Rules of membership

1. Licensing & Membership

• Membership: No member shall be on any water controlled by the Beale Park Angling (BPA) for the purpose of fishing, without carrying or having access to display his/her current membership. Membership confirmation should be presented upon request by an authorised bailiff or committee member.
• Rod Licence: All anglers must possess a valid Environment Agency (EA) rod licence and carry it at all times while fishing.
• Guest Permits: Guests are permitted only with a valid guest permit and must be accompanied by a BPA member at all times and the member is responsible for the conduct of that person.
• Waters: Fishing is only permitted on the River and not permitted on any others waters on the Beale Park Estate.
• Conduct of Members: All members shall pursue their angling activities in a sporting manner, having due regard to the rights of property owners adjacent to waters and property controlled by the BPA. They shall conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, not block footpaths, cause nuisance to other river users or interfere with the sport of other anglers.
• Matches: Matches will be given a designated area and members will be advised of upcoming dates to avoid any clashes. Anglers fishing in the designated match area will need to vacate their swim before 9pm the night before a match is due to start.
• Stock: No member shall introduce any species of fish to BPA waters. It is illegal to use live bait not caught on the water being fished or crayfish at any time. No fish shall be taken away from BPA waters including trout. All fish must be returned alive to the fishery from whence they came.

2. Fishing Seasons & Methods

• Close Season: Fishing is prohibited from 15th March to 15th June inclusive, in line with EA regulations.
• Fishing Hours: Maximum stay is 48 hrs. Night fishing is permitted and anglers are permitted to leave their swim for a maximum 90 minute period in any one single 24 hour period. All bait must be removed from the hook when the angler is not in the swim. Night anglers will need to vacate their swims prior to a match at 9pm the night before a match starts.
• Rod Limit: A maximum of two rods may be used simultaneously.
• Bait Restrictions: The use of live bait is prohibited. Use bait sensibly and not to excess, take any unused bait away with you. Ensure any nuts, beans, pulses are prepared in the correct manor before use.
• Hook Requirements: Only barbless or micro-barbed hooks are allowed.
• Line: Braided mainline and leaders are banned for the purposes of carp and pike fishing. A short length (120cm max) of rubbing leader material is acceptable, i.e leadcore or equivalent. The only exception to this is lure fishing and marker/spod use.
• Tackle: Tackle, including rigs and end tackle may be inspected by BPA officials and bailiffs at any time whilst on BPA waters. No member shall use any automatic striking device, or any form of gorge, or gaff hook. Ensure any ‘rigs’ give the fish an opportunity to break free of tackle if in the unfortunate event of a loss.
• Drone, Boats and Bait boats: The use of any drone, boat, punt, inflatable dinghy, or radio-controlled bait boats are prohibited.
• Swims: Do not fish from landing stages, permanent moorings, locks or bridge approaches on canals or within 25metres of locks or swing bridges. Swims cannot under any circumstances be reserved by placing buckets etc in to the swim. Pruning vegetation and cutting of trees is prohibited. Swims will be maintained by BPA officials and/or Beale Park Estate staff.
• Pike Fishing Guidelines

• Suitable tackle must be used. Minimum main line of 15lbs bs for mono. Wire trace of a minimum 20lb b.s. for bait fishing of at least 18″ in length.
• Unhooking equipment must include long forceps (or long nosed pliers), a means of cutting hooks or wire and an unhooking mat.
• No more than two treble hooks per trace.
• You must be within 5mtrs of any baited rods.
• ‘Chinning’ fish from the water is ok but no ‘beaching’ of fish, use a suitably sized landing net. Fish must be returned to the water they came from, quickly with the minimum of fuss. Fish must be supported in water to allow recovery before releasing.
• No fixed leads and no freelining.
• No bait fishing between the dates 1st April & 1st October lure fishing only.
• If using ‘multi hook’ lures they must be barbless Unhooking equipment and terminal tackle must be made available to a warranted bailiff when requested to do so.
• Lures must be of a maximum size of 75mm between the dates 1st April & 1st October.
• If targeting species other than Pike a fluorocarbon trace/leader of an appropriate breaking strain can be used. However, if targeting Pike a 20lb b.s. wire trace must be used.

3. Fish Handling & Conservation

• Catch and Release: All fish must be returned to the water promptly and unharmed. Fish over 10lbs should not be kept in a keepnet. Carp can be placed in a retainer sling but for limited time only.
• Landing Nets: Anglers must use a landing net of appropriate size for the species targeted. Ensure any nets bought onto BPA property are dry.
• Keepnets: Keepnets are allowed for small fish (under 10lb) when used in a match situation. A maximum of approximately 50lbs of fish per keepnet. Any retained fish must be released within 5 hours. Nets must not be less than 35 centimetres diameter and 2 metres long with no knotted or metallic mesh or holes larger than 25 millimetres (EA Byelaws).
• Unhooking Mats: An unhooking mat or cradle must be used for all medium and large fish. No fish shall be placed directly onto hard surfaces
• Weighing Fish: Fish must be weighed over an unhooking mat or cradle.
• Photography: When photographing fish, anglers must kneel over the unhooking mat and support the fish with both hands.

4. Conduct & Safety

• Litter: Anglers are responsible for removing all litter from their swim, including any pre-existing litter. Please use any toilets provided, where not provided ensure you have a means to contain any waste to then be disposed of at home (not on our venues). Any member suspected of not adhering to this will have their permit immediately confiscated pending a disciplinary hearing.

• Fires & Stoves: Open fires and disposable barbecues are prohibited. BBQs must be kept off the ground to avoid scorching any resulting coals to be disposed of properly. Small gas are permitted but must be used responsibly.
• Alcohol & Drugs: The consumption of alcohol should be in moderation. Illegal substances are strictly forbidden on BPA waters.
• Noise: Radios, speakers, and other audio devices must be kept at a volume that does not disturb other anglers.
• Dogs: Dogs should be cleaned up behind and kept under control via a lead at all times. Any member found to have an aggressive animal or one not under control will be asked to leave our venue.
• Power Lines: No fishing within 30 metres of Overhead Power Lines

5. Access & Environment

• Parking: Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only.
• Gates & Fences: All gates must be closed after use; damage to fences, hedges, or other property is prohibited.
• Wildlife & Vegetation: Disturbance to wildlife and damage to bankside vegetation are strictly prohibited.
• Swimming & Wading: Swimming and wading are not permitted in BPA waters.
• Camping: The use ofDiscrete or recognised bivvy or brolly systems – No general camping equipment allowed. No camping in the car parksor sleeping in vehicles.

6. Junior Anglers

Must adhere to the same rules as senior members however further guidelines have been laid out below.

• Supervision: Juniors between 6 and 11yrs must be accompanied by an adult member at all times. We allow Juniors between 12 and 17 yrs to fish unaccompanied by an adult member providing they behave in a safe and responsible manner, hold an Environment Agency rod licence, do not disturb other anglers and abide by our rules and code of conduct. To fish BPA waters they must be in possession of an Junior Membership together with the current BPA Clubmate permit.
• Juniors permit holders can only fish overnight if accompanied by a senior BPA member.
• One landing net and unhooking mat per angler.
• No running or shouting on the banks.
• No non-angling ‘mates’ can be on site.
• No climbing trees, cycling at speed or playing games.

7. Enforcement & Compliance

• Bailiffs: Authorised BPA bailiffs have the right to inspect licences, permits, and tackle.
• Rule Violations: Breaches of these rules may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of membership. Any anglers deemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be escorted off our property and will not then return until a disciplinary meeting is held.