rights, owned by the Society, must be put before the full membership through a postal ballot. The results must be presented at a General Meeting of the Society and no proposal shall proceed unless at least 75% of bona fide members (excluding Juniors) vote in favour.
4. The Committee shall meet as necessary. Five members shall form a quorum. The AGM of the Society shall be held as early as possible in the new year for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports and balance sheet, and for transacting any other business constitutionally brought forward. Ten members shall form a quorum. The duties of all officers shall be in accordance with the recorded minutes and rules of the Society
5. An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society may be called by the Secretary on receipt of a written request, stating business to be discussed, signed by fifteen members of the Society who must attend the meeting.
6. It shall be competent for any member to propose an alteration or revision of these rules, or to raise an item for discussion at the AGM, provided notice of intent to do so is conveyed to the Honorary Secretary in writing on or before the 1st February.
7. Consideration for standard membership will only be given to applicants residing within a 10 mile radius of Worcester Cross and who are sponsored by an adult member of the Society of at least 3 years standing. Associate membership is available (limited to 50) to individuals associated with current members who live outside of the 10 mile radius. These members possess no voting power. The Committee reserve the right to accept/refuse applications as deemed necessary - their decision on membership matters is final.
8. Subscriptions are due on 1st January each year. Any member failing to pay by 1st March may be expelled from membership at the discretion of the Committee. Only bona fide members, carrying a valid subscription receipt, are entitled to fish Society waters. Receipts must be produced for inspection on request. It should also be noted that only bona fide members are allowed on the footpaths and river banks associated with Society waters. There is no automatic “public right of way” over this land. The only exception, in the interests of safety, is a non-fishing adult supervising junior members.
9. Members must familiarise themselves, and comply rigidly, with local Water Authority byelaws at all times. These include the carrying of a current rod licence, observing any close seasons for coarse or game fish, use of legal keep nets, and observing size limits. Current byelaws also forbid fishing an area 15 metres above and 25 metres below Powick Weir.
10. Members must make every effort to protect the environment. Meat tins and other forms of metal bait container are not permitted on Society waters. Before leaving the water, members are required to collect up from the immediate vicinity, and take away, any food/bait wrappers, drink containers, discarded line etc. Leaving litter is viewed very seriously and offenders will forfeit their membership. The lighting of fires on the river bank is strictly forbidden. Members must avoid damaging crops and stay on the recognized pathways. Gates must be kept closed at all times, and locked where applicable, to prevent livestock straying.
11. Dogs are forbidden on Society waters AT ALL TIMES.
12. Camping on society waters is forbidden – this includes enclosed bivvies. Members should be ‘on their rods’ at all times.
13. Fishing of any still waters operated by the Society is subject to the following rules. The use of barbed hooks, surface fishing (including any form of floating baits) and “Boilies” (except for Tooby’s pool and the Memorial Pool only) is forbidden at all times, moderate use of ground bait is permissible. Keep nets can only be used during official Society contests (separate nets for carp and silver fish is compulsory) or pleasure fishing for silverfish on the Millennium Pool ONLY. A maximum hook size of 8 is allowed. A maximum of 2 rods when pleasure fishing are allowed at a time.
14. Maps of current Society waters are available from the Hon Secretary on request. These indicate official parking areas, access paths, and walk ways, which must always be adhered to. Parking on the slip roads from Temeside Way is strictly forbidden. Use of the Central Viaduct car park, adjacent to Temeside Cottage, is restricted to participants in official Society contests and on-duty Bailiffs. Vehicles must display a current Parking Pass at all times.
15. Publicity restrictions are essential in limiting the threat of poaching on Society waters. Members wishing to advertise fish catches, publish articles, or in any way work with the “media”, must FIRST clear the wording with either the Chairman or Hon Secretary. Only officers are authorized to make any statement to the “media”, on behalf of, and/or about the affairs of the Society.
16. Waters allocated for official Society contests are closed to members on the day of the contest for 3 hours prior to the start. Start times are published in the annual “Contest Circular” distributed to members. Where Teme waters are allocated the contest stretch runs from the New Powick Bridge to the confluence with the Severn. The Society’s waters on the Powick Hams are also subject to limited external contest bookings and will be unavailable to members. Dates are published in the Annual Newsletter and members should acquaint themselves with the details.
17. The following rules apply to official Society contests:-
(a) All members taking part in a contest must comply with the conditions set out in the Contest Circular.
(b) All freshwater fish in season are eligible for weighing. Not eligible are Twaite, Lamphreys, and Game Fish.
(c) A competitor must use no more than one rod at a time. The hooks of any other rods and tackle must not be baited.
(d) The use of live or dead bait, spinners, artificial lures, or other than one single hook is not permitted.
(e) Wading beyond one yard of the river bank is not permitted
(f) In “Roamer” contests, participants must return any fish to the water before moving on. Carrying fish between pegs is forbidden.
(g) All fish submitted for special prizes must be caught at a bona fide contest of the Society.
(h) The Challenge Cup shall be competed for in accordance with the decision of the members present and voting at the AGM.
18. Any members found breaking these rules, acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, causing a nuisance to other anglers and users of the countryside, or in any way bringing the Society into disrepute, will be answerable to the Committee who are empowered to expel offenders from the Society.