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RULES:
1. All Rods and Fishing Commoners must be in possession of a valid Environment Agency Fishing Licence.
2. Fishing is only permitted by Rods, Guests and Commoners at the discretion of the Water Keeper, and based on the rights of access granted.
3. Tickets and rod subscriptions are not transferable, and are only valid for the nominated day.
4. A Rod (but not Commoners) may allow an accompanied guest to fish in his/her stead not more than once a month, on prior notification of the Water Keeper at the Fishery Office.
5. Rods and Commoners must ensure that they and their guests are familiar with the Fishery Rules.
6. Fishingis by upstream dry-fly only between 1st May and 30th June. Upstream nymph fishing is permitted from 1st July with no hook larger than size 12 with a maximum shank length of 20mm (3/4”).
7. Wet flies, Lures or Goldheads may not be used.
8. Barbless hooks shall be used when fishing for Grayling after the close of Trout fishing season, and at all times when fishing Freeman’s Marsh.
9. The maximum catch is four (4) Brown or Rainbow Trout of Cacheable size, - i.e. 13” in length or 14oz in weight, in any one day. Only two fish can be taken from any one beat, listed on the back of the fishing return.
10. Undersized trout should be avoided but if caught, they should be returned to the water if undamaged and likely to survive; they should be handled very carefully whilst removing the hook, and returned to the water as quickly as possible.
11. Rods and Commoners must kill fish and take them when caught and leave the river after he has taken his limit. If particularly averse to killing fish, they may be released but a barbless hook must be used and the limit of four must be respected. Fish, which are damaged in any way, must be killed, taken and counted toward the limit of four.
12. Fishing for Grayling should be selective; shoals of Grayling should be targeted, general fishing is not permitted. Grayling fishing is only allowed in clear water conditions.
13. Wading is not permitted, except in Freeman’s Marsh.
14. Cleared paths on the riverside should be used by fishermen and guests only; where return paths exist they should be used to gain access to the Fishery. Where a bank has not been cleared it is out of bounds.
15. No fishing is permitted before 9.00am or later than one hour after sunset.
16. Non Fishing Guests may accompany Fishermen, but may not enter Dun Mill or Eddington Mill.
17. Catch returns: To assist in effective restocking of the river, all fishermen are asked to record their catches on the Catch Return Card supplied at the start of the season and to send it to the Water Keeper at the close of the Trout Fishing season (September 30th).
18. Freeman’s Marsh is considered to be one beat, where the Fishery Rules apply, but in addition it is requested that barbless hooks are used, and Brown Trout are returned to the water.
19. Fishing Restrictions:
War Memorial: Fishing from the War Memorial site in Bridge Street or from any bridge carrying a
public highway is prohibited.
Mill Hatch: Only Commoners may fish from the Mill Hatch lawn.
Dun Mill: Only Commoners may fish from the east side of Duffer’s Pool Bridge downstream to the
Denford road bridge.
20. Access Restrictions:
Access to the River during the fishing season is permitted to Rods and Fishing Commoners. There
is no right of access accorded during the close season.
Eddington Mill: Fishermen should preferably use the south bank of the Kennet above Eddington
Bridge and the footbridge crossing the side stream at Eddington Lake to gain access to the
Draughts. If using the north bank route, the sign-posted pathway around the back of
Eddington Mill and Eddington Lake must be carefully followed.
The right of way through Dun Mill from the Back Ditch to the Lower Meadow is not to be used on
Sundays.
The private drives to Eddington Mill and Dun Mill are out-of-bounds to all cars; there is no right of
way for fishermen along the drive to Eddington Mill. Vehicles are not permitted on to the
Lower Meadow.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
1. Rod subscriptions and tickets are issued subject to the Commoners’ right of fishing on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the season.
2. Tickets and rod subscriptions may only be obtained from the Hungerford Fishery Office and are not transferable.
3. Day tickets for guests of Rods and Commoners are available by application to the Water Keeper. The annual number of guest tickets per Rod and the number of tickets issued per day are limited at the discretion of the Water Keeper. As tickets are limited, Rods are recommended to apply in advance and are asked to give notice of cancellation as early as possible, at the latest on the eve of the nominated day otherwise they will be charged.
4. Public Liability; The Trustees of the Town and Manor of Hungerford accept no liability for personal injuries received by fishermen and guests whilst on their property; nor for any loss or damage to private or personal property. Annual risk assessments are carried out over the whole Fishery.
5. Car parking space is available at Denford between the River Kennet Bridge and the River Dun, and through the five-bar gate opposite the Total Garage on the A4. Rods wishing to fish Harvey’s Meadow should park in the lay-by, and there is space for a few cars on the roadside at the west access to Freeman's Marsh.
6. Wild Brown Trout are key in the development of the Fishery, and we are encouraged by the rise in our protected wild brown trout population, and we wish rods and commoners to join in our efforts by returning wild brown trout to the water where possible.
7. Dogs may accompany their owners on sufferance but Management would prefer that fishermen do not bring them; they must be kept under strict control and not allowed to dig or hunt. Dogs must not be taken into Dun Mill or Eddington Mill.
ETIQUETTE ON CHALK STREAM FISHING:
By the late Donald Macey
The basic rules and practices for chalk stream fishing are essential and should be understood and accepted by all, but agreement on the positive practices applicable to this fishing should be considered to be of more importance than rules forbidding certain practices. It is suggested that these positive practices are contained in the following sequence:
1. The spotting of a fish feeding or liable to feed by its rise or by direct view
2. The decision whether it is a worthy quarry
3. The stalking of the fish so that it is not disturbed
4. The presentation of the fly or nymph so that it deceives the individual fish into thinking it is natural food
5. The removal of the fly or nymph, if not taken by the fish, as soon as it has passed the quarry
All these apply equally to dry fly and to nymph fishing.
CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER FELLOW FISHERMEN:
Enjoyment of fishing by us all can well be spoilt by thoughtless and selfish behaviour. The main causes are:
1. Excessive crowding, cutting in upstream and hustling from below. A distance of at least 50 yards up stream and 50 yards downstream must be observed. When moving from one part of the river to another, please always use the access paths. If there are none please keep as far away as possible from the water's edge to avoid disturbing the fish and always give maximum consideration to the activities of other fishermen.
2. Walking up and down river casting blindly and repetitively, either nymph or fly is not chalk stream fishing and should be reserved for other waters. Such fishing usually does little more than frighten and disturb fish, and is totally banned on this fishery. Please fish selectively.
3. Allowing guests, children and partners who have no idea either of the rules or how to fish, to “have a go” is against the rules and detrimental to the fishing of everyone else. Rods and commoners are responsible for the behaviour of their guests and only guests of acceptable competence and experience are permitted. In no circumstances may the banks of the river be used as a playground.
The rules and the remarks written above are intended solely for the benefit of all of those who fish on the Hungerford Fishery. Please therefore respect and obey them without reservation.
It is always worthwhile pausing to remember that the length of chalk stream fishing in Britain, and indeed the World, is very limited, and it must be considered a unique privilege to fish any chalk stream. In fact, 90% of the world’s chalk streams are within 50 miles of Hungerford, as reported by the WWF. The Hungerford Fishery is perhaps the cream of one of the greatest. It is dedicated to the traditional recognised practices of chalk stream fishing and to the belief that there is a great deal more to the enjoyment of fishing than the catching of fish.
Updated: 31.12011
Hungerford Fishery Office
Keeper’s House
Bridge Street
Hungerford
Berkshire RG17 0EG
01488 685 039
Email: robertstarr@btconnect.com
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