N, B. for the purpose of these rules’ membership classification is as follows:

Adult members over 18 years of age Juvenile members 12 to 17 years of age,

1. The society is named ‘STONE PRIVATE ANGLING CLUB’ Membership cards must have a recent photo attached inside the membership card or a valid clubmate membership. Anyone fishing without a membership card and without having a recent photo attached will be asked to leave the water. When fishing please leave membership cards on visual display for bailiffs to check (Except for juniors fishing with an adult member).

2. The annual subscriptions are as follows, Adults £50 Juveniles £25

3. Adult members may be accompanied by a junior for the purpose of fishing providing:

4. The junior is under 12 years of age.

5. The junior does not prevent another adult or junior member from fishing.

6. Juvenile members may fish unaccompanied except for night fishing, you must be 18 or over to night fish unaccompanied, any junior regardless of age fishing on a junior membership will not be allowed to fish without being accompanied by an adult, any junior who turns 18 can upgrade their junior membership to an adult membership and pay the difference.

7. Subscriptions, for new licenses, commence on 1st January. A license is valid from the day of purchase until December 31st. Any members without a new license, after 31st December, will not be allowed to fish SPAC waters; until their membership has been renewed

8. Members are allowed the use of two rods from the same peg, 3 rods allowed on Longton, Parkhall, Lady Corner pool and Smithpool provided there are no more than 3 anglers fishing, or at bailiff’s discretion

9. Reports of members causing inconvenience to other members/fishery owners or using abusive or threatening behaviour to any bailiff, or not complying with a bailiff will be dealt with by the Committee and may lead to expulsion from the club.

10. Damage caused accidentally or otherwise to landowners’ property, must be reported to the landowner, bailiff, and Club Secretary.

11. Dogs are not allowed on club waters unless permission has been granted in writing by the landowner and S.P.A.C (to be reviewed every 12 months). Except for Parkhall, Lady corner Pool, Longton Park and Smithpool but must be always kept on a lead

12. Litter left by members on landowner’s property will result in action being taken against the offending members. NO TINS OR CANS ARE TO BE TAKEN TO THE WATERS. No fires allowed under any circumstances

13. Annual General Meeting proposals are to be submitted in writing to the Secretary, 21 days prior to the meeting except for proposals concerning membership and subscription

14. The secretary may call an emergency general meeting whenever this is necessary.

15. All matters concerning contests/matches are to be dealt with by the match secretary (and Assistants) outside the monthly meetings. His/her findings are to be brought forward at the appropriate monthly meeting.

16. Members are allowed two guest tickets only per day.

17. A) Guest tickets must be signed by the secretary/treasurer or authorised persons. Guest tickets also available from the clubmate app.

b) Guest & day tickets will be £5.00 per rod (open to revision) and must be purchased prior to fishing. Fishing is dawn until dusk regardless of time of year.

c) All members are responsible for their guests and must accompany them to ensure that the club rules are enforced.

d) Under 12’s can fish free on day ticket waters, providing they are with an adult. If the adult wishes to fish then they must pay for a day ticket, the child still fishes free once the adult has purchased a day ticket

18. A) All members must abide by the club rules, failure to do so could lead to your expulsion

B) Rules will be policed and enforced by club bailiffs

C) Club members must have a valid rod licence, and a club bailiff can ask to see your rod licence

19. Any problems on any water must reported to either a club official or designated bailiff

20. Carp sacks are banned on all club waters.

21. No retaining of Carp at any time, all Carp must be returned within 15 minutes Catch and release within 15 minutes maximum, weigh, take photo, return immediately

22. Only Carp fishery approved keepnets to be used

23. Fish over 3lb must not be retained under any circumstances in nets.

24. Drugs and alcohol are prohibited on all waters, breaking this rule will not be tolerated anyone found in possession will be removed from the waters

25. Barbless hooks to be used on all waters. This still applies, but proposal put forward to allow micro barb hooks, awaiting council decision before being able to implement rule change

26. Floating baits are only allowed on Wild’s pool’s and Hobbergate, no floating baits on any other water

27. No Tiger nuts allowed on any water

28. Do not move more than 5 metres away from your rods when baited hooks are in the water

29. No live baiting on any water

30. A) All night fishing must be booked in to a bailiff, failure to book in could result in you being asked to pack up and leave

B) Night fishing is members only, no guest’s allowed

C) There is a maximum 3 nights fishing, unless 7 days’ notice has been given to a bailiff or club official

D) Anyone leaving their peg unattended and leaving equipment on that peg will have their equipment removed, unless in an emergency, if anyone has to nip home or shop then please let the pool bailiff or official know, we can’t have pegs taken up and stopping other members from fishing if no one is there

31. Under no circumstances are any fish to be removed from any water without prior notification from club officials and, or the Environmental agency. Anyone removing fish from any pool unauthorized will be expelled with immediate effect and where possible prosecuted for theft. Anyone found introducing fish into the waters will be banned with immediate effect and reported to the EA.

32. Members may take one non fishing guest with them, to accompany them whilst fishing.

33. The guest can only fish if a guest ticket has been purchased prior to fishing.

34. Any wheelchair user must have an able-bodied minder to assist them whilst fishing on club waters. The minder is exempt from the club’s insurance and so helps the wheelchair user at their own risk.

35. If you are fishing in a designated Wheelchair peg, you will be expected to move if asked to by a wheelchair user

36. All anglers fish on our waters at their own risk. The club holds no responsibility for loss, theft or damage of any property brought on site, and all anglers and guests fish/visit at their own risk

37. No refunds will be issued to any member under any circumstances

38. Unhooking mats must be used at all times, no matt no fishing, wherever possible please use a cradle

39. Carp/fish care treatment should be always carried when fishing

40. There will be a Pike season 1st October to 31st March inclusive, no fishing for Pike outside these dates, barbless trebles only and a wire trace to be always used, where possible a rubber coated landing net is recommended, also a minimum of 10-inch forceps and wire cutters should be carried when Pike fishing. There will be no spinning or lure fishing outside the Pike season, and a suitable unhooking mat must be used at all times

41. Please respect others fishing boundaries

42. Any member convicted in a civil court of any fishing related offence will have an automatic 2-year ban and will then have to come before the committee to explain their actions before being allowed back into the club

43. Members are only allowed to enter the water to safely net fish, only up to a depth up to the groin, no swimming allowed at any time, and anyone entering the water does so at their own risk

44. When carp fishing a minimum of 6-inches rig tubing must be used, lead core is banned. Also, a minimum 42inch landing net required

45. Anyone spodding must use a shock leader no less than 20lb B/S

46. The head bailiff (or nominated person) for each pool will be responsible for ensuring a risk assessment is completed prior to any work party

47. Paper memberships will now expire 31st December not 31st January

48. Awaiting clarification from the City Council on the use of bait boats, if allowed this will only be for persons who hold a blue disabled badge

49. When carp fishing on specimen waters lines no less than 15lb b/s must be used and minimum hook size 8. When pleasure fishing maximum 10lb b/s and maximum hook size 10

50. All club officials and bailiffs will require a DBS check, but firstly need to check with the club’s insurers before becoming a full rule, awaiting confirmation then will revue again

51. Anyone wanting to become a club bailiff must have first of all been a member for 12 months and required to help on 4 work parties.

52. Notice boards to be installed on all waters, to look more professional, awaiting council decision before proceeding

ADDENDUM

Parkhall has some shallow pegs, therefore no one is allowed to enter the water and anyone who does so, enters the water at their own risk. Please see rule 44

The club will not accept any responsibility for any member who enters the water.

A club member can purchase a guest ticket to take someone to fish the pools

NOTE

Some rules on certain waters are different due to maintaining them, or ownership.

Please read the rules for that specific on that water’s notice board before fishing or ask a bailiff

Guest tickets are available from, Bailiffs and designated outlets, and clubmate app, the guest tickets are sold to the member, who must accompany and is totally responsible for their guest (Rule 17 applies).