The majority of our members fish for specimen fish and the club will give the highest priority to their interests. However, it will also support at least one water where invitation matches are welcome. 

The club favours a natural balance of species where practicable so that all of its waters have the potential to produce specimen fish of several species. Stocking levels will be maintained in all waters to ensure there are fish of specimen size but with limited ecological impact - e.g. on water clarity, weed growth, etc.

The club will maintain a bank-side environment which will provide peaceful and safe fishing for its members and which will support and promote wildlife. 

Priority will always be given to the well-being of fish when setting fishery rules. To this end, the Committee can at any time choose to temporarily close the fishery (or specific lakes) with minimal notice. Closures will be posted on the web-site as soon as possible.

Annual subscriptions will be set only to cover costs and to maintain a contingency margin. Membership numbers will be limited to ensure the lakes are not overcrowded at any time. 

Junior Members: Our policy is to ensure that all people under 18 on our waters are accompanied

closely by a relative at all times. Our rules make it clear that the relative is responsible for the young

persons safety in all respects. The club will investigate and take action on any safeguarding concern

involving Junior Members and keep a detailed and confidential record.

Adult Members: Our policy is to take action on any concerns that are raised by club members, or on

behalf of club members. We will ensure that detailed and confidential records are raised in the

event of an incident or concern that relates to safeguarding issues, e.g. bullying or social media abuse.

General: The club will appoint a Welfare Officer, whose name will be on the website, but concerns

may be raised with any member of the Committee. Confidentiality requests will always be honoured.

In the extremely unlikely event of a serious incident that could lead to the involvement of the police

or an insurance claim, the Welfare Officer will immediately produce a report and notify the Lead

Safeguarding Officer of the Angling Trust.

The principal duty of the Committee is to set fishery management objectives, to get them approved by the members and to manage their completion. The committee will also deal with finances, permits, budget control and day-to-day issues including; maintenance, communication and interaction with other site users and the local community and disciplinary matters. It will produce a 5-year plan and monitor and report on progress.

There will be a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer who will be different individuals. Each will be elected to their post by the Committee. There will be 5 additional Committee members who will have specific responsibility for managing the individual lakes, i.e. up to 8 members in total, each with a specified role. For any major urgent decision all Committee members must be consulted wherever possible.

Cheques must be signed by the Treasurer and either the Chairman or Secretary. A bank statement must be presented by the Treasurer at each Committee meeting, listing cheque and electronic transfers. Electronic payments can only be made with the approval of 2 of: Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary.

Committee members will not receive any expenses, but will receive a 24 hour permit free of charge after 2 full years of service whilst actively serving on the committee.

The Committee will post all information pertaining to the club on the club’s web-site, www.arcrepton.org. No other form of communication will be provided to club members other than electronic Newsletters, unless requested.

The website will contain:

· The Constitution (this document)

· Minutes of previous AGM

· Key points from committee meetings

· Notices of temporary closures

· A communication portal. This can be used to:

o raise questions

o report issues

o request membership information

· Membership subscription due date

· Notice of upcoming work parties

· Changes to club rules post the AGM

It is your responsibility to check the web-site prior to fishing to check the current status of the fishery. Please visit the web-site on a regular basis to be kept up-to-date with all of the current news.

The Committee members will normally offer themselves for re-election en-bloc at the AGM. If there is an objection to this principle it must be notified to the Secretary at least 2 weeks before the AGM so that an alternative procedure can be agreed. 

Committee vacancies will be identified on the club website. Applications for election must be received by the Secretary at least 2 weeks before the AGM. 

In the event of a mid-term resignation, the Committee may invite a replacement, who must then seek election at the next AGM. 

Committee meetings will normally be held monthly. Absence from more than 3 meetings without good reason will be taken as resignation.

The date, time and venue of the Annual General Meeting will be published on the website.  Issues raised in writing with the Secretary at least 2 weeks before the AGM will be published on the website and included in the agenda and voted on if necessary. 

Other issues can be raised without notice under “any other business” and action taken if required. However, any AOB issue judged by the Chairman to require detailed consideration will be reported on in the website and carried over to the next AGM for approval if necessary. 

Statements will be made by the Committee at the AGM on finances, membership and subscription rates. These will be approved/rejected on a simple majority vote. Progress against the five-year plan will be presented, and any longer term plans will also be summarised. 

Any changes proposed to this Constitution or to Fishery Rules must be supported by a 2 to 1 vote at the AGM.  

A Special General Meeting can be called at any time in response to a written request to the Secretary which is supported by at least 20 signatures.  Any vote at the SGM must be supported by a 2 to 1 majority. No other issues may be raised at the SGM.

Membership must be renewed before May 1st each year. After this date unclaimed tickets will be re-allocated to anglers on the waiting list. Priority will be given to anglers on the waiting list that are sponsored by existing members. These existing members are expected to take responsibility for the behaviour of any sponsored anglers. Other new members will be admitted in date order of application. Entry to the waiting list is open to all, but the Committee can refuse membership. The Committee can also refuse renewal of membership.

The waiting list will be closed when the committee decides it has grown too long. Closure and reopening will be notified on the website.

Subscriptions for the various classes of membership will be proposed by the Committee for approval at the AGM.

There are 4 classes of membership: 

· A “24 hour permit” for two rods on all lakes. This is classed as the Triple A (AAA) ticket.

· A “Basic permit” covering dawn-to-dusk fishing for two rods on all lakes except the Lagoon. 

• A "Basic+ permit" will be made available on the discretion of the committee for members showing a significant contribution to the club. This will allow 24 hour access to Ash and Bailiffs.

· A ”Single rod/pole permit” covering dawn-to-dusk fishing on the Ash Pit and Bailiffs Pit only. 

· Junior membership: available to under-18 year olds who are related to members. Juniors must be included on the senior member’s permit. The Senior member (relative) is responsible for the young

persons safety in all respects.

Limited guest permits are available for existing members in possession of a 24 Hour ticket.

This guest permit allows for a single angler to fish with the existing member for up to 48 hours on either the Bailiffs or Ash pit, and costs £25 for each night or day session and must be paid in advance (via BACS or cash payment to the Water Manager).

Applications for guest tickets must be made via the "contact us" form on the website or, directly through the appropriate Water Manager.

All of the club rules apply, and the member takes full responsibility for their guest.

It is essential that the appropriate Water Manager gives approval at least 24 hours before the fishing session begins. Therefore no guests are allowed without first receiving confirmation of the booking.

Disciplinary issues will be resolved by the Committee, and may result in suspension or expulsion. No warnings will be given for breaking clearly defined rules.  Decisions will be notified in writing.

All members who are physically fit are expected to assist in fishery maintenance. Attendance at one of the programmed work parties each year is required to retain or to support a claim for a 24hour permit.  Several work parties will be held each year with attendee numbers limited on each work party. Therefore, it is the members responsibility to ensure that they book their desired date as early as possible to ensure attendance. Dates will be posted on the website.

There are no official Bailiffs. All members are expected to take action or report on matters of concern. It is your fishery and therefore your responsibility to maintain and to police it.

All of the rules below are focussed on two overriding requirements:

· Protection of our fish and fishery

· Respect for other anglers

Any behaviour which acts against these requirements will be liable to disciplinary action, even if it is not specified in the rules below:

1. Fishing times are given on the website. Anglers may not remain within the airport gates over-night unless they have a 24 hour permit.

2. The 24 Hour permit allows night fishing, but this is limited to 3 nights within any 7-day period per lake. Any further nights fished within that 7-day period must be fished on another lake.

3. 2 rods are permitted for the 24 hour and Basic permits. Both must be fished from one swim.

4. Rods must not be left unattended.

5. No publicity is to be given about our fish, waters or members in any media form.

6. No fish are to be removed from our waters. Anglers will not only be banned for this, but their offence will be publicised and notified to other clubs.

7. No fish are to be moved into or between our waters without approval by the Committee. It is vital to protect our stocks from disease. 

8. Use of bait boats is prohibited

9. Boats must only be used for work parties and under supervision of a least one Committee member Life vests must be worn at all times whilst using the boats.

10. Under 18‘s must be properly supervised by an adult club member.

11. Any litter in a swim must be removed - even if it there when you arrive

12. Gates: never leave the high gates to the Ash Pit and Top Lakes unlocked, even if you find them open. Always lock the airport entrance gate behind you if you find it locked. Always lock the airport gate if you find it open outside working hours (approximately 8am until 6pm). It is very important that our club is not responsible for any security breach at the airport.

13. Non- members are not permitted on club waters, or on ARC land. 

1. All carp and specimen fish must be handled on unhooking mats. 

2. No fish shall be kept in a sack or retainer for more than one hour.

1. No baiting other than in the swim you are fishing.

2. Pre-baiting must be done with consideration for other anglers. If you wish to pre-bait a swim while other anglers are fishing you should get their agreement. 

3. Live bait must be caught from the water being fished. This is to protect our fish stock from imported disease. 

1. Braid mainlines are not permitted for any form of fishing, except very heavy braid for lure fishing only.

2. There must be only one knot between the hook-link and the mainline, i.e. no leader of any form (shock-leader, lead-core, fluorocarbon, quicksilver, plastic coated, etc.) is to be used. Our waters contain too many snags to risk fish tethering.

3. Rig tube and braided hook-links are acceptable.

4. Fixed leads or any rig liable to cause tethering are banned. This includes, but is not limited to, any rig or product that is considered to be an "automatic hooking rig/product".

5. Tackle must be fit for purpose: our waters hold specimen fish and contain snags and bars, many of which are not visible. Please use hooks, lines and tackle appropriate to your quarry and its habitat.

Fishing for Pike will be allowed for all members, on all lakes from 1st October until 31st March inclusive within the limitations of an individual’s membership (i.e. number of rods).

No pike fishing will be allowed outside of these times whether by lure or by bait.

Any live bait must be caught from the lake being fished.