Ringstead Carp Fishery Rules

1. Membership of the syndicate is by annual invitation of Jane & Nigel Roberts and may be terminated at any time by their decision. (The season runs from January 1^st to 31^st December). Rule breaking or any bad behaviour will bring instant expulsion without refund, the decision of the owner being the final in all cases.
2. Maximum of three rods per angler from March to October (inclusive) and a maximum of four rods for the months of November, December, January & February.
3. All anglers to exercise the greatest possible care of fish. Tripods are a must! Under NO circumstance should any fish be held in a sack! All fish to be unhooked or hook link cut within the water before removal. Use of unhooking mats must have sides and be a minimum of 40mm thick except cradles. The use of a carp retainer should only be used if absolutely necessary and for the absolute minimum period, a maximum of 15 minutes! This applies to both night and daylight conditions. The fish’s wellbeing is of paramount importance. The fish should have good water exchange and also be in no less than 4 feet of water. Any member failing to abide by this rule will be asked to leave the lake forthwith and without return or refund.
4. All particle baits including maggots are now not allowed between the April 01st and November 16th (This means boilies only) outside of this date they must be fully cooked! Uncooked or “soaked only” particles are a danger to the fish and must not be used under any circumstances.
5. No nuts! No “bent hooks” (curved hooks are permitted), No fixed leads and No leadcore or leaders of any type (tubing only) and No naked chods due to possible fish damage and all fish need to be unhooked in the lake via quick link or cut hook length.
6. No litter (including cigarette ends). Any anglers found with litter in their swim whilst fishing or after they have left will be banned. This is irrespective of whether the angler deposits the litter or not.
7. No cutting, or removing, of weeds, reeds, bushes, trees, etc.
8. Removal or introduction of fish strictly prohibited, except within these rules.
9. The boat is only to be used in the event of fish being snagged or seen to be in distress and a life jacket must be worn at all times. Use of the boat is done so entirely at, the angler’s own risk and no responsibility is accepted for any accidents that might occur. Failure to wear a life jacket will carry an immediate ban from the complex.
10. All baits must be reeled in when temporarily leaving the lake.
11. One non-fishing guest at a time, no pets, guns or fires.
12. Fishing guest sessions are permitted and they must be booked and paid for in advance (guest sessions cannot be booked for May or September). A guest ticket costs £120 per session and it is the member’s responsibility that their guest abides by all rules, this payment will need to be paid for in advance. The maximum length of a session for a guest is three days and nights and there are no concessions.
13. The owners or any private guests of theirs, reserve the right to fish at any time.
14. Fishing is carried out entirely at the angler’s own risk and the owners accept no responsibility for any accidents or damage that might occur on the property.
15. The owners reserve the right to amend these rules, or add new ones, at any time prior to notice.
16. The weights of all carp are to be recorded in the logbook. All carp caught must be photographed on each side(lying on an unhooking matt will suffice) and 6 x 4 prints or emailed with details of weights and date on reverse sent to the owners within 4 weeks of capture.
17. The reserving of swims for other members or guests is not allowed. Leaving tackle in swims, to reserve them for yourself, for long periods whilst you are away is also not allowed. Short periods of up to a maximum of 2 hours is acceptable if you need to leave the lake during a fishing session. But if you are away any longer, your tackle must be completely removed well away from the swim, so it can be fished by someone else.
18. The maximum length of a session is three days and nights (72 hrs), after which time you must not return to the site within 72 hrs (three days and nights) – regardless of whether you fish 24 hrs, 36 hrs etc. For the months of November, December, January and February the maximum length of a session is 4 days and nights (96 hrs).
19. The owners reserve the right to close the lake at any time they think fit and prior notice will be given in writing whenever possible.
20. All gates to be closed and properly locked at all times, especially flood gates during the winter.
21. Members should act as bailiffs where necessary and challenge anyone on the lake whom they suspect are not members, for proof of membership. Any presence of non-members or any rule breaking must be reported to the owners as soon as possible. Please note that members of the adjoining syndicate water, Crackers Meadow, are not allowed access to Ringstead Lake (except for the Causeway Swim for access to the wooden shed) unless invited to do so by a member.
22. All carp caught over 50 pounds must be reported to the owners IMMEDIATELY by telephone or text message.
23. Members are not permitted on site unless they have their membership card on them.
24. Rods must be fished from the same swim and not spread along the bank.
25. Members must show the maximum possible respect to other members by being polite and courteous at all times.
26. Copies of all publicity, including photos, stories and reports about the fishery or its fish must be supplied to the owners as soon as it is published.