Mark.H.V.Corps

IFI Angling Advisor

Marine & Countryside Guiding

FETAC Level 6

Rules of conduct

List 10 rules you would

impart to your clients

Fishing Ethics

Ethics are an innate set of principles & practices that recognise respect & order in the human race. Most sports & outdoor activities have their own ethics & principles

• Supporting conservation efforts - supports local resource management to preserve fishing for generations to come

• Practice C&R – knows how / when to fight & release fish in a manner that gives the fish (especially little ones) a fighting chance at survival

• Appreciates the importance of a clean environment - a good angler avoids littering at all times

• Pollution kills fish

• The practice of proper recycling & trash disposal is crucial it prevents pollution & keeps our environment clean

• Practice safe angling & boating – understand / observes safe boating practices. An angler can have more fun knowing that everyone is safe. Safety should be the number one priority

• Follow Fishing & boating regulations Observe the rules / regulations implemented in the bodies of water to ensure safety & order

• Respect other anglers' rights – this means being courteous to others & not intruding other people's spaces. Anglers will have more fun fishing when they respect each other

EA - Golden Rules

• Angling benefits our environment in many ways. If you spend hours by the water, you learn to appreciate the natural world. This often leads to an interest in protecting it. But the places you fish are important for wildlife too

• Inexperience or a little carelessness with your gear can easily harm wildlife – and the good image of angling

• Always take your litter & equipment away with you

• Discarded nylon line is dangerous for birds & animals

• Take line home, burn / cut it into short lengths before disposing of

• Rigs get caught in vegetation, branches or other snags. If you can, remove caught rigs immediately, but don’t put yourself at risk

• If you can’t recover a rig / lose terminal tackle, tell the club bailiffs / fishery owner, they can arrange to remove it

• Use tackle that is the right size for the fish you are planning to catch

• Choose your swim with care

• Be careful not to disturb nesting birds

• Avoid places where people feed waterfowl

• Once you have set up your equipment for

angling, always stay with your rods. It is illegal

to leave setup rods unattended

• If you need to leave your swim, stop angling, gather together your lines /secure hooks to the rod

• Try to lose as little line as possible in the event of snagging. Use a hook length with a lower breaking strain line than the reel line

• Remember weaknesses occurs at knots where line is joined / tied to swivels / where shot are pinched onto the line

• Check line for signs of wear & damage. Remove damaged line

• Where possible, use barbless hooks or reduced barb hooks

• Lead weights are illegal in most sizes. Non-toxic weights are widely available & used whenever possible

• Help new anglers if you see beginners using unsuitable tackle

• If a swan, large bird / animal, is caught cut the line immediately. Never hold onto the line, as this may cause severe injury & distress. Report the incident to the Swan Sanctuary. Their hotline is 01932 240790

DRAFT

IFI Code of conduct

Angling Code - Freshwater

Principals of the code • Environment - all anglers should be actively

concerned with protecting the environment

• Conservation - angling & management of

fisheries, should be conducted so healthy fish

populations are maintained

• Behaviour - moderation, courtesy &

consideration for others are the marks of a

sporting angler

• The Sport - there is more to fishing than

catching fish

• Anglers are the watchdogs of the water &

environment

• Any sign of deterioration, poaching, pollution

or other areas of concern must be reported

immediately to IFI on the 24 hr hot line –

1890347424

• The report should include:

'What' - has been noted

'Where'- the occurrence was seen

'When' - the event was noticed

'The Extent' - of any pollution

• Anglers should take care to avoid damage to

the waterside or disturbance to wildlife. No

tackle / litter must be discarded. Anglers need

to be aware of the hazards to wildlife from

monofilament nylon

Fish • Anglers should familiarise themselves with

relevant legislation in relation to their target

fish

• Anglers should consider the sustainability of

stocks above their need to take fish

• Fish retained should be promptly & efficiently

despatched, others released as quickly as

possible

• Tackle should be appropriate to the target

species

• Fish should be played out quickly

• Fish handled only with wetted hands

• Kept in the water as far as possible

• Held facing upstream in running water /

upright in still water until they swim free

• Where 'Catch and Release' is practised

barbless / single hooks are recommended

• Do not move fish from one site to another

• Fishing Conduct - angling as a sport & recreation

is a fragile & personal experience, which can so

easily be disrupted by external interference

• Water space is in great demand from anglers &

other activities, therefore its enjoyment has to

be shared. The following should be observed by

anglers

• Ensure you have permission to fish; do you

have the appropriate licence & permits?

• Observe the bounds of any beat to which you

have been assigned

• Be prepared to give way after you have fished

a drift or pool & never fish too long in one

place

• Never crowd or obstruct an angler near you

on the bank or in a boat

• Avoid unnecessary wading

• Give consideration to anglers on the opposite

bank

• Make sure you can distinguish between

takeable & non takeable fish

• Where there are no bag limits, exercise

restraint in the number of fish taken

particularly when fish are easily caught

• 'Blank days' are part of the experience of

fishing

• Acknowledge considerate behaviour by other

legitimate water users

• Follow the Country Code

• Wear unobtrusive clothing & respect the

peace of the countryside

• Do not park vehicles so that they obstruct

gateways or cause a hazard on the road

• Support the organisations which safeguard

your sport

• Salmon & Sea Trout - all immature salmon &

sea trout (parr & smolts) must be returned to

the water, this also applies to kelts

• The law regarding 'unseasonable' fish

approaching spawning is less specific. Heavily

coloured fish, both cock & hen, are of no

culinary value & should be returned as quickly

as possible. The rule is 'If in doubt - return

immediately'

• Anglers are urged to keep only those fish that

they can personally use because overkill

endangers future sport

• Wild Brown Trout - a policy of restraint is

requested regarding the number of fish killed.

Never kill more than can be used and return

others carefully

Pike

• Are easily damaged if subjected to excessive

angling pressure / poor angling practice /

delayed striking / poor handling / unhooking.

Inexperienced anglers should seek help before

taking up pike fishing & purchase the correct

equipment. This should include

• Forceps (8 inch min)

Pliers

Unhooking mat

Health & Safety

You should

• Wear head & eye protection

• Look behind before casting

• Keep rods & lines away from overhead

electric power lines

• In an electric storm cease fishing, put the rod

down & move well away

• Wash hands before eating

• Carry a small first aid kit with plasters &

antiseptic cream

• Inform friends / family where you intend to

fish & what time you will return

• Consider carrying a charged mobile phone

• When wading in difficult conditions use a

wading stick & always have one foot firmly on

the riverbed

• Wear protective buoyancy aids wherever

appropriate & be familiar with the locations &

use of any other buoyancy or life saving

equipment provided by fishery owners

• Be prepared to help anyone in difficulty

Countryside Code

• Be safe - plan ahead & follow any signs

• Leave gates & property as you find them

• Protect plants & animals & take your litter home

• Keep dogs under close control

• Consider other people

• ‘Follow the Countryside Code wherever you go. You will get the best out of the countryside & help to maintain it now & for the future’

Respect - Protect – Enjoy

Questions?