Gilling West Fly Fishers
Licensee Ron Wood Club Rules General
GWFF is private fly fishing club specialising in small stream techniques. We fish for wild brown trout and grayling in Gilling Beck, Gilling West, North Yorkshire.
Aims
To promote and enjoy the sport of fly fishing.
To protect and conserve the habitats and ecosystems of the river and the riparian zone.
To encourage young people to take up the sport whenever possible.
To offer to help ex military personnel whose physical and mental well being has been adversely affected for whatever reason. Fly fishing is therapeutic.
Membership
Subs must be paid on or before 1st March and cover membership for twelve months from 15th March. Fishing is not allowed until subs are paid in full.
Membership will be limited to a maximum of twelve people including two places reserved for residents of Gilling West.
Members must be in possession of a rod licence. https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences
Members must carry their rod licence and ID at all times when fishing and produce them on request.
Cars must display a GWFF parking sticker when using an official parking space.
Club Water
The club controls approximately 1.5 miles of single and double bank fishing on Gilling Beck situated at various locations between Lead Gill Beck and Olliver Lane. The boundaries of each section are shown on the attached maps. The water is split into two beats. The upper section is known as the Hartforth beat. The lower section is known as the Gilling beat.
The beck has good instream habitat for trout and grayling. The beck has a meandering planform, and a varied depth profile. There is a mixture of deeper pools, shallow riffles and smooth glides giving a range of habitats suitable for all life stages of trout and grayling.
No trimming back of trees or bushes, removal of fallen trees and debris from the river or interference with bank sides etc. is allowed without the consent of the licensee. The water is not to be polluted in any way.
Members will be expected to support environmental friendly appropriate conservation ideals in respect to the beat and encompassing habitat. Access
Access and parking are as shown on the attached maps and must be adhered to.
Members will at all times park in a manner that does not cause obstructions to other vehicles, tracks or gates.
Members agree to be responsible whilst crossing neighbours land, closing gates behind them and to be liable for any damage caused to private property. Members must follow marked paths and agreed access routes.
Fences may only be crossed at designated places where a style has been provided.
Fishing season:
Brown trout fishing: 22nd March to 30th September.
Grayling fishing: 15th June to 15th March.
Fishing
Only two rods are allowed on either beat at any time.
Booking in is by WhatsApp up to 24 hours in advance.
Members must check the WhatsApp group before going to the river to ensure a place is free.
Members may apply to the licensee to bring a guest in return for a donation to club funds. Details of guests must be submitted for approval in advance.
Methods
Fishing is by rod and line using artificial flies with barbless hooks.
When fishing members must have a wading stick, landing net, suitable disgorging tool and a priest.
Any recognised fly fishing technique may be employed.
No ground baiting.
No live bait, worms or prawns.
No spinning.
No trout under 10 inches (25.4cm) in length from snout to fork of tail may be taken and no member may take more than two fish in total in any one day. The minimum size of Grayling that may be taken is 30cm and the maximum size is 38cm.
Members are required to report the size and type of all fish caught and post details on the WhatsApp catch return group after each visit. Poachers
Unauthorised fishing is not permitted and is deemed to be poaching. A member coming across anyone fishing illegally should politely ask them to stop fishing and request them to leave the river. Members should on no account put themselves at risk. Report incidents to the licensee immediately. Get a description and a photo if possible.
Trespassers must be reported to the licensee immediately. Get a description and a photo if possible.
Conduct
Members must comply with the Angling code of conduct: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/angling-code-conduct
Members must be polite and cordial to the farmers and to the general public at all times.
Consideration must be given to local people particularly when going out early morning or in the evening. No slamming doors or disturbance.
Anyone not upholding honourable conduct may be expelled from the club or suspended at the sole discretion of the licensee.
No tackle, line, weights, rubbish or litter to be left behind.
No picnics or barbecues.
Dogs
Any member wishing to bring a dog must apply in writing to the licensee. If permission is granted the dog must be kept under control and kept away from livestock.
Refunds
If the club water is unavailable for fishing due to any unforeseen circumstances outside of the control of the licensee no refund shall be due.
If a member cancels their membership or is expelled from the club no refund shall be due.
Insurance
GWFF members will benefit from Angling Trust insurance cover whilst fishing on club water. This includes: • professional indemnity • property insurance • public and product liability • employers’ liability • personal accident • management liability • abuse cover The above package has liability limit of £10 million. Maps Gilling Beat
For Gilling beat park in the village near the old school or on the main road to Richmond where the track goes down to the sewage works.
Hartforth Beat
For Hartforth beat park on Water Lane and walk down the edge of the field to the beck. Alternatively park in village and follow footpath towards Hartforth then cross field at Goose Barn to north bank.