Carmarthen Amateur Angling Association
[Est’d 1894]
Rules of the Association
The Name of the Association:
This game angling club is known as Carmarthen Amateur Angling Association [CAAA] and is affiliated to the
Salmon and Trout Association.
The Aims and Objectives of the Association shall be:
1] To further the fraternal intercourse amongst its members and to promote the art of angling in a sustainable
manner.
2] To promote and encourage conservation and the improvement of the fishery in a sustainable manner;
3] To provide all its services in a manner that is fair to everyone.
4] To ensure a duty of care to all its members; riparian owners; the public; and its visitors.
5] To offer coaching; guiding; open days and competitive opportunities in game angling.
6] To sustain; promote and manage the Association in the name of game angling; locally and nationally.
Membership of the Association:
The Association shall consist of members who have been admitted in accordance with the Rules of the
Association and who undertake to abide by the same rules.
Such Rules allow members fair angling by one rod and one line only.
Any member acting against the principle of the Rules; causing unnecessary aggravation to others or in any way
upsetting the smooth operation of the Rules shall be subject to disciplinary action.
CAAA beats are subject to locally agreed bylaws to protect fish stocks from angling pressure; anglers rights;
riparian owners rights and members are requested to respect such.
Applications for membership shall be in writing on the current Application Form and will require
endorsement by two members of the Association.
All visiting angler’s applications will be authorised by the agreed Distributer of Permits or the Membership
Secretary. The issuing of such will be subject to their agreement /fishing pressure and /or other reason thereof.
All new seasonal membership applications should be forwarded to the Membership Secretary who will
forward such to the Management Committee for their consideration.
The Management Committee will have the power of accepting or refusing applications; without giving reason
thereof.
All members will be subject to the Rules of the Association and when enrolled into the Association will be
deemed to accept these regulations and codes of practice that the club has adopted.
All members and visiting anglers will be required to have read the rules and byelaws and will abide by such;
omissions or failures of such may lead to fines; expulsion; and/or the potential for civil or criminal conviction.
All present and future members will receive fair and equal treatment under the Rules of Association. All
visiting anglers will be subject to the same Rules of the Association.
Members will be enrolled into the following categories:
1] All Waters Member ;
2] Tributaries Augmented Member ;
3] Life Member ;
4] Senior Member ;
5] Junior Member ;
6] Other Members as directed ;
7] Visiting Member.
Membership categories may be developed with the changing needs of the Association through decision of the
Management Committee.
All seasonal members subscriptions must be received by the Membership Secretary by the 21st of February in
each year [non-payment will lead to cessation of membership].
Visiting Member Anglers need to submit fees giving due time for their permission’s consideration.
All anglers fishing CAAA waters must be in possession of an EAW licence. All relevant EAW bye-laws and
club bye-laws will be observed at all times.
Association bailiffs and all other members [on production of their own licence and permit] are authorised to
check the EAW Licence / CAAA permit and proof of identity of any angler fishing on Association waters .
Failure to produce either could lead to expulsion from the Association.
Applications for Sabbatical Leave must be submitted in writing to the Membership Secretary who will grant
such leave to members with ongoing illness or severe health issues ; members who become full time students
studying outside Wales for the duration of their course ; or members in the Armed Services on postings
abroad; or in other extreme mitigating circumstances as agreed by the Management Committee.
Members on such leave will be required to pay 15% of their respective annual subscription by the 21St
February each year to maintain their membership status within the Association.
This will be reviewed annually by the Membership Secretary and reported to the Management Committee.
At the end of the season members are required to submit a current personal, fully completed CAAA. annual
catch return form.
All visiting anglers will be required to submit such for each visitor ticket issued to the Association’s waters.
Upon completion of visit the completed returns form should be submitted to the Membership Secretary
[failure to submit a fish catch return form will lead to termination of future visits or membership].
All such forms should indicate a full return of all Salmon /Sewin/ and other fish species caught indicating beat
where caught ; weight ; method of capture ; whether released, taken and/or donated to hatchery.
Nil returns must be made by members where applicable.
All returns must be signed as an accurate record; fully addressed and dated.
All completed returns forms submitted by seasonal members must be received by the Membership Secretary
by the 31st October each year.
Voided and non returns may lead to a fine of £25; non-payment of such may lead to cancellation of
membership.
Forms for making annual returns will be issued annually to seasonal members and at the time of permit issue
for visiting members; forms are also available from the Membership Secretary and the Association website
http://caa-assoc.co.uk.
Membership Fees:
Membership fees will be set annually following the annual financial review and agreed by the Management
Committee.
All new members to pay the registration fee applicable at the time of joining; except junior members.
Any member reinstated for any reason other than Sabbatical Leave to pay the re-registration fee then in force.
[There are no registration fees to pay when moving to All Waters].
All seasonal subscriptions must be sent to the Membership Secretary by the 21st February each year; any nonpayment will lead to cessation of membership; unless good reason is given in writing and such reason[s] will be
considered by the Management Committee.
Reimbursement of fees will on notification be decided by the Management Committee.
All other subscriptions / services must be taken up through the Membership Secretary or the authorised
Distributor of Permits.
All fees; donations; fines etc will be paid into the Associations accounts by its agents.
Officers of the Association:
All Officers will be elected annually at the AGM. The Officers will consist of:
 Chair
 Vice-Chair
 Auditor
 Secretary/Treasurer
 Membership Secretary
 Social Secretary
All officers will retire each year but will be eligible for re-appointment. Contested elections to be decided by a
show of hands or by ballot as the Chair may decide.
Association Committee:
The Association will be managed through the Management Committee consisting of:
The 6 Officers of the Association and 12 other members [the members to retire after 3 years by rotation, but
shall be eligible for re-election]. Officers and members may not hold office in any other fishing club whilst
holding office in CAAA’s Management Committee. [Members of the Management Committee who are absent
from 2 consecutive meetings; and/or 3 meetings held in the period between each yearly AGM without
satisfactory reasons shall become disqualified from office].
The Management Committee will have the power for co-opting replacement member [s] to the Committee
outside of the AGM due to a member having to retire early or by expulsion ; disqualification or by resignation.
Such an appointment will be ratified at the next AGM.
The Committee shall meet as and when required to deal with the routine matters of the Association and as
notified by the Sec/Treasurer. Meetings will be held no less than 6 times in any year. At such meetings the
quorum required for business to be agreed will be 10; provided that not less than 5 working days notice of
such a meeting has been given.
The Management Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of practice [including byelaws] and rules that affect the organisation of the Association [i.e. its Constitution].
CAAA shall encourage all members to consider best practices in game angling from personal safety , current
research, fishery ecology, angling techniques , etc which will be a feature developed on the website and
through a range of club activities arranged annually for all to become involved in.
In order for the Management Committee to effectively administrate its resources and activities through its
computer data bases it acknowledges current rules on “Freedom of Information”.
The Management Committee will have powers to appoint sub committees as necessary and appoint advisers
to the Management Committee as necessary to fulfil its business.
The Management Committee shall have the power to appoint , retain and discharge advisors, bailiffs,
volunteer work forces and other such agents , including employed solicitors, experts and technical advisors as
may be required and upon such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as it sees fit to meet the objectives of
the Association.
The Management Committee will be responsible for establishing an ongoing development and maintenance
plan to achieve the objectives of the Association. The Association can contract out these activities or provide
them through a member volunteer work force scheme.
Where all such activities are required the Association will undertake a risk assessment according to Health and
Safety Policy and members will require training and protective equipment to meet such.
The Management Committee will ensure that all members are covered by Public Liability Insurance whilst on
its fishery waters.
The Management Committee will endeavour to provide equitable services/facilities for the less able members;
senior members and junior members in line with current Government requirements.
With ongoing social and legislative change; requirements for any amendments or changes to Association Rules
or its Principles of Constitution should be laid before the Management Committee for its consideration. Their
decision will be final.
If any matter should arise not provided for by these rules; the same shall be laid before the Management
Committee for consideration and its decision will be final.
The Secretary shall take the Minutes of all proceedings, which shall be read at each subsequent meeting and
ratified by the Management Committee.
Management of Association Finances:
The Management Committee will establish a yearly strategic financial plan to meet the objectives of the
Association. The Committee shall have the power to raise finances as deemed necessary.
The Treasurer shall be empowered to defray the expenses of the Association and to maintain accounts of such
for yearly Audit.
The Treasurer will when requested by Association Loan Members repay the said loan sum and maintain a
record of such.
All Association monies will be banked in its accounts by its agents or through electronic banking and held in
the name of the Association.
The financial year of the Association will end on the 31st October in each year.
An Audited statement of the accounts will be read at the AGM by the Auditor or Treasurer if the former is “in
abstentia”.
Any cheques drawn against Association funds should hold the primary signature/s held with the Associations
Bank.
The Property of the Association:
All the property of the Association [except cash, which will be under the control of the Hon. Treasurer]
including leases and fishing leases shall be vested in the Trustees to be dealt with by them as the Management
Committee shall from time to time by resolution direct.
The Management Committee through the Association Trustees will have the power to invest in property and
capital assets in order to meet the objectives of the Association.
Such property and assets will be covered by appropriate insurance to protect the Association’s capital, its
members, its Trustees, its riparian owner’s property and the public when applicable.
The Association will develop appropriate leases/licences for its properties/fishing rights/access rights and other
appropriate assets.
Proof of title should be legally established and vested with the Trustees.
The Association’s Trustees, being not less than 3 and not more than 7 in number; will be appointed by the
Management Committee. The Trustees may deal with the Association’s property as directed by the
Management Committee from time to time through resolution [of which an entry in the Association minutes
shall be conclusive evidence].
The Trustees shall be indemnified against any risk and expense incurred by them in pursuance of their office.
The Trustees shall hold Office until death; resignation or until removal from office by the Management
Committee.
Where by reason of such death; resignation or removal from office it is necessary that a new Trustee or
Trustees be appointed the Management Committee shall nominate the person or persons to be appointed as
the new Trustee or Trustees.
Association Annual General Meeting [AGM.]:
The AGM enables the Association to maintain its continuity and to reflect on the achievement of its core
objectives.
The structured AGM Agenda will be forwarded to the membership by the Secretary providing 21days notice..
The AGM will be held on the fourth Friday in January; at 7pm. [unless notified differently] at a venue notified
by the Secretary.
Any “Notice of Motion” must be received by the Secretary by the 1st of November preceding the AGM.
Member nominations for Officers of the Management Committee will be sent to the Secretary not less than 10
working days prior to the AGM.
Nominations from the Committee Officers will be dealt with by ballot or a show of hands at the AGM as
deemed by the Chair.
All members have a right to vote. Tied voting will be decided by the Chairs casting vote.
The AGM will receive a verbal report from the officers of the Management Committee highlighting the
Association’s core activities and a verbal statement of the accounts.
The Management Committee has the right to call an Extraordinary General Meeting [EGM] outside of the
AGM giving 14 days notice of such agenda. Such a meeting will be considered quorate with 50 members. All
members will have a right to vote. Tied voting will be decided by the Chairs casting vote.
A Special General Meeting [SGM] shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a “Requisition Notice”
signed by at least 15% of the membership; specifying the business to be transacted at the meeting.
Such a meeting will be considered quorate with 50 members. Tied voting will be decided by the Chairs casting
vote.
Every member shall receive 14 days notice thereof, together with an agenda for such a meeting.
Bye-laws of the Association:
Association Members through their activities are crucial for the fisheries smooth operation and its hopes of
achieving its key objectives within game angling.
Association members; elected officers and bailiffs share equal responsibility in ensuring the observance of the
bye-laws of the fishery.
The bye-laws are initiated by dialogue to ensure fair and equitable use of services and resources for all.
Other bye-laws are initiated through Local or National Government bodies and/or Fishery Bodies or through
Riparian Owners.
All reports for new ways of operation; incidents/accidents; broken facilities; poor behaviour or other problems
should be reported to the Chair or Secretary in writing or on CAAA’s Risk Assessment sheets.
Such reports will be dealt with through the Management Committee or established sub-committees.
The Management Sub-Committee [Association Use of Beats] will review bye-laws annually and report back to
the Association’s Management Committee.
Any Member found to be contravening the bye-laws or conditions upon which privileges are granted upon
Association Waters may be fined or expelled from the Association.
Members shall observe the bye-laws in Attachment A.
If any matters not covered by these bye-laws are identified, the same shall be laid before the Management
Committee for its consideration.
Association Discipline and Appeals:
The Management Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings and appeals of members who
infringe the rules, regulations, bye laws, or principles of its Constitution.
The Committee will be responsible for taking any disciplinary action; for imposing fines; suspension/expulsion
and/or providing evidence to other Authorities.
All concerns, allegations or reports of poor practice/abuse regarding junior and senior members and those in
the general public will be recorded and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with the law.
The lead contact number for all members in the event of any child or elder protection concerns will be the
Chairman.
All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the
Secretary or Chair. Such complaints will be investigated and considered by the Management Committee.
The Management Committee has the power to establish sub-committees to deal with “Investigation and
Disciplinary Action” and the “Appeals Procedure”.
Final reports from these sub-committees taken to the Management Committee will lead to decisions on taking
appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership and in criminal and civil cases to
provide evidence to the appropriate Authorities.
The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the complainant and the person against
whom the complaint is made within 10 working days.
There will be “Right of Appeal” to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being
announced.
The appeal should be sent to the Secretary within 10 working days of receipt. The appropriate sub-committee
will hear the appeal at its next planned meeting; its decision will be forwarded to the Management Committee
for final decision.
All due prudence of individual and collective Human Rights is ethically paramount.
Dissolution of the Association :
The Association will not be dissolved provided there are sufficient funds and members to sustain it. A
“Resolution” to dissolve the Association can only be passed at an AGM/EGM/SGM through a majority vote of
the membership.
In the event of dissolution; any assets of the Association that remain will become the property of the
Governing Body or another club with similar objectives. The Trustees would execute this through the
Association Solicitors.
Declaration: CAAA hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a guide regulating the actions of its
members [2012].
Signed:
Date:
Attachment A.
Bye Laws of the Carmarthen Amateur Angling Association (CAAA).
All Anglers to behave in a courteous manner in accordance with the
founding principles of the Association to enjoy the art of game angling.
1] Currently the Game Fishing Season starts on the 1st of April and finishes on the 17th October
as per EAW
2] Fishing by one rod and one line. [As per EAW Licence]
3] No Salmon may be kept before 16th June [EAW] and no more than 5 salmon may be killed
by individual members per season [CAAA] .
4] All Sewin over 6lbs in weight/60cms/24ins to be returned and no Sewin should be kept after
31st August [CAAA.]
5] a] That only barbless hooks to be used before the 16th June and that their use is
recommended for all anglers who practice Catch and Release.
5] b] That only barbless and/or circular hooks be used when bait fishing.
6] No member is allowed to fish off the sill of the weir or from a boat.
7] No member is allowed to sell or otherwise trade fish caught. [EAW].
8] No member is to fish non-association waters without the appropriate permission.
9] When more than one member is fishing a particular pool/run on the River Towy, he/she
will move downstream one pace after each cast. No other angler may enter the pool/run in
front of the leading angler.
10] When fishing pools on other waters of the Association a time limit of 30 minutes is
allowed.
11] At Gilberts Pool no more than 3 anglers may fish it at any one time. Each angler must sign,
date and time the register and take a card to the bank. Each angler must spend no more than
40 minutes at each peg and no more than 2 hours overall on the beat, with no return during
that day.
When a member has caught a fish at this beat he/she must vacate the beat.
Anglers can only fish the beat on alternate days under the odds and evens rule. Bait fishing will
give way to fly anglers from the opposite bank.
12] At Cystanog Beat anglers can only fish the beat on alternate days under the odds and evens
rule.
13] All members must comply with CAAA beat access rules. Members must use designated
car parks where appropriate and display club car park stickers in their vehicle. Members must
use designated access paths [gates, styles, bridges, etc] and not deviate across fields of standing
hay, etc.
Members accessing the River Gwili are required to wear a high visibility vest when crossing,
walking or fishing adjacent to the Gwili Railway.
All members must carry their club permit and display their Club ID badge. Club bailiffs,
committee members or members may ask for these as per the rules. Failure to provide such
will lead to the member being asked to leave the beat, and desistance will lead to expulsion
from the Association.
14] All members are required to follow the Countryside Code i.e. leave your footprints only;
no litter, no dogs whilst fishing , no trespassing , no damage or theft , no fires and no naked
lights in angling huts.
15] All members entering CAAA beats in land areas designated SSSI/SAC must not cut trees ,
hedges , banks , remove gravels , or install non-native items until appropriate approval for
consent has been gained by the Committee. Such may cause members to be fined by CCW
+/or EAW. or be sued by our riparian owner for criminal damage. Such behaviour may also
lead to expulsion from the Association. [NB. Cutting of invasive Non – native weeds are not
included, but please report to the committee].
16] Any members found to be acting irresponsibly, damaging or stealing club property,
hogging beats , or abusing other members , or acting against the principles of the Association
will be disciplined/expelled and if merited reported to the police.
17] The above bye laws are for the protection of the fishery and its members, most of whom
are to be commended for their exemplary behaviour. CAAA commends behaviours that
protect and help ensure the future of game angling and our fishery. Members who assist in
this, e.g. practice catch and release, donate to the hatchery undertake habitat work and routine
maintenance will be eligible for merit awards. To aid in the conservation of game angling
members are encouraged to practice catch and release , details of best practice can
be found on the website.
Date Adopted :………………..
Signed :……………………..