Fishing Rules

Parking & Access

  1. Please park sensibly and do not block access routes. The gate must be kept locked at all times.

  2. The car park nearest to the Lodges has one parking space per lodge. All other vehicles must use the overflow car park nearer to the road.

Conduct & Behaviour

  1. Music and loud conversation must be kept to a considerate level at all times. After 10pm, both must be kept to a minimum out of respect for other guests.

  2. Loud music, swearing and abusive behaviour are strictly forbidden. Guests must treat other anglers, guests and farm staff with respect at all times. Staff have the right to intervene if rules are being broken and must not be obstructed or spoken to rudely when doing so.

  3. The use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited anywhere on the Ashby Farms property. Any guest found using illegal substances will be asked to leave immediately and banned from further use of the facilities.

  4. Alcohol may be consumed responsibly. Guests who are visibly intoxicated and causing a nuisance will be asked to leave.

Permits & Licences

  1. You must hold a valid Environment Agency (EA) Rod Licence before fishing.

  2. A daily fishing permit entitles the permit holder to fish for one day with up to two rods.

  3. A family fishing permit entitles up to four members of your party to fish with up to two rods each, for the duration of your booking, up to one week.

  4. Visiting friends who are not staying with Ashby Farms may only fish with prior written permission from Ashby Farms Ltd.

Tackle & Equipment

  1. No braid main lines, lead core or fixed leads are permitted. Running rigs, lead clips and inline leads (free running only) are allowed. Bolt rigs are not permitted.

  2. Barbless or microbarb hooks only.

  3. No keep nets, sacks or bait boats are permitted at any time.

  4. Ground bait is not permitted between June and September inclusive.

  5. All nets, weigh slings and unhooking mats must be disinfected and dry before use. A minimum 42" landing net is required when carp fishing. Unhooking mats must be used at all times — they are essential for protecting fish from injury on sticks, stones and hard ground.

  6. Rods and lines with baited hooks must not be left unattended at any time.

Fish Care & Conservation

  1. All fish must be returned alive and unharmed to the lake from which they were caught, immediately after capture.

  2. Do not cut or damage bankside vegetation or trees. If vegetation is obstructing your fishing, please contact the Farm Office.

  3. No wading, swimming or boats are permitted on the lakes.

Snagged Lines & Litter

  1. If you snag a line in bankside vegetation or trees, make every reasonable effort to retrieve it safely. Monofilament line left in trees or on the bank is lethal to wildlife and must not be abandoned. If you cannot safely remove a snag, please report it to the Farm Office.

  2. Do not throw into the water or leave on the ground any litter, including tins, bottles or any other waste. Litter causes serious harm to wildlife. You will be held responsible for any litter found in the area where you were fishing.

Night Fishing & Bivvies

  1. Night fishing is permitted, provided noise rules (Rule 3) are observed.

  2. Bivvies are permitted but must not obstruct any path or access route at any time. If your bivvy is found to be blocking a path, you will be asked to reposition or remove it immediately. Repeated obstruction may result in you being asked to leave.

Children & Dogs

  1. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times when near the water. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring children do not disturb other anglers or cause damage to the bankside. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times when outside.

Swim Allocation

  1. Swims cannot be reserved. Exception: guests with a disability may request that we reserve the swim nearest to their lodge — please contact the Farm Office in advance. There is one swim with priority access for disabled anglers. Please do not obstruct it at any time.

Firearms

  1. Firearms and airguns may only be used with prior permission from Ashby Farms Ltd. Please refer to our separate Shooting Rules. Permission will not be given to shoot in the woods around Fisherman's Lodge.

Important Notice

Failure to observe these rules, or behaving in any way that interferes with the enjoyment of others, will result in the offender being asked to leave and banned from further use of the facilities. No refunds will be given in these circumstances.

Ashby Farms Ltd accepts no responsibility for any accidents or damage to persons or property, however caused. Fishing is undertaken entirely at your own risk.

Shooting Rules

  1. We do not provide or offer hire of any firearms or equipment.

  2. You must provide us with a copy of your valid firearms certificate or shotgun certificate before your visit. We reserve the right to refuse access if valid documentation is not received in advance.

  3. We will send you a map showing the designated shooting area before your visit. You must not shoot outside of the marked area under any circumstances.

  4. Firearms must be kept unloaded and in a suitable slip or case when not in active use.

  5. Any incident, accident or near-miss must be reported to the Farm immediately.

  6. Failure to observe these rules or behaving in any way that interferes with the enjoyment of other guests will result in the offender being asked to leave and banned from further use of the facilities.

Ashby Farms Ltd accepts no responsibility for any accidents or damage to persons or property, however caused. Shooting is undertaken entirely at your own risk.