Membership Rules

1. GENERAL

1.1 The Members handbook comprises the entire regulations of the club and members should ensure they read and familiarise themselves with it before fishing club waters.

1.2 No person shall use Club waters unless in possession of a Members ID Card (and associated annual confirmation email) or a valid Guest Permit and to produce such for inspection if required to do so by a Club Bailiff, another Club Member or any other responsible person. Failure to produce this proof when requested will result in the angler(s) being asked to leave the water.

1.3 Any Member has the authority of Club Bailiff and is encouraged to challenge any angler on Club waters.

1.4 All Members and Guests must be in possession of a current Environment Agency Rod License

1.5 When a Senior Member or Concessionary Member is accompanied by a child under the age of 12 years then that child may fish without a Membership Card or Guest Permit provided there is no abuse of the privilege. Such child MUST fish in the same swim as the supervising Member and a total of only two rods be in use in the swim.

1.6 Any Member who wins and accepts a Club Trophy will be held responsible for that Trophy until the Trophy is returned to a Club official. Any loss or damage to the Trophy must be made up in full by that person to the satisfaction of the Club Committee. Failure to make up any loss or damage to the Committee’s satisfaction will result in the person being ruled ineligible to rejoin the Club.

1.7 The Committee reserves the right to close Club waters at their discretion.

2. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS AND RENEWAL

2.1 Annual subscriptions are due by 1st June in order to guarantee membership for that year which runs from 16th June until 15th June the following year.

2.2 All applications must include a photo to be used on the club permit (plastic id card). The photo can be sent with the application or emailed directly to the membership secretary.

2.3 Children under 12 who cannot fish with an adult member can join as a Junior but must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

2.4 Membership should be renewed online via the club website or if that isn’t possible it can be renewed via one of the local tackle shops, by post or as notified in the AGM announcement or in the club newsletter(s).

2.5 Members must notify the Membership Secretary, in writing or by email, of any change of address, e-mail address or other details as soon as possible.

2.6 Night Permit for Whistley Mill – Members wishing to fish after 9pm at Whistley Mill (lake and river) must purchase. This is optional and for adult Members only.

2.7 Data Protection – To read our Data Protection policy document click here.

3. GUEST PERMITS

3.1 Senior and Concessionary Members may bring non-member anglers onto Club waters through a Guest Permit. A maximum of two Guest Permits per day, per member, must be purchased in advance and guests must always be accompanied on the same water by the member(s) concerned.

3.2 For clarity the same water means a Club water with the same name e.g. Upper St Patrick’s Stream.

3.3 Guests are subject to the rules in this Members Handbook. The Club member(s) accompanying the guest(s) is responsible for ensuring guests are aware of and adhere to the rules.

3.4 Guest Permits are not available during the Environmental Agency Close Season on Club still waters.

3.5 Guest Permits are available from: The Tackle Box, Woodley; Maidenhead Angling Supplies, White Waltham; Yateley Angling Centre, Yateley; Online at www.TDFC.org.uk

4. PERSONAL INJURY AND DAMAGE

4.1 The Club will not accept any responsibility for personal injury to Members and Guests, or for loss of, or damage to, personal property caused as a result of them exercising their right to fish Club waters.

4.2 Any Member causing damage will be held personally responsible for that damage.

5. FISHERY ACCESS AND CONDUCT

5.1 Where available, the clubs designated car parks should always be used.

5.2 Members must not block gateways of either Club waters or those of other property owners and must respect the privacy of residents.

5.3 Within Club waters, motor vehicles are restricted to designated car parks and may not be driven elsewhere without the prior permission of the Fisheries Officer or his nominee.

5.4 Stiles and gates must be used in passing over property. Keep all gates closed and locked at all times.

5.5 Anglers should keep to designated paths within Club waters, or where there is no path, to within 3 metres of the water’s edge, or within 1 metre of any fence line.

5.6 No fires (incl. barbecues unless at authorised club events) shall be lit or tents pitched. Camping/hiking/fishing type stoves are allowed.

5.7 Family picnics are not allowed on Club waters, but one non-fishing guest may accompany a Member provided there is no abuse of the privilege and the guest is in the same swim as the Member.

5.8 Children under 12 may fish without a permit if accompanied by an adult member – except for night fishing at Whistley Mill, where no children are allowed on the fishery. The club offer various coaching events and non fishing parents should consider attending so they can learn basic fishing skills and gain an awareness of safety around water.

5.9 Dogs (unless totally prohibited under specific fishery rules) are permitted on Club waters provided they are kept under complete control and on a lead.

5.10 The use of radios or portable players of any type or nature must be used with due regard to the peace and tranquillity of others.

5.11 There is no fishing allowed on Borough Marsh Stream – the river from the Thames to Lower St. Patrick’s Stream.

5.12 Anglers must be off Club waters within 15 minutes of any published closing time for that water.

5.13 Anglers must not interfere with, move or remove any signage on club waters, including Power Line signs.

6. POWER LINES

6.1 No Club Member or Guest is permitted to fish between yellow “No Fishing” signs at any time or for any reason. If anyone is caught doing so they will be brought in front of the Committee.

6.2 Power lines cross the River Loddon at Sandford Mill and Loddon Drive, Charvil, and St. Patrick’s Stream both upstream and downstream of Loddon Drive. THEY CAN KILL.

6.3 Warning signs mark the locations of these power lines. Do not fish in the marked areas. If you ignore these signs you are risking serious injury or death and may be subject to Club disciplinary action in accordance with the above Club Rule.

7. ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BYLAWS APPLY TO ALL CLUB WATERS

7.1 No fish may be killed or taken away from Club waters without the prior permission of the Fisheries Officer or his nominee.

7.2 No fishing shall be permitted on Club running waters during the Environmental Agency coarse fishing close season.

8. FISH AND ENVIRONMENT CARE

8.1 Between 15th March and 15th June, no keep-nets are allowed on Club enclosed/still waters.

8.2 Members and Guests are expected to use tackle and methods appropriate to the swim conditions and to safeguard the welfare of the fish.

8.3 Not permitted: fixed or tethered ledger methods. Permitted: safety clips and helicopter rigs.

8.4 Recommended: use line strength appropriate to target species, using a hook length which is weaker than the main line.

8.5 Members and Guests MUST carry and use an unhooking mat at all times when targeting specimen fish and follow the Fish Handling Code -see end of Rule Book. It is highly recommended that ALL Members and Guests carry and use an unhooking mat regardless of their targeted quarry.

8.6 If a Member or Guest is targeting Barbel, Pike, Bream, or Carp they MUST be in possession of and use a landing net of a minimum 30 inches in the case of a pan type net or 36 inches in the case of a triangular net. The net must be deep enough to safely rest the fish until it is fully recovered.

8.7 Anglers must not leave any rods with lines in the water unattended and no baited hook to be left unattended on the bank side.

8.8 All disposable metal containers are banned from Club waters, with the exception of night fishing at The Causeway Lake.

8.9 Members and Guests will be held to be responsible for the removal of all litter in the vicinity of their swim.

8.10 Members must cause minimum damage to bank side vegetation. Specifically, pruning or cutting of any trees and saplings anywhere on Club waters is not permitted.

9. PIKE FISHING PROTECTION

9.1 Only Members and Guests who are experienced in handling pike safely should, for safety’s sake, fish for pike on club waters. Those without experience should learn from an experienced angler before attempting to fish for pike. The club will hold 2 pike matches annually where those without experience can learn.

9.2 All Members and Guests fishing for Pike MUST be in possession of the following:

9.3 Traces must be a minimum length of 15in and not less than 25lb breaking strain wire must be used irrespective of whether you are bait or lure fishing. 15 inches is the minimum safe length to ensure that the teeth do not come into contact with the line above the trace.

9.4 Forceps for unhooking of a minimum 9 inches in length (preferably 2 pairs). Forceps are preferable to pliers as they can be clamped on the shank of the hook to facilitate removal. Two pairs can be useful with a fish that is awkwardly hooked; it also leaves one pair to use in the event of losing a set.

9.5 Side cutters able to cut problem hooks when caught in the soft throat tissue or gill rakers. In the event of it being impossible to remove a hook it is better to cut through the hook than cut the wire and leave an intact hook in the fish.

9.6 A sensitive and effective bite detector system which shows ‘drop back’ as well as runs. Minimum bite indication acceptable is a float. With poor bite indication it is possible for the pike to swallow the bait which can lead to a number of issues such as biting through the main line above the trace, deep hooking etc.

9.7 No more than two treble hooks may be used on any one trace and they must be semi-barbless or barbless.

9.8 When Perch fishing with live or dead fish baits or lure fishing, a wire trace must be used.

10. SPECIMEN FISH

10.1 The following shall be the Club’s standards for specimen fish:

10.2 Barbel 12lb, Bream 8lb, Carp 20lb, Chub 5lb, Dace 6oz, Perch 1lb 8oz, Pike 15lb, Roach 1lb 8oz, Tench 7lb, Trout 2lb

10.3 Specimen fish are eligible on any day when a Club water is officially open. Fish must be weighed in and witnessed by at least one other Senior/Concessionary member.

10.4 Details of the fish shall be notified to a Committee member within seven days of capture and the Club reserve the right to have the accuracy of the scales verified.

10.5 All fish must be weighed in alive.

10.6 Guests are not eligible to receive trophies for specimen fish.

1. The Club shall be called the Twyford and District Fishing Club Limited, referred to in the rest of this document as the Club. The object of the Club shall be to obtain fisheries and control fishing rights for the Club’s members to fish.
2. The business of the Club shall be conducted by the General Committee elected at the AGM. Five members of the Committee shall form a Quorum. When proposals of the General Committee, other than those deciding subscription rates, require a vote, the voting rules are: one vote for each Committee Member/Officer; approval of proposal requires a simple majority; Chairman has the casting vote.
3. The General Committee shall consist of a maximum of 16 Officers and Members. The Club’s Officers are Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Fisheries Officer, Membership Secretary and Match Secretary. Each Officer or Member shall be elected to serve on a continuing basis with the provisos that at least 25% of the Committee posts and at least one Officer post shall be subject to election at each AGM, and no individual may serve on the Committee for more than five years without re-election. The General Committee (on a majority vote) shall have the authority to co-opt any current club member to fill a committee vacancy that occurs between AGMs. Such co-opted committee members may not serve in the subsequent season without their election (on a majority vote) at the AGM following their co-option.
4. Membership subscriptions shall become due by 1st June each year. Subscription rates, joining fees, and any associated costs of membership, for all membership categories, will be set by the elected General Committee. Any changes to subscription and associated fees will be reported with financial justification at the AGM preceding implementation of such changes.
5. Membership categories are split into: Senior (those aged 21 – 64); Intermediate (those aged 16 – 25); Junior (those aged 15 and below); and Concessionary (those aged 65 and above). Associate membership is limited to 100 members, who are subject to the same rights and responsibilities as Full members, excepting that they shall not have the right to vote at a General Meeting of the Club. All references to age are determined by age at 1st June.
6. The General Committee may additionally decide concessionary subscription terms for defined categories of disadvantaged members and provide complimentary memberships to riparian owners or to individuals making a particular contribution to the Club’s interests.
7. The meetings of the General Committee deciding subscription rates must be fully minuted and entered into Club records, and all Committee decisions on subscriptions require the affirmative vote of two thirds or more of all elected Committee members. In the event of failure to achieve such a majority, the General Committee will put options on subscription rates to a vote at a General Meeting, requiring a simple majority.
8. There shall be four Directors of the Club who shall be appointed from time to time as necessary by the Club in General Meeting from among those currently elected members of the General Committee who are willing to be so appointed. A Director shall hold office during his/her life, or until he/she shall resign by notice in writing given to the General Committee, or until a resolution removing him/her from office shall be passed at a General Meeting of the Club by a majority comprising two thirds of the members present and entitled to vote.
9. All property of the Club, including land and investments (but excluding cash in hand or held in the Club’s Bank Account), shall be held by the Directors for the time being, in their own names, so far as necessary and practicable, for the use and benefit of the Club. On the death, resignation or removal from office of a Director, the General Committee shall take steps to procure the appointment by the Club in General Meeting of a new Director in his/her place; and shall as soon as possible thereafter take all lawful and practicable steps to procure the vesting of all Club property into the names of the Directors as constituted after the said appointment.
10. The Directors shall in all respects act, in regard to any property of the Club held by them, in accordance with the directions of the General Committee; and shall have power to buy, sell, lease, mortgage or pledge any Club property for the purpose of raising or borrowing money for the benefit of the Club in compliance with the Committee’s directions. But no purchaser, lessee or mortgagee shall be concerned to enquire whether any such direction has been given.
11. The Directors shall be effectually indemnified by the Club from and against any liability, costs expenses and payments whatsoever which may be properly incurred or made by them in relation to the trusts of the property and investments of the Club or in relation to any legal proceedings or which otherwise relate directly or indirectly to the performance of the functions of a Director. The club is a private company, limited by guarantee without share capital which ensures members, Directors and the committee have limited liability by law.
12. The Club may be dissolved by an affirmative vote of two thirds or more of members attending (and entitled to vote at) an AGM or EGM, voting on a motion of dissolution approved by the General Committee. After debts of the Club have been settled, and after disposal of any assets covered by special conditions, all the remaining assets will be sold and the total Club cash then be divided between ALL members of the Club (as at the date of dissolution) who have been members for the previous 3 consecutive membership years. Each entitled member will be notified of his/her share and be instructed to collect it from solicitors appointed by the General Committee. Any monies not collected within 3 months of such notification will be donated to the Angling Trust. The basis of cash allocation will be pro rata to membership subscription rates at the time of dissolution, e.g. a concessionary member paying 30% of full subscription would receive 30% of the allocation payable to a member paying full subscription.
13. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by a written requisition to the Secretary, signed by at least ten Full Members, detailing the business to be discussed at that EGM. The EGM shall discuss only the business for which the meeting was called. All Members shall have at least ten days’ notice, with Agenda, of such a meeting.
14. Club Constitution shall only be made, altered or rescinded by a majority of two thirds of members present at an AGM, or an EGM called for such purpose.
15. Club Rules and Regulations shall be set by the General Committee; any changes will be included in the AGM notification to members and reported at the next available AGM. Any two members present at the AGM and entitled to vote may request that any such rule changes are voted on at the AGM. A simple majority will be binding on the General Committee for the following season.
16. Any club member entitled to vote at an AGM may propose changes to the Constitution, or Rules, for discussion and vote at an AGM. Such proposals must be in writing, supported by the names and signatures of a minimum of 10 other current club members entitled to vote at a General Meeting, and be received by the club Secretary at least 10 days preceding an AGM. The club Secretary will include these proposals in the notice of the AGM. Such proposals will be subject to a vote at the AGM, requiring a 2/3 majority for any change to the Constitution, a simple majority for any other matter. In the event of any disagreement as to whether a proposal and associated vote is subject to a 2/3 or simple majority, the decision of the AGM Chairman will be final.
17. Any matters concerning proposals to change the club’s Constitution or Rules that have not been notified to the Secretary at least 10 days, or any other matters, may be discussed at an AGM at the discretion of the meeting Chairman under AOB, but should the meeting Chairman (at his or her absolute discretion) invite members present at the AGM to express their views as a “vote”, the results of such a “vote” are for the information and guidance of the Committee, not binding on the club.” Notice of the AGM shall be sent to all Club members at least 20 days before the date fixed for that meeting.
18. Any Member guilty of unlawful practice, breach of Club Rules or conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the Club may be expelled by the Committee at a meeting called to inquire into the matter. On expulsion a Member forfeits any claim, monetary or otherwise, upon the Club. The Committee may alternatively impose a period of suspension of membership. Any member expelled from the Club, or subject to suspension for a period of greater than three months, and who has two or more years’ membership, may appeal against the decision by putting a request in writing to the Club Chairman. An appeal, if so requested, will then be heard by an Appeal Panel, consisting of 1x Director and the Chairman of the Club. The Chairman will chair the appeal meeting and may call on expert witnesses or others to give evidence and has absolute discretion as to the conduct of the meeting. The decision of the Appeal Panel will be final and will be reported to the Appellant straightaway in writing. The decision of the Appeal Meeting shall be fully documented, and these documents held as part of the Club records.

1. MATCH REGULATIONS
   1. All matches shall be arranged through the Match Secretary. New opposing Clubs shall be subject to approval by the Committee.
   2. Attendance at all matches must be booked online with the Match Secretary between Sunday and Wednesday prior to the match.
   3. Members of visiting clubs are subject to Membership Rules and the Match Secretary will be responsible for ensuring such visitors are aware of and adhere to the rules.
   4. Matches shall be fished on pre-determined beats as shown in the Match Programme. On the day of a match, the beat or beats listed shall be reserved for Match fishing. The Match Secretary may change beats on the day of a Match, according to prevailing conditions, but no existing anglers on the revised beat or beats shall be disturbed.
2. CLUB MATCH FISHING WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER CLUB RULES & REGS
   1. All matches shall be fished all-in -except for pike, trout & salmon.
   2. All matches shall be fished with one rod and hook only at any one time. Live/dead baiting and spinning are not allowed.
   3. Wading is permitted in the margins only or is at the Match Secretary’s discretion.
   4. All fish must be landed by the competitor unaided from within 1 metre of the peg being fished.
   5. Competing angler’s catches will be weighed at their pegs.
   6. Only live fish shall be weighed in.
   7. Roving matches shall be subject to the following additional regulations:
   8. All fishing must be from within 1 metre of a permanent peg.
   9. No fish shall be carried when changing swim. Fish already caught must be returned to the water before moving.
   10. A peg is deemed to have been vacated when an angler leaves that peg with rod and tackle.
   11. Points will be awarded to the first placed angler, descending to 1 point to the tenth placed angler. An angler’s best 12 home match scores will count towards the Match Champion trophies. All away match scores will count towards the Peter Lewis Trophy.
   12. Parking for all matches will be advised by the Match Secretary.

MATCHES

• Godalming – Wood Lake Busbridge meet at Marsh Farm to collect nets and draw. Wood lake Lake holds Bream and Tench, matches normally expect 40lb to 50lb to be in the money!
• St Pats matches – Meet in the Club Car Park at the Top of Loddon Drive, just get there 10 to 15 minutes before the draw
• Thames matches – Meet at the copse car park next to the Thames, just get there 10 to 15 minutes before the draw
• River Kennet matches – Meet in the car park next to the cattery at least ½ hour before draw to enable crossing of the railway line.
• River Loddon Club Match Sandford Meet at the Club Car Park Sandford.
• River Loddon Yotac/21 Club meet at slip road opposite Wee Waif Bath Road Charvil.

BOOKING IN ON MATCHES

Anglers must book in for all matches on Twyford website a minimum of 24hrs before match, please make sure you complete your contact details. River conditions change frequently we may have to reduce peg numbers or at worst cancel the match!

POINT COMPETITION POINTS

Points Competition, only matches indicated on the above table count towards the points competition, 10 for a win, 9 for second and so on. There is a total of 15 scoring matches where points can be gained, your best 10 results ONLY will count from the 15 scoring matches. In the result of a tie, the most matches won will decide the winner.

OPTIONAL POOL

There is an optional pool of £5 per match which dependent on numbers fishing pays out First, Second and Third. At every Golden Peg match, £5 of the pool money is taken from the pool and goes into the Golden Peg pot of money. If we are hosting a visiting Club then all of the pool money is used for prize money. On away matches the host Club runs the pool and their rules apply.

GOLDEN PEG

Golden Peg, indicated Golden Peg Matches, will run the Golden Peg. There must be at least 5 anglers for Golden Peg competition to be valid.

MATCH TROPHIES

Presented by Dave Langley for the highest number of points scored in home matches over the season.

Presented by Dr. Kenneth Simon for the runner-up in home points matches.

Twyford Thames Championship Trophy for the highest weight in a match on the River Thames.

Ted Seymour Trophy for the highest weight in the Beginning of Season Match.

Christopher Cutts St. Patrick’s Stream Challenge Trophy for the highest weight in a match on St. Patrick’s Stream.

Pole Cup presented by C Rumney for the highest weight in a pole only match.

SPECIMEN TROPHIES

Presented by Lt. Col. M P Verey for the best fish of the season based on the BRFC Record List.

Ron Mansfield Memorial Trophy for the best specimen fish caught at Sandford Mill.

Presented by R.S.Walker for the best specimen Barbel caught on Club waters.

Harper Dace Cup for the best specimen Dace caught on Club waters.

Presented by the Landlord of Club Headquarters for the best specimen Roach of 1 lb. or more caught on Club waters.

Merton Challenge Cup presented for the best specimen Pike caught on Club waters.

Perch Cup presented for the best specimen Perch caught on Club waters.

Bream Cup presented for the best specimen Bream caught on Club waters.

Chub Cup presented for the best specimen Chub caught on Club waters.

Carp Cup presented for the best specimen Carp caught on Club waters.

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ARCHIVED TROPHIES

Presented by Bill Gardner for the highest weight caught in any one home match.

Edgley Double Rivers Cup for the highest points in the Edgley Double Rivers challenge with one match on the Thames and one on St Patrick’s Stream.

Joe Goodwin Memorial Cup for top weight in the Joe Goodwin Memorial match on St Patrick’s Stream.

M.Tindal Shield for the highest weight in the End of Season Match.

George Miles Trophy for the highest weight in a match on the River Loddon.

Pairs Cup presented by R.Tillotson for a pairs match.

Summer Series Trophy for the highest points score in the evening series of matches.

Loddon Championship Trophy presented by R.Tillotson for the highest weight in a match on the River Loddon.

Winter Series Cup presented by R.Tillotson for the highest number of points scored in the series.

Peter Lewis Trophy for the highest total of points scored in away matches.

R Beresford Trophy for the highest weight in a designated match on the River Loddon.