CLUB RULES
SWIMMING & WATER SAFETY

Swimming is strictly prohibited at all times. Even on a hot day the water in a reservoir is very cold and this could kill very quickly. Hidden debris and other hazards make it a very dangerous environment for dogs and people alike.

Complete Rules For Visitors & Members

1. Permits & Licenses

i. Permit Requirement:
  • i.a. A Day, Half-Day or Junior Permit must be purchased before commencing fishing at The Club.
  • i.b. Members should register their planned patronage.
  • i.c. Reserving and registering your intended time at The Club will ensure no overbooking of fishing spots or equipment. If you fail to reserve or register your visit beforehand and arrive on the day and there are no spaces and/or equipment available, The Club does not hold any responsibility.
(See Section 2 for booking options).
ii. Statutory Rod Licences: In addition to a Club permit, anglers must have a valid fishing licence for England and Wales. This is required for anyone aged 13 and over to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line. This is issued by the Environment Agency and is obtainable online or from main Post Offices.
iii. Membership Enquiries: Memberships can be requested via the Online Reservation System from the website, email, or the Club House by letter or phone.
iv. Non-Transferability & Limits:
a) All tickets and memberships are strictly non-transferable.
b) Strict adherence to the daily limits described on each permit type is mandatory.
v. Limit Reached: If an angler reaches the limit detailed on their permit, fishing must cease immediately. An additional permit may be purchased if spaces are available.

2. Reservations & Booking System

i. Channels: Anglers may reserve permits, boats, electric outboards and enquire about memberships via the Online Reservation System or by telephoning The Club House on (01424) 870498.
All of these channels feed into a master schedule. This is strictly controlled to ensure The Club provides a controlled and therefore tranquil fishing experience for our Members and Visitors alike.
ii. Advance Booking Windows:
  • Shareholders: Up to 6 months in advance. (Maxiumum 5 active reservations)
  • Members: Up to 6 months in advance. (Maxiumum 5 active reservations)
  • Day Visitors: Up to 3 months in advance. (Maxiumum 5 active reservations)
iii. Fishing, Boat and Outboard Allocations & Usage:

a) Members have allocated fishing spaces, boats and outboard engines reserved for each day of the season.
b) Boats and outboards must be booked in advance.
c) Only the number of the boat and outboard that was reserved and allotted at the time of booking (unless The Club requires changes, these will be communicated prior to arrival) may be used.
d) Any boat and/or outboard reservation not taken up by 11:00 a.m. may be re-allocated by The Club.
e) If a boat is released early, your name will be cleared from the calendar and system for that day.
(See Section 3 for detailed boat safety and operational rules).

3. Membership & Benefits

i) Annual membership entitles the holder to fish year-round with no seasonal restrictions.
ii) Fishing along the dam and from the bank can commence from 6:30 a.m. through to the end of the day, usually 1 hour before sunset. Boats and outboards will be available from the Club House from 8:30 a.m.
iii) Boat and outboard discounted rates: All members can have use of a boat with an electric outboard for £10 for the day. Please see the prices page for more details. If booking online, discounts will be automatically applied.
iv) Membership allows 3 visitor day permits per year and unlimited junior visits.
v) Juniors are defined as youths of 17 years or under.
vi) A maximum of 1 Junior can accompany a member on any single day. This is primarily for saftey reasons.
vii) Juniors must be accompanied by a member who is responsible for the Junior at all times while on club premises.
viii) Membership runs from 1st January to 31st December each year.
ix) Membership fees can be paid by:
  • Cheque
  • Cash
  • Card (Debit or Credit card online or via the Club House)
  • Direct Debit over 3 months
x) Applications and renewals for the forthcoming year can be completed online or submitted in writing to The Club, and must be requested by December 31st of each year.

4. Liability, Health & Safety

i) Risk Acknowledgment: Open water, slippery concrete dam facing blocks, uneven terrain, and deep soft mud present inherent natural hazards. Anglers and visitors must exercise due care and caution at all times when moving across Southern Water Authority and club property.
ii) Compulsory Buoyancy Aids: The wearing of a properly fitted buoyancy aid or lifejacket is compulsory for all persons using club boats at all times.
iii) Potable Water Protection: Powdermill is a source of public drinking water. Dead coarse fish or dead trout found on the premises must be returned to the fishing lodge for safe disposal by the bailiff and must never be left on banks or in boats. All refuse must be placed in the containers provided or taken home.
iv) Car Park: Anglers must use only the designated free car park provided, avoiding driving or parking on the grass, particularly during wet conditions.
v) Dogs and other Pets: No pets are allowed (Guide and Care Dogs on leads can be onsite with prior permission. We have resident Geese and other wildlife), no radios, bluetooth devices, no mobile phones on speaker and no littering..
vi) Ice Hazard: Walking, skating, or venturing onto frozen reservoir ice is strictly prohibited at all times due to extreme collapse and drowning hazards.
vii) Biosecurity (Check, Clean, Dry): Anglers should adopt biosecurity best practices by checking, cleaning, and drying all fishing tackle, nets, and waders before and after visiting the fishery to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The club provides dipping stations with clear signage. All items that will be used in Powdermill (for example landing nets, outboards - lower shaft and propellers - and drogues) must be dipped prior to fishing.
viii) Swimming Prohibition: Swimming is strictly prohibited at all times. Reservoir water presents severe cold water shock and deep hazard risks to humans and animals. Unauthorized swimming or entry onto the water constitutes a breach of Water Authority bylaws and trespass, and legal action or prosecution may be pursued through the relevant authorities.
ix) Alcohol, Drugs & Substance Control: The consumption of excessive alcohol or the possession and use of illegal drugs or non-prescribed controlled substances is strictly prohibited anywhere on club and Water Authority premises. The club has a zero-tolerance policy for safety reasons. Any visitor or member under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be refused entry, asked to leave immediately, and subject to further action up to and including exclusion from visiting in the future.
x) Picnic tables are freely available to use and food and beverages can be brought onto the premises. No portable barbeques are allowed or any temporary structures (i.e. Tents). Tea and coffee making facilites are offered free of charge in the The Club house. These are kindly donated by a Member.
xi) Disposal of Line: Proper and safe collection and disposal of discarded leader material - chop up into very short lengths, and/or use a purpose-made disposal device. Bins are freely available at the Club Hut and next to the green Aerator Generator Hut in the Car Park. No line, flies, or litter are to be left anywhere on the Grounds.
xi) Signage: Clear safety and guidance signage is displayed around the Club grounds. Please read and follow all posted instructions for your own safety, the protection of the water supply, and the enjoyment of all members and visitors.

5. Recording Catch Returns

i. Catch Returns: At the conclusion of fishing, all anglers must record their day's sport, including nil returns.
ii. Nil Returns: Nil returns must also be completed.
iii. Submission Methods: Returns can be submitted digitally via the online catch-return portal at a time of your convenience or by completing and depositing the physical card which is located in the weighing room.
iv. Strict Compliance: Strict compliance is required for fishery management to monitor stock levels to ensure the best experience for members and visitors can be maintained.

6. Operating Hours

i. Members: Members may fish all year round with no seasonal restrictions, between 6:30 a.m. and close. (See Section 3 for additional details).
ii. Visitors: The fishery opens for visitors and day ticket holders from 8:30 a.m. onwards, subject to availability up to December 31st.
iii. Closing Time: Fishing for all anglers is permitted until the closing time defined by the bailiff and posted in the fishing lodge or weighing room. This shall be no later than one hour after sunset (maximum 30 minutes post-sunset). If a closing time is not declared, fishing will cease at sunset.
iv. Boats and Outboards: Boats and outboards will be available only from the time the club house is open, which shall be 8:30 a.m.

7. Detailed Regulations

i. Duration: A day's fishing is from 8:30 a.m. (6:30 a.m. for members) until sunset or when the day's limit has been reached. ia. Rod Numbers: One rod can be fished at any single time. Additional rods can be set up and carried with you ready to be used. ii. Inspection: Anglers must show tickets and submit fish for inspection upon demand to the bailiff, club servants, or Water Authority representatives, and log details via catch returns (online or in the weighing hut). iii. Bag Limits & Size:
  • The limit is defined by the ticket type and includes all trout caught or released during the fishing trip.
  • Only fish longer than ten inches from snout to tail can be taken.
  • Any sizeable trout must be retained.
  • Fishing must stop when the Permit limit is reached.
  • A second permit can be purchased if there is availability.
  • Availability is defined as an open and bookable fishing spot for the rest of that day.
 iii.a. Catch and Release: If you intend to practice catch and release, true barbless hooks (not de-barbed hooks) must be used. When releasing fish, keep them in the landing net and water where feasible and avoid handling them. To note: Catch and Release may be suspended during periods of high water temperatures. iii.b. Landing Nets: A landing net is compulsory to fish. If you do not have one, the club can lend you one free of charge, if available. This must be returned at the end of fishing. Landing nets for catch and release must be fitted with a knotless mesh. iii.c. Priests: A capable tool to dispatch fish, should be carried by all anglers, at all times; sometimes fish need to be dispatched - even when engaging in catch and release iii.d. Electronic/Artificial Aides: The use of electronic fish finders, camera lures, drones or any other aide is forbidden iv. Brown Trout: Brown trout must all be released and are not to be taken. These can be caught on both barbed and barbless hooks. When releasing fish, keep them in the landing net and water where feasible and avoid handling them. iv.a. Seasonal Times: Members have year-round privileges. These are defined and managed by the directors and may be updated with due notice. v. Methods of Fishing:
  • Fly fishing only from bank or boat using one rod and line with artificial fly (floating or sinking).
  • Dapping with a blow line is allowed.
  • Casting from a moving boat is permitted, but trolling flies behind a moving boat is strictly forbidden (this entails putting a line into the water behind the boat and moving the boat while the line remains in the water).
  • Spinning, threadline fishing with non-fly-based controllers/weights, and ledgering on the bottom with static floating flies are prohibited.
  • Unattended rods and lines are forbidden.
  • A maximum of two droppers plus a point fly.
  • Any fly with a total length of more than 3 inches is forbidden.
  • Treble hooks are forbidden.
 vi. Wading: Permitted except on the dam, restricted strictly to thigh waders maximum. Chest waders are not allowed. vii. Boat Regulations: Subject to booking rules (Cross-reference Section 2, Rule iii) and compulsory buoyancy aid requirements.
  • Wheelyboats are prioritized for members and visitors with mobility impairments or accessibility needs. To ensure safe operation on the water, users who require physical assistance with boat handling, mooring, or emergency response must be accompanied by a capable assistant or companion.
  • Float Tubes or non-Club owned boats (including dinghies) are prohibited
  • No person under 17 may take out a boat unless accompanied by their responsible adult
  • All Juniors & Adults must wear buoyancy aids while in a boat
  • Boats can be shared by up to two anglers with a maximum 3 persons in total, which includes non-fishing companions
  • It is strictly forbidden to bring boats onto concrete dams or within 50 metres of the dam
  • Minimum distance of 50 metres from bank fishers and 40 metres from other boats
  • Moving across another boat's drift is prohibited
  • Anglers may bring their own electric outboard, drogues or boat seats
  • Battery hire is available
  • Boat seats or studded boots that risk floor damage to the boat are prohibited
  • Oars and anchors are supplied. If an Anchor gets stuck, simply untie it from the boat leaving the bouy attached. This will be recovered by the fishery at a later time. If you loose an oar, request assistent from other Boats or call the lodge if you are able to. Otherwise land at the nearest point and walk to the Club House for assistence.
 viii. Breaches & Trespassing: Any person breaching rules will be treated as a trespasser and may be removed from the premises. ix. Ticket Cancellation: Tickets are non-transferable. The club and Water Authority reserve the right to cancel or refuse day tickets. x. Wildlife: Do not interfere with wild birds, our resident geese, nests, or feed wildlife. xi. Pollution & Property: Pollution, urination, defecation, littering, or damaging fences, valves, sluices, and Water Authority property is strictly forbidden. Toilet facilities should be used and are located in the club house. xii. Equipment & Communications: Radiosor Bluetooth Speakers are forbidden. Mobile phones can be used freely but must not be put on speaker or at a volume that disturbs fellow anglers.

8. Rule Enforcement, Discipline & Appeals

i) Bailiff Authority: The Bailiff and under his direct instruction, his deputies and defined persons, interprets rules and issues verbal or written instructions that must be followed.
ii) Urgent Suspension: Directors or the bailiff may temporarily suspend privileges immediately for safety or serious violations.
iii) Fair Disciplinary Process: For serious or repeated breaches, individuals will receive written notice detailing allegations and a minimum 14-day window to respond or request a meeting (right of reply).
iv) Right of Appeal: Members and visitors may appeal disciplinary withdrawals in writing within 7 days of notification for review by an independent panel or the full Board of Directors.