Rother Fishery Association
Member of the Angling Trust
Member of the Kent Fishery Consultative Association
Rules Applicable to All RFA Waters
a). Fishing from dawn to dusk only. No overnight stays are permitted. All persons must leave all RFA waters no later than sunset and must not arrive before sunrise. Maximum two rods.
b) No live fish to be used as bait, and all fish of all species to be returned alive to the water without any undue delay, and to be handled correctly and responsibly.
c) Fishing for pike is restricted to the period October 1st – March 14th inclusive and is further restricted to members of RFA clubs only. No Day Ticket angler may fish for either Pike or Perch on RFA waters at any time.
d) No dogs are permitted other than assistance or therapy dogs and all owners must be in possession of prior written permission issued by the RFA General Administrator.
1. Permission to be sought via the RFA Club the Member belongs to.
2. A maximum of one dog per RFA Member at any time – no ‘multiple’ situations.
3. No dog to be taken onto any RFA water where farm animals are accessible / close by.
4. All dogs to be kept under strict control within the Member’s swim at all times, and to be kept on a lead, and permission will be withdrawn should any part of this Rule not be strictly adhered to.
e) The Close Season of March 15th– June 15thapplies to all RFA waters.
f) All persons using RFA facilities must show their physical or digital EA Licence and club permit to the authorised RFA Bailiff (upon production of his own RFA identification) and they must behave towards the bailiff in a polite and civilised way at all times. Any person making any sort of threat, or subjecting the bailiff to any form of abuse, verbal or physical, shall (if asked by the Bailiff) leave the fishery immediately.
g) RFA Bailiffs are authorised to check anglers’ line and terminal tackle at any time and to demand immediate changes should they have any concern about the appropriateness of said end tackle, line, or bait as regards fish welfare. Before resuming fishing, any changes requested must be made without delay or dispute. Anything used as bait (except artificial lures) MUST be fully and easily digestible with no risk of lodging in a fish’s throat or digestive system including anything inserted into any bait or placed in a position such that a fish might swallow it.
h) When fishing on RFA waters, all anglers will fish subject to the Rules of the Club to which they are a member EXCEPT that if there is any difference between their own Club Rules and RFA Rules, the RFA Rules will take precedence when the angler is fishing on RFA waters.
i) In the event of any matter arising which an RFA member or Bailiff considers may be in breach of any RFA Rule, the matter will be referred to the Club to which the angler belongs, and that Club will then deal with it as it sees fit. If an angler belongs to more than one club, it will be the Club whose membership permit is produced as identification when fishing which will be the Club to which the matter is referred
j) All people fishing on RFA waters must at all times adhere to the relevant Environment Agency (EA) byelaws in force at the time, and before fishing they must ensure they are aware of these, for example, that before fishing they must have the correct and current Environment Agency (EA) Licence to Fish.
k) No RFA Member may take any motorised vehicle through any gate or other access point onto the banks of any RFA water, or to park in any place where RFA signs additionally prohibit it or where doing so causes any obstruction.
