Rules & Constitution of Middlesbrough Angling Club

CONTENTS (Updated Nov’23):
Middlesbrough Angling Club Rules
Hutton Rudby Ponds Rules
Marske Reservoir Rules
Marske Reservoir Night Syndicate Rules
Middlesbrough Angling Club Match Rules
Middlesbrough Angling Club Constitution

 

MIDDLESBROUGH ANGLING CLUB RULES

  1. A maximum of TWO RODS may be used at any time on all Club Waters, except The Back Pond (Pond 2) at Hutton Rudby where only One Rod or Pole may be used at any one time.
  1. The Annual General Meeting shall be held on the last Monday in November. Membership fees are discussed and declared at the Annual General Meeting. Members must hold a current E.A Rod license, Members under the age of 13 do not require an E.A Rod license.
  1. Entrance Fees – Entrance fee shall be 50% of the Full Membership fee. Youth Members, 14 to 17 Years, holding a junior E.A. Rod License £10.00 – No entrance fee. Junior Members under the age of 14 £5.00 – No entrance fee.
  1. All Juniors under the age of 14 to be accompanied by an adult member at all times. 
  1. Disabled and O.A.P. Members entrance £10 plus Membership fee. 
  1. Guardian fee £10
  1. Night syndicate Entrance fee £20 plus Membership Fee plus Night syndicate fee
  1. Current and Prospective Members claiming disabled benefits and wishing to claim a disabled concessionaire membership MUST apply to the M.A.C. committee, in writing – this will be considered by the committee and administered at their discretion.
  1. No Members are allowed to fish on club waters, or take part in any Club competition who are not fully paid up members (excluding open matches).
  1. Membership fees become due on January 1st and must be paid no later than March 31st. No fishing until Membership fees are paid, failure to do so will result in automatic cessation of membership, and re-application for membership will be necessary. Membership fees are payable by post or in local Tackle shops. If paying by post, please enclose your old year card and a stamped addressed envelope. Membership Application forms are available from local tackle shops.
  1. All cheques to be made payable to Middlesbrough Angling Club.
  1. Every member shall have issued to them a Club rule book and current year card entitling them to fish the waters of the Club in accordance with the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Acts or any bylaws made in pursuance thereof. These must be carried whenever fishing MAC Club waters and when requested be shown to any other Member, riparian owner, tenant, or appointed water bailiff. Lost Membership cards and Rule books can be replaced upon payment of £5.
  1. No fish including Eels may be taken from Club water except Trout (10” overall or greater) 4 in any one day.  No fish shall be taken away for re-stocking purposes without previous consent in writing from the Committee.  No fish must be introduced to any Club water without permission in writing from the Committee.
  1. The following must be observed on all waters at all times: Remove all Litter (even if it is not yours).  NO Alcohol, Drugs, Guns, Dogs, Fires, Camping, Swimming and radios without headphones, no Fly Fishing, Spinning or Lure Fishing, Plastic/ Imitation baits, Peanuts or Tiger nuts, No boats except Club boats used for maintenance (bait boats may be used on Marske reservoir).
  1. No Night Fishing on club waters – (Night Syndicate Members at Marske reservoir only) Always observe the Country Code. No tins or glass bottles on any waters.
  1. No member will be allowed to fish on running water within 30 yards of his neighbour except by invitation of a member holding any particular position.
  1. All complaints to be made in writing to the Secretary.
  1. Marske Reservoir and Hutton Rudby Ponds will remain open throughout the year.  All River Swale waters are closed during the coarse fishing close season 15th March to 15th June inclusive. River Tees at Low Dinsdale fly fishing only during coarse fishing close season
  1. Breach of any of the rules of the Club will liable the offender to expulsion, with the loss of any monies paid.
  1. Should anything transpire for which these Rules do not provide, it shall be referred to the Committee for settlement.
  1. THAT NEITHER  the Club nor its Committee nor its Members should be liable or responsible in any way whatsoever for any damage, injury, death or loss whatsoever or howsoever occasioned to any member of the Club, member of his or her family, or any visitor to waters (being rivers or ponds or other stretches of water) owned leased or fished by the Club or its members or visitors as aforesaid howsoever caused and without prejudice to the generality of the aforegoing, neither the Club, its Committee, nor its Members shall be liable or responsible in any way for any damage, injury, death or loss as aforesaid, caused by the proximity or presence of overhead or underground power cables at, or being in such a position at such waters as aforesaid as may be caught, touched or contacted in any way by any rod, line or other piece or part of any equipment being used or about to be used by any member of the Club, member of his or her family, or any visitor at such waters as aforesaid.

 

 HUTTON RUDBY PONDS RULES

  1. All Anglers must carry their current Club Year Card and must, when requested, show it to any other Member or appointed Club Bailiff 
  2. TWO rods or ONE pole allowed on The Front Pond (Pond 1), ONE Rod or Pole allowed on The Back Pond (Pond 2) 
  3. Use a suitable sized landing net (minimum 20 inches), no fish to be placed on the ground unless on a recognised quality unhooking mat. 
  4. Fishing is from one designated peg only. 
  5. Do not leave your rod or pole unattended unless your line is out of the water and un-baited. 
  6. No surface bait fishing of any kind (e.g., dog biscuits, bread, or floating pellets. 
  7. No carp in keep nets except during competitions, crucians may be placed in keep nets. 
  8. No Nuts of any kind, Boilies only in moderation. 
  9. No Alcohol, Drugs, Guns, Fly Fishing, Spinning or Lure Fishing, Dogs, Fires, Camping, Radios without headphones, Swimming, No boats except for work parties, No tins or glass bottles. All Ledger & Feeder rigs must be free running, No Fixed rigs. 
  10. Barbless Hooks Only 
  11. Take all litter home with you, including cigarette ends. 
  12. All fish to be returned to the water on the peg where you are fishing, not be carried around the lake. 
  13. No members allowed on the fishery before 6am and must leave at dusk, dusk is when the streetlamps go on in Campion Lane. 
  14. Check site notice board for amendments and updates.

 

MARSKE RESERVOIR RULES

  1.  All Anglers must carry their current Year Card and must, when requested, show it to any other member or appointed Club Bailiff. 
  2.  Members are advised there is now a TWO rod or One pole limit at Marske Reservoir. 
  3.  No Fish shall be taken away for any purpose. No fish of any sort to be introduced to the water, unless authorised by the committee. 
  4.  The following to be observed at all times: NO Alcohol, Drugs, Guns, Dogs, Fires, Camping or Caravans 
    NO Radios without headphones, Swimming or Boats except Club boat, NO Fly Fishing, Spinning, Lure Fishing, Plastic or Imitation baits 
    NO Braided mainline 
    All Ledger & Feeder Rigs must be free running, No Fixed rigs. 
    Barbless hooks only 
    Fishing from 6am to Sunset Only (Except Night Syndicate see separate Rules) 
    Remove all Litter. 
  5.  Fish only from the Stations provided. 
  6.  Only Anglers to be present over the protective parapet wall. 
  7.  Do not interfere with any equipment buildings, overflow, fences or safety equipment. 
  8.  No damage to be inflicted to the reservoir and banking for any reason whatsoever. 
  9.  Park with consideration for fellow Club Members. 
  10.  Junior members under 14 must be accompanied by an adult member at all times. 
  11.  All anglers must carry a current E.A. Rod Licence. 
  12.  No Carp in keep nets. 
  13.  Minimum Keep-net size 2.5 metres. 
  14.  An Angler may only fish from one Station at a time. No baited rods to be left unattended. 
  15.  No fish to be placed on the ground unless on a recognised quality unhooking mat, 20-inch (minimum) landing nets must be used. 
  16.  No standing holding fish for photographs 

 GATES MUST BE LOCKED AT ALL TIMES 

 

MIDDLESBROUGH ANGLING CLUB MARSKE RESERVOIR NIGHT SYNDICATE

  1. Application in writing to Middlesbrough Angling Club Membership Secretary. 
  2. Applicants must have been a Member of the Club for a minimum of 3 years. 
  3. Successful Applicants are subject to a 12-month probation period. 
  4. Membership will be reviewed Annually. 
  5. Night syndicate membership fee and MAC membership fee must be paid in full by January 31st each year. 
  6. No angler under the age of eighteen years. 
  7. Syndicate open to no more than 35 members, and the Winter night syndicate with no more than 10 members. 
  8. Members are advised that there is now a TWO rod or ONE pole limit at Marske reservoir. 
  9. Spokesperson to represent syndicate (Night Syndicate Organiser) to be the Marske Fishery Officer. 
  10. Members to act as bailiffs during hours of darkness. 
  11. Maximum time on water forty-eight hours, with a forty-eight-hour gap before next session. 
  12. No Tilly Lamps, open fires, or Barbecues 

GENERAL COMMENTS 
Peanuts and Tiger nuts are not allowed on any M.A.C. waters. 
The use of electric bait boats does not allow you to cross over other anglers’ pegs. 
Rods should not be left unattended. 
No carp to be retained in keep nets. 
Barbless hooks only. 
All current MAC rules should be adhered to. 
Overnight fishing should not be used as an excuse for camping. 
No pre-baiting. 
No Fishing on the Night before a match 

GATES MUST BE LOCKED AT ALL TIMES 

 

MIDDLESBROUGH ANGLING CLUB MATCH RULES 

  1. Matches normally shall be “pegged down” competitions. 
  2. An independent person must always witness the weighing of fish, and each competitor shall be responsible for ensuring the correct weight of his catch is recorded. 
  3. Match officials have the right to examine any containers carried by competitors prior to the match upon reasonable request by any other competitor. 
  4. No bait may be given to any competitor during a match. 
  5. Peg numbers to remain in position until the match is over and the angler weighed in. 
  6. Before the starting signal (all in) competitors are allowed to position platforms, plumb up, position keep nets & collect water. No pre baiting. 
  7. RIVERS – Wading is allowed on shallow stretches, but only up to halfway except in cases of islands where access is allowed prior to the start. 
  8. On running water, fishing shall be anywhere between the top of the peg drawn and the peg downstream. On still waters fish within 1 yard of peg and as far as half the distance between pegs on either side. Where competitors are drawn on opposite sides of the water, the limit of his swim will be a line midway between each waters edge. Neither person, tackle, baits or ground baits may intrude into other competitors swim. 
  9. A competitor shall have in use only one rod/pole/line and one hook at any time, but may have other rod/poles and tackles assembled for use in a position behind him, provided that such tackles are not baited. Baiting with a pole cup while fishing with a rod is prohibited.
  10. Any bait, subject to local rules, may be used except live or dead fish, spinner baits or artificial lures. All ground bait may be thrown in by hand, by catapults, throwing sticks, swim feeders and bait droppers and pole pots but no other mechanical means of projecting ground bait is allowed.
  11. Competitors must play and land their own fish, except in the case of junior members. Competitors cease fishing at the finishing signal, but may be allowed no more than 15 minutes to land fish hooked prior to the finishing signal. All fish are eligible for weighing except Salmon, Trout, Pike, Crustaceans, Bullheads, Minnows and Sticklebacks unless otherwise stated.
  12. Any infringement not covered by the above or disputes between Anglers are to be referred to the match organisers.
  13. No unauthorised matches on M.A.C. waters.
  14. Competitors on matches held at Hutton Rudby must position a minimum of two keep nets one of which is to be for silver fish.
  15. Competitors on the matches held at Marske reservoir are reminded that No Carp are to be placed in keep nets, they will be weighed and released by the match organisers.
  16. It is the Competitors responsibility to familiarise themselves with these rules.

 

MIDDLESBROUGH ANGLING CLUB CONSTITUTION 

1. Title 
1.1 The club shall be called “Middlesbrough Angling Club”, hereafter to be referred to as “The Club”

2. Objects
2.1 To foster and promote the sport of Angling at all levels, providing opportunities for recreation and competition. To renovate and preserve fisheries and further all other things which are conducive to the sport of Angling and the good of the community.

3. Membership
3.1 Membership of the Club is open to any person completing a membership application and paying the relevant fees, subject to approval by the Committee. 

3.2 There shall be six classes of membership.

These are;
Adult Member
Concession (OAP, Disabled)
Life Member
Youth Member 14yrs – 17yrs
Junior member under 14yrs
Guardian (non-fishing)

4. Expulsion of Members
4.1 Members of the Club whose conduct is inappropriate or who decline to abide by any of the rules or bylaws may be expelled or suspended by resolution passed at a meeting of the committee where their entrance fee and subscriptions may be forfeited.
Members shall have the right to appeal in person to the committee with regard to any decision affecting themselves, provided that notice of such appeal be submitted to the committee, in writing, within seven days of notification of the decision.

5. Officers
5.1 The officers of the club shall be as follows:
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Secretary
Fisheries Officers
Match Secretaries
Club Welfare Officer 

General Committee
5.2 The maximum number of Officers, at any one time, shall be Ten.

6. Election of Officers 
6.1 All Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Club, from, and by the Members of the Club.

6.2 All Officers are selected for a period of one year but may be re-elected to the same office or another office the following year. Committee members agree to a three-month handover period when leaving their roles, to ensure the smooth running of the Club. Any Committee members wishing to step down must give 3 months’ notice.

7. General Committee
7.1 The affairs of the club shall be managed by the Committee. The Committee shall meet at agreed intervals and not less than four times per year.

7.1.1 The Officials and Committee shall have the authority to borrow money from Banks and/or Club Members to raise capital for the club.

7.2 The duties of the General Committee shall be;

7.2.1 To manage the affairs of the club on behalf of the members.

7.2.2 To keep accurate accounts of the finances of the Club through the Treasurer. These should be available for reasonable inspection by the members and should be reviewed by an independent Accountant before every Annual General Meeting. The Club shall maintain a bank current account and the following officers shall be authorised to sign Club cheques and authorise transfers, Treasurer, Secretary, membership Secretary and one other officer, with two signatures required to authorise cheques/transfers.

7.2.3 To co-opt additional members to the Committee when the Committee feels this is necessary. Co-opted members shall not be entitled to a vote on the Committee.

7.2.4 To make decisions on the basis of a simple majority vote. In the case of equal votes, the chairperson shall carry the casting vote. On major decisions all committee members must be in attendance and must vote.

 7.3 Officers of the Club who are absent from four consecutive meetings may be removed from office, irrespective of apologies for absence received for previous meetings. 

8. Annual General Meeting
8.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held on the last Monday in November. To attend the AGM, members must produce a current valid membership card. 

 8.2 Members must advise the Secretary in writing of any additional business to be heard at the Annual General Meeting prior to the Pre AGM-Committee Meeting which is held on the last Monday in October 

8.3 Nomination of candidates for election as Officers or General Committee Members shall be made in writing to the Secretary prior to the Pre AGM-Committee Meeting, which is held on the last Monday in October. Nominations can only be made by Full Club Members and must be seconded by another Full Club Member. All applicants must have a minimum of 3 years continuous membership.

8.4 The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be to:

8.4.1 Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.

8.4.2 Receive the independently reviewed annual accounts from the Treasurer.

8.4.3 Receive any relevant information from the Secretary.

8.4.4 Elect the Officers of the Club (Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Fisheries Officers, Match Secretaries, Club Welfare Officer, and other General Committee Members.

8.4.5 Review Club Annual Membership fees and agree them for the forthcoming year.

8.4.6 Transact any additional business received from Members and included on the agenda, as per 8.2.

8.5 At all Meetings, the Chair will be taken by the Chairperson or agreed Deputy. The Deputy agreed by the Officers and General Committee.

8.6 The Chair reserves the right to end the AGM early with any further business still to be conducted being dealt with at a later date.

8.7 Decisions made at  the Annual General Meeting shall be by a simple majority of votes from those members attending the meeting. In the event of equal votes, the Chairperson shall carry the casting vote. 

8.8 The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be four Officers or General Committee members of the Club but must include either Chairperson or Secretary or Treasurer.

8.9 Special General Meetings may be convened by the Officers or General Committee of the Club, or, on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing, from not less than Ten Full Members of the Club. A minimum of 21 days’ notice of the meeting shall be given.

9. Alterations to the Constitution
9.1 Any proposed alterations to the Club Constitution may only be considered at an Annual or Special General Meeting, convened with the required notice of the proposal. Any alteration or amendment must be proposed by a Full Member of the Club and seconded by another Full Member. Such alterations shall be passed if supported by a simple majority of those Full Members present at the meeting, assuming that a quorum has been achieved.

Updated: November 2023 Annual General Meeting