GENERAL RULES
The fishing rules shall be those as printed on the current annual membership card and on current visitor permits and/or on association official publications/signs and on the Associations website. Each permit holder will be responsible for any damage they cause to property, fences, dykes, trees, etc. Please always leave gates as you find them. Any member or guest proven to have brought the name of Newton Stewart & District Angling Association into disrepute will be expelled from the Association forthwith. Any member or visitor found to be fishing illegally, or in breach of the rules will be liable to expulsion from the Association and their membership withdrawn for life. NO dogs allowed. It is illegal to sell any fish caught on Association waters.
Junior members must be accompanied by a water competent adult aged 21 or over.
RIVER RULES
1. The only LEGAL methods of fishing on Association waters, are by a single or double hand held rod and line, the terminal tackle can be single or multiple fly combinations of suitable size. The minimum size of wild brown trout to be taken is 12 inches. Spinning is permitted all season subject to water levels, and worm fishing using a hook with a minimum size of 1/0. (from 1st June to 30th September) is allowed subject to river level i.e. when there is NO yellow showing on the marker gauges. Bait fishing (worm only using a hook with a minimum size of 1/0. (from 1st June to 30th September) and spinning is permitted in the Ghyll pool east bank only, and below the A75 road bridge to end of beat (west bank only) irrespective of water height. Float fishing is only allowed on Ghyll pool. NO SHRIMP OR PRAWN FISHING – it is illegal. Fishing from bridges is strictly prohibited.
2. Permit holders bind themselves to always fish in a courteous and considerate manner. You MUST NOT enter a pool in front of another angler. You must enter behind the angler(s) in possession at a safe and reasonable distance. This rule applies whether fly fishing, spinning or worming or from either bank. You MUST take one step downstream after each cast. NO FIXED ENGINE FISHING i.e. the rod must be in hand at all times.
3. ALL salmon or grilse caught before 1st June MUST be returned, and that ALL fish to be returned after 30th September.
4. A maximum of two salmons/grilse can be killed for the SEASON. A maximum of two sea trout can be killed for the SEASON. ALL salmon over 10lb in weight MUST be returned – for the entire season.
5. All coloured fish, parr, smolts and kelts to be returned unharmed to the river.
6. Fishing with a bladed spinner (such as “flying C” or Mepps) shall only be permitted if the spinner is fitted with one single hook – for the ENTIRE SEASON.
7. It is a criminal offence to take a salmon before 1st April and may render you liable to prosecution. Even if the fish is dead or bleeding it must be returned.
8. RIVER CREE: West bank, from corner of concrete at middle of Suspension Bridge Pool to south march of Nether Barr Farm. East bank, from Whitehills march fence at the upper end of the Ghyll pool to the top end of Slaughterhouse Pool.
9. PENKILN BURN: West bank only, Auchinleck Bridge to Mattie Whites Bridge. Fly & spinning all season. Worm fishing 1st June to 31st August.
10. Wild Brown Trout Season: 15th March to 6th October.
11. SALMON Season: River Cree and Penkiln Burn, 1st March to 14th October.
12. SEA TROUT Season: 1st March to 15th August. After which ALL sea trout MUST be returned unharmed.
13. All sea trout under 12 inches in length OR over 2lbs in weight MUST be returned throughout the season with a two fish kill limit for the SEASON.
14. Foul hooked fish must be returned.
15. No Sunday fishing permitted.
16. Always carry your permit whilst fishing Association waters.
17. Catch returns: A catch return, including fishing effort (ie number of days fished) MUST be completed and returned to Murdo Crosbie, Old Dairy House, Barnkirk, Newton Stewart, DG8 6QD, email mcrosbie7@aol.com, this includes a NIL return, before the 10th November each year. A £20 fine will be levied on a non or late return.
18. Forceps must be carried to ensure safe unhooking.
19. High Cree – as per club website.
LOCH RULES
1. The only LEGAL methods of fishing on Association lochs is by single hand held rod and when fly fishing the terminal tackle can be single or multiple fly combinations of suitable sizes. Where bait fishing is allowed, this must be strictly WORM and POWER BAIY only on single hooks. No live baits are permitted by law. Where bait fishing is allowed it must be between the designated sign posted areas only.
2. Once first two fish are caught, catch and release – barbless hooks or crushed hooks must be used.
3. The two fish kill limit applies on all association lochs.
4. When bait fishing for trout the first 2 fish caught MUST be killed. Then bait fishing must cease.
5. WEE GLENAMOUR: Fly and bait fishing (worm and power bait on single hooks only).
6. FYNTALLOCH LOCH: Fly and bait fishing (worm and power bait on single hooks only).
7. LOCH OCHILTREE: Fly and bait only. Boats available, float tubes permitted (use at own risk), life jackets MUST be worn (not supplied).12” kill limit. All brown trout must be returned safely. Electric outboard motors only allowed.
8. KIRRIEOCH LOCH: Fly and bait fishing (worm and power bait only). 10” kill limit.
LOCH SEASONS:
ALL LOCHS: 15th March to 6th October except Wee Glenamour (Winter season 7th October to 14 February, closed 15th February to 14th March) and Loch Ochiltree (Winter season 7th October to 31st January on J&T Scott’s bank ONLY, closed 1st February to 14th March).
PIKE FISHING:
Loch Ochiltree & Fyntalloch Loch. FLY FISHING ONLY all seasons (15th March – 6th October (except Loch Ochiltree 15th March – 6th October (all areas) and 7th October – 31st January (J&T Scott’s bank ONLY)). A minimum 8/9 wt fly rod is to be used. All hooks to be a minimum size 6. Long nosed pliers and wire cutters to be carried at all times for unhooking and or hook cutting.
GENERAL MATTERS:
Pollution: Anyone seeing evidence of suspected pollution of the river, stream or loch, please contact SEPA on 01671 402618 IMMEDIATELY!
Any members wishing to draw attention to any matters to the Committee can do so by contacting The Secretary, David Pride on email pridedavid2@gmail.com or 07587028391.
Please inform Murdo Crosbie of all salmon/grilse/sea trout caught on the day of capture ASAP on e-mail mcrosbie7@aol.com or on 0779 865 3740
