Match Rules

Fakenham Angling Club matches will be fished in accordance with N.F.A. Rules. [Subject to local variations] The following is a summary of the main rules and variations:-

1. All competitors must be in possession of a current Club Membership card and
E.A.Licence.

2. Competitors must abide by club rules and specific venue rules. [In order to
comply with many ‘Carp’ fishery rules it is advisable to be in possession of two
keep nets]

3. Names must be placed on list in Daves’ Tackle Shop prior to all matches.
Failure to attend after nomination may disqualify an angler from subsequent matches.

4. Pike will not count.

5. If two or more anglers have the same weight of fish at the weigh in, the prize money for that position and any others shall be added together and shared. The points will also be shared in the same manner.

6. After the start signal a competitor may wade provided he remains within one yard of the waters edge.

7. No competitor shall have live or dead fish in his possession before match.
[Dead bait for pike match excepted]

8. The signal to commence and cease fishing will be given by a member of the Match Committee.

9. Before the starting signal, no competitor may groundbait or loose feed the swim. They are allowed to wet a line, plumb the depth, test floats, mix groundbait and clear the swim of weed or obstructions [within reason] to position their keepnet or keepnets.. Empty feeders and/or bombs may only be used to check distance.

10. Every competitor must fish from within one yard on an imaginary line between his peg number and the water. On flowing water he will fish from his position in the direction of the flow as far as the next peg. If an angler feels his peg is unfishable he should approach a member of the Match Committee.

11. On still water the competitor may fish as far as half the distance between his peg and the pegs on either side. Where competitors are drawn on opposite banks the limit of the swim will be the middle line between each bank. The competitor will restrict his activities completely to within these boundaries. Neither his person, tackle, bait or groundbait may intrude on to his neighbours swim.

12. A competitor shall only have in use one rod, one line and one hook at one time. Other rods and tackle may be assembled ready for use provided that it is not baited.

13. Competitors must strike, play and land their own fish. Reasonable sensible exemptions may be approved by the Match Committee.

14. Competitors must cease fishing at the final signal. A competitor will be allowed 30 minutes to land a fish hooked before the signal. He must, however, make fellow competitors aware.

15. Competitors are responsible for ensuring their pegs are clear of litter. No competitor will have his catch weighed in with litter lying on the banks or in the margins of his swim.

16. Every competitor will be responsible for ensuring that the correct weight of his catch is recorded.

17. Disabled anglers, whether permanent or temporary, may receive preferential treatment in respect of pegs at the draw. This will be at the discretion of the Match Committee.

18. In any dispute the decision of the Match Committee will be final.

19. The main objective of the Club is to ensure that all competitors have an enjoyable and comfortable days fishing.

Addendum:- For ‘his’ substitute ‘hers’ as appropriate.