Club rules

All members and visiting anglers should familiarise themselves with the association rules for fishing on Upper Beat One, Foundry Beat, and the Tidal Beat. Rules can vary on the different sections of association water to accommodate the different kinds of fishing that are made available to all our members and visiting anglers. Rules are enforced by the Executive Committee, appointed auxiliary bailiffs, and by regular bailiffs who frequently patrol the beat and may ask for your fishing permit, inspect your fishing gear, or your bagged catch.

Note 1: It’s illegal to sell rod caught salmon in Scotland

Note 2: Sea trout are covered by the same statuary Scottish law as salmon and are subject to the rules governing salmon fishing on Beat 1.

* These rules were adopted and approved by the river owners on the 15th August 2018.

* Rule 5 was modified for the website on the 7th October 2021.

Fly fishing only using conventional single or double-handed fly rods on beat 1. No other type of rod, lure, or bait is permitted. The use of gaffs or tailers is not permitted, the preferred method of securing fish is by landing net.

No Fishing is allowed on Beat 1 on Sunday or between the hours of 22:30 (or sooner when darkness falls earlier) to 04:00 on any other day.

Under no circumstances is casting from any bridge allowed. Doing so may inflict injury to pedestrians.

All salmon caught before the 1st of May must be returned to the river. After the 1st of May, salmon anglers may retain one salmon caught in any one week and no more than one salmon on any one day. All salmon 9 pounds or over must be returned. The catch return total is to include all kept/returned fish and must be reported within 24 hours on the catch/return email that was sent to you along with your booking confirmation. If you caught nothing please tick the appropriate box. Failure to do so will result in a warning letter with repeat violators possibly being banned. Visitors, please follow the instructions on your fishing permit to report any fish caught/released.

Brown trout fishing is available only to junior members on the Foundry Beat and not allowed on the Upper or Tidal beats which are reserved for salmon fishing only. Junior anglers must not use hooks larger than size 10, or casts (leaders) with a breaking strain greater than 4lbs (1.8Kgs). Any salmon or sea trout caught by any junior member fishing for brown trout must be returned.

6. Visitors may book on at any time if there are sessions available. Only two visitors are allowed per session, day, days, or per week. If two visitors are booked on then three members are allowed to book on. Charges to Visitors will be £40.00 per person per session. Available to each member will be TWO guest session bookings per season which are charged at £40.00 per session.

Fishing for salmon and sea trout on the tidal beat is governed by the following: Only single-handed rods (sea trout/grilse) may be used in conjunction with floating lines. The use of treble hooks is not authorized on the Legion Pool. Leaders cannot exceed 8lb (3.6kgs) breaking strain. If two anglers are booked on the same session on the TIDAL WATER, they will rotate on and off the pool every 15 minutes so each angler gets equal shared time on the pool.

Care is to be used when returning all fish to the river. All coloured hen fish must be returned from 1st August and thereafter. All hen fish must be returned from 1st September until the end of the season.

Wading in any named pool is strictly prohibited.

Code of conduct

We promote freedom of expression and open communication. But we expect all members to follow our code of conduct. They should avoid offending, participating in serious disputes, and disrupting our association. We also expect them to foster a well-organized, respectful and collaborative environment within the association.

Respect in the association

All members should respect their fellow members, serving committeemen, the river superintendent, and the river owners. We won’t allow any kind of discriminatory behaviour or harassment of any members. This includes verbal or written abuses directed at the river owners or any member of the association.

Protection and Care of Association Property Owned or Leased

All members should treat the river owner’s property, whether material or intangible, with respect and care. Clean up after yourself, pick up litter if you see it, and keep the fishing huts clean for all members. Be respectful of nearby farmers' property especially mindful of closing gates and not littering.

Constitution, Rules and Members Agreement

These documents are to be read, understood, and followed by the membership. They are instrumental in the river owner’s guidance and management of association water, the executive committee, and the association's members.

Communication

All members must be open to communication with the committee. The preferred method is through Email, the association's Facebook page, or by telephone. Communication is necessary to disseminate information of interest to the members.

Disciplinary actions

Our Association may have to take disciplinary action against members who repeatedly or intentionally fail to follow our code of conduct. Disciplinary actions will vary depending on the violation. Possible consequences include Reprimand or for serious offenses, termination of membership, and a lifelong ban. Any restrictions imposed upon a member will remain in force indefinitely unless revoked by written correspondence from the secretary. The EXECUTIVE committee reserves the right and has the authority to remove anyone from the Thurso Angling Association membership.

This code of conduct was adopted and approved by the river owners 15th August 2018.