AFAN VALLEY ANGLING and CONSERVATION CLUB (AVACC) AND NATURAL RESOURCES WALES (NRW) RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR 2024 SEASON
Afan Valley Angling and Conservation Club (AVACC) General Club Rules:
1 Only one rod per person is allowed. The month of March is fly fishing only. Bait (worm) fishing is not allowed in March, and spinning is only allowed from the 1st of June.
2 Amended as follows:
Flies for all species including non-migratory trout, must be on barbless or de-barbed hooks. Singles, doubles and tube combinations are allowed as per NRW by-laws, Bait fishing for non-migratory trout and migratory trout (sewin) “All hooks must be single barbless or de-barbed and comply with NRW by-laws” please note that bait fishing for salmon is prohibited. Spinning for all species including non-migratory trout- All hooks must be barbless or de-barbed and comply with NRW by-laws.
3 No float fishing is allowed.
4 No more than two fish to be retained in any week (Sunday – Saturday inclusive).
5 No fish under 9 inches (22.8cm) to be retained.
6 The Club permit to fish is NOT transferrable.
7 Fishing for non-migratory brown trout is only allowed 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
8 No fishing is allowed in the fish pass pool below the fish pass at Green Park Weir nor is it permissible to fish between Green Park Weir and the road bridge downstream.
9 No fishing is allowed within 20 yards upstream of Green Park Weir.
10 No fishing is allowed in side-streams.
11 Anglers must vacate a pool within 20 minutes if requested by another angler waiting to fish that position.
12 Dogs are allowed with anglers apart from “Beat A” (NRW Requirements) where dogs are not allowed with anglers. Where dogs are allowed, they must be kept under control at all times.
13 No fires to be lit.
14 All NRW by-laws must be observed (APART FROM AVACC LOCAL RULES AS DETAILED ABOVE).
15 All members must carry their Permits when fishing the River Afan. These must be produced when demanded by any Club Bailiff or fellow Club member.
16 All Police, NRW and Afan Valley Angling and Conservation Club Bailiffs have the right to inspect bags etc. Anyone challenged whilst fishing and not able to produce their Club Permit will be asked to leave the waters.
17 Every member must take out the appropriate NRW Licence prior to commencing to fish.
18 A fish Catch Return must be submitted to the Membership Secretary with their renewal form. Please be aware that the submission of a Fish Catch Return is a condition of your membership.
19 No fishing is allowed in the River Corrwg and Gwynfi.
20 Membership of the Club will be withdrawn if any of these Rules are deliberately broken by the holder of the Permit.
COVID 19 CLUB MEMBERS MUST ADHERE TO ALL WELSH GOVERNMENT (CURRENT) RESTRICTIONS FOR ANGLING. These can be found here https://fishingwales.net/covid-19-guidance/
NRW BY-LAWS & Catch & Release Advice
Whilst the Club makes every effort to ensure that the NRW By-Laws are correct at the time of printing, the Club cannot be held responsible for any errors contained in the advice below and anglers MUST refer to the current NRW By-Laws as specified on the NRW Website.
1 Fishing Season opening and closing dates:
Non migratory (brown) trout: March 3rd – September 30th
Salmon & Sea trout: March 20th – October 17th
2 Fishing Methods & Dates:
Non-Migratory Fish (brown) Trout:
SEASON: March 3rd – September 30th
FISHING METHODS: The month of March is designated as Fly fishing only with a single rod and line. No bait (worm) fishing is allowed. No spinning is allowed.
In addition to Fly fishing, Bait fishing is allowed April 1st – September 30th Bait is worm only, no other bait is allowed.
In addition to Fly fishing and bait fishing Spinning is allowed from June 1st – September 30th
Migratory Fish Sea Trout (Sewin):
SEASON: March 20th – October 17th
FISHING METHODS: March 20th to April 30th Fly fishing only with a single rod and line. No bait fishing (worm) is allowed. No spinning is allowed.
In addition to Fly fishing, Bait (worm) fishing is allowed between May 1st – September 30th Bait (worm), fishing is prohibited during the month of October.
In addition to Fly fishing and Bait fishing, Spinning is allowed between June 1st – October 17th
Bait (worm), fishing is not permitted during the month of October.
Migratory Fish Salmon:
SEASON: March 20th – October 17th
FISHING METHODS:
Fly fishing March 20th – October 17th
March 20th – May 31st Fly fishing only with a single rod and line.
In addition to Fly fishing, Spinning is allowed between June 1st – October 17th
NOTE! BAIT FISHING FOR SALMON IS PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES.
3 Hooks & Bait Restrictions:
Non migratory (brown) trout restrictions:
Only one hook is allowed with lures and bait unless the gape of the hook (measured from the shank to the point) does not exceed 10mm (0.375 inch) with the exception that the gape of hooks attached to a plug bait may be up to 13mm (0.5 inch) and the plug is used without any weight. In no case shall any bait or lure have more than nine hooks and no weight or sinker can be attached below the lure or bait.
Migratory Fish Sea Trout (Sewin):
All hooks you use must be barbless or de-barbed. Fly refers to unweighted artificial fly of less than 5g in weight.
Flies (trebles) are allowed up to 7mm gape – approximately a size 8. If you use larger singles or doubles, they must be de-barbed or barbless.
Tandem and ‘secret’ weapon type flies are not prohibited up to a maximum of 4 points. Treble hooks must be less than 7mm.
Only single hooks are allowed on spinners, spoons or plugs, with a maximum gape of 13mm.
You can use up to a maximum of 3 singles on a plug.
Using treble hooks on spinners, plugs or spoons is not permitted.
Bait fishing for sea trout is allowed, with small hook gape size of 8mm (approximately size 8) and a single worm.
Groundbait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time.
Migratory Fish Salmon:
All hooks you use must be barbless or de-barbed hooks. Fly refers to unweighted artificial fly of less than 5g in weight.
Salmon flies (trebles) are allowed up to 7mm gape – approximately a size 8.
Only single hooks are allowed on spinners, spoons or plugs, with a maximum gape of 13mm. You can use up to a maximum of 3 singles on a plug.
Using treble hooks on spinners, plugs or spoons is not permitted.
Worm fishing for salmon is prohibited at all times. Ground bait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time.
4 Catch & Release Restrictions:
Migratory Fish Salmon:
All salmon caught must be released and returned with minimum injury and delay.
Migratory Fish Sea trout: All sea trout greater than 60cm (23.62”) must be released with minimum injury and delay. All sea trout caught before May 1st must be released within minimum injury and delay.
NRW Advise on ‘Catch & Release’
Using tackle
Use small, barbless hooks, singles or doubles, they do less damage and unhooking is quicker.
It is illegal to use large hooks – for flies they have to be less than 7mm, for spinners less than 13mm.
Always use as strong a leader or line as possible. This will ensure the fish can be brought to the net quickly and safely.
Spinning
Salmon often take Flying Cs deep and more than 10% die. Fitting a barbless single will help but it’s better to use other lures, with hooks altered, or to fly fish.
Single ‘in-line’ barbless or de-barbed hooks with the barb crushed reduce the chances of damaging fish.
The hooks on lures such as plugs can be effectively changed for ‘in-line’ single hooks reducing the risks associated with treble hooks.
Plan ahead
Before fishing a pool, always identify where a fish can be safely landed without risk of damage on rocks or stones.
If fishing alone, take a net.
Traditional large mesh salmon nets can cause split fins and tails.
Have long-nosed forceps or a similar tool close to hand for prompt hook removal.
If you want a photo of your salmon before release, have your camera ready on a neck lanyard, for example.
Playing fish
Fish should be played quickly and as firmly as possible so that they can be released before becoming too exhausted.
Landing fish
We urge you not to lift the fish out of the water by any means if it is at all possible. At the very least, never lift your salmon from the water by its tail, or gill cover – you will cause internal damage.
Avoid taking them onto the bank or dragging them over stones or gravel.
Knotless mesh is a legal requirement.
Use a soft, knotless net with small mesh size with a shallow, wide bottom to allow the fish to lie flat.
Large mesh can cause split tails:
Unhooking and recovery
Keep the fish in the water at all times.
When the fish is quiet, remove the hook carefully and promptly with forceps.
It should be allowed to recover and returned in steady clean water, but not in a fast flow.
Recovery may take some time.
If the fish is deep-hooked, particularly in the gills, it may not be possible to remove the hook. Snip the line close to the hook. This will cause less harm to the fish than removing it.
As an additional precaution, it is wise not to fish at all during extended periods of hot weather.
Recording your catch
Only lift the fish from the water for the minimum time necessary.
Photography
Keep the fish in or briefly just above the water. Support the fish gently under the belly and loosely hold the wrist of the tail.
Measuring
Measure in the water.
Take a tape measure or mark up your wading staff or the butt section of your rod as an easy indicator.
Weight can be estimated from length.
Fish should be measured from nose to the fork of the tail.
If you have a fish that does not recover, leave it in the river and report it to us as soon as possible on 0300 065 3000.
Length / Weight Chart
Length (ins) 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
Weight (lbs) 5 6 6.5 7.5 8.25 9.25 10.5 12 13 14.25
Length (ins) 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
Weight (lbs) 16 17 19 20.75 22.5 24.75 26.75 29 31