FISHINGS TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE 2017 SEASON
1. Insurance
1.1 The Owner and Landlord of the Fishing accepts no liability whatsoever for damage, injury or loss to persons or belongings nor shall they be held responsible for adverse weather conditions or acts of God.
1.2 The Tenant fisher and each Member of their party should have third party insurance for a minimum of Five Million Pounds (£5,000,000) Sterling. It shall be the responsibility of the Tenant fisher to ensure that he/she and each Member of their Party complies with this recommendation.
1.3 Any Children in the Party and/or connected therewith must be supervised at all times.
1.4 The Tenant fisher will indemnify the Landlord and the G C Gordon Lennox Estate Company for all acts and omissions of the Tenant and members of their fishing party.
2. Conservation – Catch and Release
2.1 Salmon and Grilse
2.1.1 From January 2015, it as a legal requirement for all salmon to be returned before the 1st of April. Thereafter, the Spey Board’s Policy is that all salmon caught up to and including the 31st of May be returned alive
2.1.2 For the rest of the season fishers should return all hen and gravid fish. They may retain the 2nd, 4th, 6th etc. cock fish caught. Hen fish should not be counted in this calculation. This “allowance” applies to an individual angler, or those sharing a rod, for the period they are fishing with us, and not to a party as a whole.
2.1.3 All farmed fish (deformed gills, fins and tails) that are caught are to be killed and reported. Any fish that are damaged by seal, net or dolphin wounds should be reported and if possible photographed.
2.1.4 From the 1st June a first fish may be kept if caught by a person up to the age of 16 but the child must be given the option, it can be any fish, cock or hen.
2.2 Sea Trout and Finnock
2.2.1 Sea Trout Finnock of 16oz/35cm/14 inches or less must be returned.
2.2.2 Sea Trout of 3lb/50cm/20 inches in length or above must be returned.
2.2.3 Only one takeable size Finnock or Sea Trout may be retained per calendar day per person.
2.3 Fishing Method.
Fishing is to be by fly only with single or double hooks.
3.1 Maximum Fishing Limits.
3.1 The maximum permitted number of rods per beat is as follows
Beat No. of Rods Beat No. of Rods
Beat 1 x 3 Castle Water x 6
Beat 2 x 4 Lower Water 1 x 6
Beats 3, 4 and 5 x 5 Lower Water 2 x 6
3.1.2 A rod can be shared between people but at no time shall there be more than the maximum permitted number of rods fishing simultaneously.
3.1.3 Up to a maximum of 9 hours fishing per 24 hours per rod (not per person) may be fished.
3.2 Catch Returns Catch Return data will be lodged with the Ghillie or in the Ghillie’s absence with the Estate Office.
4. Dogs
Dogs will be kept under control at all times.
5. Health and Safety
5.1 Fishing can be dangerous and the Tenant fisher and each Member of their party are required to conduct him or herself with due care and attention particularly but not limited to situations where wading conditions may be difficult and/or dangerous because of ground conditions and/or spate conditions.
5.2 Fishers are required to wear lifejackets at all times, particularly whilst wading and using boats.
5.3 No boats may be used without the consent of the Estate ghillies. All fishers use boats at their own risk and must satisfy themselves that the boats and their equipment are safe. All boats should be returned to the moorings and properly locked and secured before departure. The Tenant fisher is responsible for the conduct and safety of his/her party at all times.
5.4 All fishers must have treated their fishing tackle and equipment against the Gyrodactylus salaris parasite.
5.5 The Tenant fisher has responsibility for themselves and also for each member of their party and undertakes to ensure all comply with these Terms and Conditions.
5.6 The Owner and Landlord of the Fishing has conducted a Risk Assessment for Health and Safety purposes, and a copy of this is available on request.
6. Prohibition against Sub Letting and Assignation
6.1 The Tenant fisher shall not sub-let any day or days taken and/or assign the fishing rights without the express prior written approval of the Estate Factor.
7. General
7.1 The Owner and Landlord accepts no liability whatsoever for persons coming onto the Water and will accept no responsibility for any claim for loss or damage arising from the granting of this permission. In addition the Tenant fisher will undertake for himself/herself and party Members
To allow fish caught and fishing tackle to be inspected by anyone authorised by the Owner and Landlord and/or his ghillie
To protect the water from poaching or illegal methods of fishing
Not to damage trees or plants or obstruct the river or river banks
Not to light fires which is strictly prohibited
To report any damage to the boats, shelter or any other equipment to the Estate Office
Not to leave litter in the boats or surrounding area and make use of the litter bin provided in the shelter
8. Ghillie
8.1 Each ghillie has a normal working day from 9am to 5pm including Saturdays. The Owner and Landlord will use its best endeavours to supply the services of one ghillie.
8.2 The Tenant fisher is required to provide transport for the ghillie to and from the River if needed.
8.3 All instructions and decisions given by The Owner and Landlord and/or its ghillies are final and are to be followed.
9. Complaints
9.1 Any Complaints by a fisher should be immediately reported verbally to the ghillie and confirmed in writing within 24 hours to the Estate Office who will pass it to the Factor.
10. Variation of Conditions
10.1 The Owner and Landlord reserves the right, acting reasonably, to vary these Terms and Conditions of fishing at any time or from time to time.
Lieutenant Colonel David Duncan
Factor
Gordon Castle Estate