CONSTITUTION (2023)
1. The Club shall be called the Horwich and District Fly Fishing Club.
2. The Club shall be non-political and non-sectarian. The aims and objectives of the Club are:-
a. To promote and encourage the interests of fly fishing in the area.
b. To ensure that the Club waters are maintained to the highest standards possible and that the
rules of the fishery are complied with.
c. To hold sporting and social events throughout the year.
d. To hold monthly club meetings for progress reports, organisation of events and to receive
proposals for consideration by the elected Committee.
3. The Club shall consist of ordinary members and junior members.
a. All persons aged 11 years to 18 years shall be eligible for Junior Membership. Junior
members from the age of 7 years to 11 years shall be admitted as child members.
b. Admission of ordinary members and junior members shall be by election of the Committee.
c. Application for membership shall be made by lodging with any Officer of the Club or any
Member of the Committee a completed application in the form prescribed from time to time
by the Committee, which will include an acceptance to abide by the rules of the Club. The
rules of the Club to be made available to any member on request to any Committee member.
The Committee may be a simple majority either to elect the candidate to membership, reject
the application or resolve to defer consideration of the application until such time that the
membership numbers allow the taking on of new members. The membership limit to be
determined by the Committee.
4. The Committee's decision to be communicated to the Applicant, and where accepted, the
Applicant will be invited to attend the next Monthly Meeting of the Club, where on payment
of the stated enrolment fee at the particular time he or she shall then become a member and
enjoy the privileges and benefits of the Club.
a. Failure to attend the Meeting without contacting either the Secretary or any of the Committee
members beforehand will cancel the application.
5. All annual subscriptions shall become due on the 1st February each year. At least one half of
the total subscription is due to be paid at the February meeting, the remainder, if any, at the
March meeting. If any member shall fail to pay the total subscription by the 1st April their
membership will cease”
If any member pays half of the subscription by the February meeting but fails to pay the full
amount by the end of the March meeting then their first payment will not be refundable.
a. If any member shall owe any money to the Club, such money should be paid before the
member will be allowed to renew his/her membership.
b. If at any time he/she shall give to the Committee a satisfactory explanation of his/her
difficulty in payment of his/her subscription or any other monies outstanding, he/she may at
the discretion of the Committee and upon payment of all arrears be re-admitted to membership.
c. Any member changing address shall notify the Secretary in writing. If any member shall fail
to notify the Secretary of any change of address, it shall be deemed that any communication
shall have been served if sent to the last notified address.
6. The annual rate of subscriptions shall be agreed by the Committee and put to the Annual
General Meeting as a proposal for acceptance or amendment.
7. The Committee shall terminate the membership of any ordinary member, junior member or
life member whose conduct is unseemly, objectionable or calculated to bring the Club into
disrepute. The Secretary shall forthwith give to such member notice of such a decision of the
Committee specifying the conduct forming the ground for such decision and informing the
member that he/she may, in writing, within fourteen days give notice requiring the question
of expulsion to be considered by a General Meeting of the Club. If no such notice is given
by the member within the time specified, then the termination of his/her membership shall
thereupon take effect. If notice shall be given by the member within the time specified then
the Secretary shall forthwith convene a general meeting of the Club by giving all members
not less than seven or more than fourteen days’ notice thereof. Such General Meeting shall
consider only a resolution that the membership of the member in question be terminated and
no other business shall be taken at the meeting.
a. In any event the member in question shall have no remedy whatsoever against the
Committee, the Club or any member thereof resulting from or relating to any allegation
which may have been made during or in connection with any of the proceedings authorised
by this rule.
8. Any person shall, upon ceasing to be a member of the Club forfeit all right to and claim upon
the Club and its property and funds.
9. The management of the Club shall be deputed to a President, Vice-President, and a
Committee of eleven comprising of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and eight other
Committee members to be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Other officers of the Club
may be appointed as necessary at the Annual General Meeting. All members of the
Committee and all Officers shall retire at each Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible
for re-election and shall continue to exercise their functions so far as necessary for the
purpose of the Annual General Meeting until their successors are elected.
a. Nominations for the positions of Officers of Committee Members must have a proposer and a
seconder. The proposer must first ensure that the nominee is willing to stand for election.
Such proposals should be lodged with the Secretary no later than seven days prior to the
given date of the Annual General Meeting.
10. The Committee shall have power to appoint a member to fill any casual vacancy on the
Committee or among the Officers until the next Annual General Meeting.
11. All meetings of the Committee and of the members of the Club shall be chaired by the
Chairman or in his absence by the Treasurer or in the absence of both of them, then by the
Secretary. The Chairman of any meeting shall be entitled to vote on any resolution and in the
event of a tie, shall have a second or casting vote.
12. There shall be not more than four trustees of the Club and the property of the Club (other
than cash which shall be under the control of the Treasurer) shall be vested in them, to be
dealt with by them, as the Committee shall, from time to time direct by resolution (of which
entry in the Minute Book shall be conclusive evidence). The Trustees shall be indemnified
against risk and expense out of the Club property. The Trustees shall hold office until death
or resignation or until removed from office by a resolution of a General Meeting of the Club.
New or additional Trustees shall be nominated by resolution of a General Meeting of the
Club and for the purpose of giving effect to such nomination the Chairman is hereby
nominated as a person to appoint new Trustees of the Club within the meaning of Section 36
of the Trustee Act 1925 and he/she shall by deed duly appoint the person or persons so
nominated as the new Trustee or Trustees of the Club and the provisions of the Trustee Act
1925 shall apply to any such appointment. Any statement of fact in any such deed of
appointment shall in favour of a person dealing bona fide and for value with the Club or
Committee be conclusive evidence of the fact so stated.
13. The Secretary may from time to time and shall at least once a month (except in the month of
July) convene a Committee meeting by giving seven days’ notice thereof to the members of
the Committee. Seven members of the Committee shall form a quorum. Minutes shall be
taken of all the proceedings for the Committee and shall be open to the inspection of any
member of the Club applying to the Secretary therefore.
14. All money payable to the Club shall so far as practicable, be paid to the Treasurer, but if this
is not practicable, it may be paid to any other Officer of the Club or any member of the
Committee, who shall forthwith hand the same to the Treasurer.
15. The Committee may from time to time make, repeal and amend all such regulations (not
inconsistent with these rules) as they shall think expedient for the management and wellbeing of the Club.
All such regulations shall be read out at the next Monthly Meeting of the
Club Members and thereafter have all the force and effect of these rules, but may be
modified by resolution at a General Meeting.
16. A meeting of the Committee may at any time, by a simple majority, suspend from any office
any member of the Committee or Officer of the Committee (and in the case of an Officer
may nominate a member of the Committee temporarily to discharge his function) and
thereupon shall convene a Special General Meeting under the next succeeding rule.
17. The Committee may at any time for any special purpose call a Special General Meeting and
shall do so forthwith upon there being delivered to the Secretary the requisition in writing of
any twelve members stating the purpose for which the meeting is required. A Special
General Meeting held pursuant to such a requisition shall take place within fourteen days of
its being received by the Secretary, and the Secretary shall give to all the members at least
seven days’ notice of any Special General Meeting and the business to be transacted thereat.
In default the requisitionists may themselves convene a Special General Meeting by giving
such notice as aforesaid to the members
18. Any Officer of the Club or member of the Committee may be removed by resolution of a
General Meeting of the Club.
19. Any resolution of a General Meeting of the Club the effect of which would be to remove
from office an officer of the Club, a Trustee of the Club or a member of the Committee or to
deprive a member of the Club of the benefits and privileges of membership shall require a
majority of two thirds of those members present and voting and the vote on any such
resolution shall, if so required by the person affected, thereby be taken by secret ballot.
20. The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held on the second Tuesday in January
each year upon a date and time and place to be fixed by the Committee for the following
purposes:
a. to receive from the Committee a report, Balance sheet and statement of accounts for the
preceding year and to review the annual subscription
b. The election of Officers and Committee.
c. To appoint an Auditor or Auditors for the ensuing year.
d. To decide on any resolution, seven clear days’ notice of which shall have been given to the
Secretary.
e. To transact any other business considered by the Chairman to be proper to be taken at an
Annual General Meeting. The Secretary shall give at least fourteen days clear notice to all
members of the club of the date, time and place of the Annual General Meeting.
21. The Auditors or Auditor shall prior to each Annual General Meeting, and on such other
occasions as they or he shall think fit, examine the books of account of the Club with the
invoices and vouchers in the possession of the Club and shall append to such accounts a
certificate to the effect that they are correct and represent a true picture of the expenditure,
receipts, assets and liabilities of the Club (or as the case may be) and they may at any time
inspect any book, document or property of the Club in the possession of any Officer or
member and make a report thereon in writing to the Committee and (if the Auditor or they
think fit) circulate copies of such report to all members of the Club.
22. The Committee shall have power to pay accounts and incur any normal liabilities on behalf
of the Club and the Committee and Officers are hereby indemnified by the members of the
Club against all claims and demands in respect of liability properly and bona fide incurred by
them in the name of or on behalf of the Club.
23. The decision of the Committee upon any question of the interpretation of these rules or upon
any matter affecting the Club and not provided for by the rules shall be final and binding on
the members.
24. If at any general meeting a resolution for the dissolution of the Club shall be passed by a
majority of the members present and such resolution shall at a Special General Meeting not
less than one month thereafter at which not less than one half of the members shall be present
be confirmed by a resolution passed by a majority of two thirds of the members voting
thereon, the Committee shall thereupon or at such future dates as shall be specified in such
resolution, proceed to release the property of the Club and after discharge of all liabilities
shall donate the same to the Angling Trust or a suitable charity and upon completion of such
the Club shall be dissolved.
25. These rules may be added to, repealed or amended by resolution at any General Meeting of
the Club provided that no such resolution shall be deemed to have been passed unless it is
carried by a majority of at least two thirds of the members present and voting thereon.
FISHING TRIP RULES
1. Junior or Child members must be accompanied by a senior member (18yrs).
2. All members must observe the rules and regulations as stated by the Fishery owner.
3. All members who have fish to weigh must report to the appointed Adjudicator before the
Official weighing in time.
4. Any person reporting to the Adjudicator after the specified time will not have his/her fish
weighed.
5. Each member must be responsible for weighing his/her own fish.
6. No person may win more than one fishing trip trophy.
7. Any contravention of these rules will be reported to the Committee whose decision will be
regarded as final.
8. One of the aims of the Club is to give every encouragement to the new members in the
art of fly fishing; therefore it would be appreciated if the more experienced members would
assist the newcomers if requested.
FISHERY RULES
1. The Horwich and District Fly Fishing Club, its Officers and Committee shall not be liable for
any loss, damage or injury howsoever caused. (See Risk Assessment Form)
2. Fishing is 1st April to 31st December OR at the discretion of the Committee.
3. The “top metal gate” must be locked at all times. Unless opened by the farmer previously.
Both wooden gates must be closed & locked. Gates must not be left open for any reason.
4. Sessions are - Morning - Dawn to 2pm. Afternoon - 2pm to Dusk
5. All members must “Sigh in“ in the book in the lodge before fishing and “sign out” when
leaving the water. Membership Cards & EA Licence must be carried at all times and
produced when required.
6. Members, guests and day ticket holders may only fish during daylight hours and are not
permitted to fish in the dark under any circumstances.
7. Members, guests & day ticket holders only are allowed within the reservoir boundary.
8. The Fishery Committee reserve the rights to close parts of the reservoir at certain times.
9. Remember every member of HDFFC is a Bailiff - please use your authority.
10. Members are required to give assistance to any member if requested in pursuance of Rule 9.
11. All vehicles to be parked off roadways in case of emergency.
12. Do not obstruct paths or gateways.
13. Knotless landing nets must be used.
14. No strike indicators are permitted.
15. No wading in the reservoir.
16. Juniors/child members under 16 must not fish unless accompanied by a senior member.
17. Members may take two brace per week, Monday to Sunday. (Junior members, one brace),
single barbless hooks, maximum 8s long shank. A maximum of one brace may be taken per
visit
18. All brown trout under 12 inches should be returned
19. A weekly catch return including NIL returns is required from each member that fished that
week.
20. Members will be entitled to a total of two guest tickets only per year, for use on bank or boat.
A record of each guest visit will be recorded in the lodge BEFORE fishing. Any fish caught
by the guest will be returned or will be part of the members’ weekly limit.
21. Members must not discard nylon or deposit litter of any kind. Please remove any litter you
find from around the reservoir.
22. Radios, Media devices or musical instruments of any kind are prohibited.
23. The lighting of fires or the disturbance of wildlife is strictly prohibited.
24. Members must not damage walls, fences, hedges, trees or shrubs or interfere with livestock.
25. Any lopping or pruning of trees or bushes must be approved by the Fishery Officer or liaise
with a member of the committee.
26. Members must not interfere with Authority apparatus or pollute the reservoir in any way.
27. The above rules form part of the HDFFC rules.
28. All members of the club have the right to ask to see an Environment Agency Licence.
BOAT FISHING RULES
1. The Horwich and District Fly Fishing Club, its Officers and Committee shall not be liable for
any loss, damage or injury howsoever caused. (See Risk Assessment Form).
2. Fishing is 1st April to 31st December OR at the discretion of the Committee.
3. The “top metal gate” must be locked at all times. Unless opened by the farmer previously.
Both wooden gates must be closed & locked. Gates must not be left open for any reason.
4. Sessions are - Morning - Dawn to 2pm. Afternoon - 2pm to Dusk.
All boats must be booked out before any fishing. All guests must signed in.
5. All members must “Sigh in“ in the book in the lodge before fishing and “sign out” when
leaving the water. Membership Cards & EA Licence must be carried at all times and
produced when required.
6. Members and guests may only fish during daylight hours.
7. Members and guests are not permitted to fish in the dark under any circumstances.
8. Members and guests only are allowed within the reservoir boundary.
9. The Fishery Committee reserve the rights to close parts of the reservoir at certain times.
10. Remember every member of HDFFC is a Bailiff - please use your authority.
11. Members are required to give assistance to any member if requested in pursuance of Rule 10.
12. All vehicles to be parked off roadways in case of emergency.
13. Do not obstruct paths or gateways.
14. Boat users must wear the Club's buoyancy aids or their own life jackets when on the pontoon
and at all times in a boat. If their own life jackets are worn they must be fitted with either a
crotch or thigh straps so as to comply with the clubs PBE policy.
15. Standing up in the boats to fish is not allowed.
16. A maximum of 2 persons in any one boat.
17. No member shall transfer from one boat to another whilst on the reservoir.
18. Studded footwear must not be worn.
19. Waders of any type must not be worn.
20. Knotless landing nets must be used.
21. No strike indicators are permitted.
22. Junior or Child members must be accompanied by an adult member.
23. Members must enter their names/guests name in the Boat Rota book BEFORE commencing
fishing.
24. Members may take a boat out on their own at any time but must share a boat if another
member wishes to join him/her in that boat, with the member in question booking in at the
Lodge first.
25. Members may enter in the Boat Rota Book one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) and four
weekdays per month (but not more than one weekday per week) in advance. Members who
have used a boat in the Morning Session must re-book if using a boat for the Afternoon
Session.
26. All Brown Trout must be returned.
27. Members may take two brace per week, Monday to Sunday. Junior members, one brace,
single barbless hooks, maximum 8s long shank.
28. A weekly catch return including NIL returns is required from each member who fished that
week.
29. Advance booking on boats for accompanied guests is now anytime including weekends
(4/18). A record of each visit must be recorded in the lodge BEFORE fishing. Any fish
caught by the visitor will be returned or will be part of the members’ weekly limit.
30. When using the winch system another boat must be put on the buoy before commencing
fishing.
31. If the dinghy is used it may be left locked at the jetty whilst fishing but the oars must be
returned to the Lodge. The last boat in, whether in the morning or the evening session, must
return the dinghy to the Lodge.
32. All members must ensure that their buoyancy aids, oars and any other club equipment are
returned to the Lodge at the end of their session unless the members who are due to take over
on the next session require them.
33. Boats must not encroach within fifty yards of the bank where anglers are fishing.
34. No boat to be beached on the dam wall or on any banking where damage may be caused.
Unless in an emergency.
35. Any damage to the boats or equipment must be reported immediately to the Fishery Officer
and must be taken out of service pending inspection and/or repair. (Discharged Lifejackets).
36. No clamps of any kind will be allowed for securing drogues etc.
37. Only battery operated engines will be allowed to be used.
38. Trolling is not allowed.
39. All boats to be cleaned of nylon, litter, flies etc. at the end of the member's session.
40. When securing the boats to the mooring buoys, please ensure that the clip is completely
closed.
41. On Club meeting nights, boats must be returned to the moorings after the morning session.
42. The above rules form part of the HDFFC rules. They may be altered or amended from time to
time as the Committee see fit. Contravention of the above rules could render a member liable
to the appropriate disciplinary action by the Committee.