2024 Angling Club Rules for the River.

NO SUNDAY FISHING ON RIVER OR FIRTH

  1. Permits. Members will carry their laminated BAC permits whilst fishing at all times and must produce it if asked to do so. If any club member is not carrying their permit, they must not fish. If a permit should be lost a replacement may be had from the committee for a £10 fee.
  2. SALMON: Remains at Category 1 for the 2023 season. Therefore the conservation measures will be as follows: Under the Conservation of Salmon (Annual Close Time and Catch and Release) Regulations 2014, it is an offence to retain any salmon caught before April 1st. By law all fish must be released.  From the 1st April to the end of June the Fishery Board recommends that all salmon should be released since we now know from scale samples that Springers are running until the end of June. Every effort should be made to ensure no harm is caused to fish prior to release. From the 1st July to the season end the board recommends that only one cock fish weighing less than 8lbs may be retained per angler per week with a maximum of 3 cock fish per angler for the season. All hen fish and any cock fish over 8lbs should be returned. All coloured and unseasonable salmon and grilse must be released. The committee endorses these recommendations.
  3. SEA TROUT will be as before, that is – ALL fish below 3/4lb to be released, ALL fish above 3lbs to be released. Fishers are allowed to keep 2 per week and a bag limit of 6 fish per person for the season.
  4. Brown Trout Fishing. The Club does not have the Brown Trout Fishing rights so ALL Brown Trout caught in Beats 1,2 and 3 must be returned.
  5. River Conduct. On the club water, all anglers must move down one metre at every cast, irrespective of whether or not any other anglers are waiting. The angler arriving first, at either side of a beat, has the right to fish down the water first, followed by other rods in order of their arrival. An angler, on landing and returning a Salmon or Grilse, shall not continue fishing but take their turn should other rods be waiting. If they should lose a fish, they may continue.
  6. Extent of fishing. The water between Lovat Bridge and Wester Lovat is Fly fishing only, NO treble hooks are allowed – the use of de-barbed or barbless hooks is encouraged. On the Firth Fishings, starting at Wester Lovat seaward, fishing is by rod and line only. Fishing with multiple rods or fixed lines is strictly forbidden.
  7. Damage. Whether fishing on Club or Other Waters, Members are liable for any damage they cause; the Club will not be held responsible or liable for any costs in this respect.
  8. Competitions – any member booking a place as a member of the BAC in a competition is due to pay for that space unless they give a week’s notice of not being able to attend or find a replacement.
  9. Other waters. When fishing other waters on exchange tickets or by invitation, the rules of those clubs or associations must be adhered to all times.
  10. River Beauly fishing seasons: Salmon, Grilse, Sea Trout & Finnock: 11th February to 15th October. Brown Trout: 15th March to 6th October.
  11. Scale Samples. From all fish caught and kept scale samples, together with an estimated length and weight, are to be submitted to the Ness & Beauly Fisheries Trust. The club recommend anglers to take scale samples of exceptional fish for future testing with a group to be announced.
  12. Use of boats. Unless provided by the owners of waters being leased or rented by the Club, there is a strict policy of no boat fishing. This includes the use of float tubes, pontoon boats or other craft on club waters.
  13. Right of access/countryside code. Club members should familiarise themselves with the rights of access in Scotland and the Countryside Code.
  14. Bass. Sea Bass are occasionally caught in the Firth Fishings; the rules around this are changing regularly so members should check the current rules before fishing the firth. Catch and Release of all Bass is encouraged by the Committee.
  15. Catch returns. As a tenant of Lovat Estate, the BAC has a legal duty to complete a timely and accurate annual catch return for submittal to the Scottish Executive. Members will therefore make their annual catch return to the designated committee member no later than the 31st October. An email return is acceptable and nil returns are required. Failure to make a return will result in a £10 fine on re-joining and may result in the loss of membership.
  16. Junior members cannot fish the River without supervision of a parent or guardian or senior club member. (A separate section for Junior Rules when on the supervised Lochs is contained in the Junior section of these pages).
  17. Rules. These rules supersede all previous rules of the BAC and must be adhered to. (from A.G.M. Nov. 2023)