Rules & Constitution

CONSTITUTION

1 This Club shall be called Newry and District Anglers’ Association. All members are full members and are entitled to stand for the organizing committee. However, Office bearers of the club (i.e. Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer) must reside within a five mile limit from Newry City Centre. Committee members shall be elected by fellow members at the Annual General Meeting. The existing committee may also co-opt members as they see appropriate.

2 The object of the Association shall be to promote angling on the waters within the district, to assist in their preservation and to enforce the laws regarding poaching and pollution: to exert its influence for the betterment of the sport and to obtain for its members fishing and fishing rights when and where it is possible to do so.

3 The Committee shall have full power to secure angling rights for the club and make such regulations with regard to angling on Association waters as they deem desirable, arrange for competitions, set annual membership and day-ticket fees and all matters hereto. Provision has been made for those members fishing the river only

4 The Treasurer shall render a financial account at the Annual General Meeting. A copy of the treasurer’s report for the previous year (ending December) shall be included with the invitation to the AGM. Two honorary auditors shall be appointed to examine the statement and vouch for its accuracy.

5 A quorum for a committee meeting will be five members one of whom must be an office-bearer.

6 Supplementary rules for fishing club waters will be decided by the Committee as and when conditions dictate.

7 Fishing on club waters is restricted to fully paid –up members and anglers holding a valid day-ticket.

8 Day/weekly -tickets are available from local dealers and distributors. All the rules of the club must be observed by visitors. Any visitor guilty of damage to property while fishing under the auspices of the club will be liable to prosecution under civil law in the event of their failure to make good any damage caused.

9 The club shall not be responsible for any accident, injury or damage or loss to persons or property and members and visitors use the club waters at their own risk. No boats or floatation tubes are allowed on club waters.

10 The open season on club waters shall be determined by the committee.

11 In addition to court appointed bailiffs, committee members and other members sanctioned by the club, and identified as such, have the authority to check membership, ascertain the number of fish caught and ensure that members are fishing in accordance with the relevant club rules.

12 Any member in breach of these rules, or guilty of unsporting behavior or breaking fishery laws may be censured, suspended, required to resign, fined or expelled by the committee. The committee shall have the power to suspend or expel any member whose conduct is likely to endanger the welfare of the Newry & District Anglers. Association or who brings the association into disrepute. The Committee could also refuse to admit for membership any person, whose conduct in the opinion of the Association is likely to endanger the welfare or the good order of the Association or bring it into disrepute.

13 The three office bearers (Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer) shall have their membership fees refunded on the successful completion of their year’s tenure. The Hatchery manager will also have his membership fee refunded.

14 Any motion for an AGM must have both a proposer and a seconder. This must be submitted to the Secretary before the 30th November each year. Both the proposer and seconder must be present at the AGM otherwise the motion will not be put.

Club Rules

1 Fishing on club waters is from 6.00am until midnight. The exception to this is that from 1st May until 31st July fishing is extended until 1.00 am.

2 Membership, day and weekly prices are set each year by the outgoing committee.

3 Applications must be made on the official club form, available from the Club Secretary and processed by the Club Treasurer acting with the committee.

4 There is an increased fee for members who do not attend the AGM unless they have contacted the Secretary by LETTER, and enclosed their fee and membership card. Members are not allowed to sign-up for other members at the AGM.

5 Keep-nets, ground or loose baiting are prohibited on specified trout waters.

6 Trout under 11 inches must be returned.

7 The bag limit on all club waters is three fish in total. Anglers must cease fishing immediately when they have killed three fish.

8 Members must, if asked by a club bailiff show the number of fish in their possession. Any member breaking this rule will be suspended for a period of not less than one month.

9 The bag limit on club waters is three fish. Members must, if asked by a club bailiff/committee member show the number of fish in their possession. Any member breaking this rule will be dealt with by the committee under rule 12 of the constitution

10 Members are forbidden to pollute the waters, leave litter or shoot over club waters.

11 Following requests from adjoining landowners members are forbidden to take their dogs when fishing.

12 Mc Court’s lake is fly-fishing only. River-only members wishing to fish the lake must take out a day-ticket. A number of brown trout, (to be decided by the committee) will be stocked in Mc Court’s each year.

13 Under the Club’s Insurance any Junior members (under 16) fishing club waters must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 21.

14 Members not attending the AGM will pay a surcharge decided by the committee unless they write to the Secretary, before the meeting and enclose a SAE.

15 Members must join individually. No-one can sign-up for another member.

16 All Members must carry their membership cards with them when fishing club waters.