Membership - Information

Personal Safety

When fishing either alone or with friends please remember these important safety tips.

Water can be dangerous. Learn to swim, do not take any risks when wading, be aware on uneven banks and rising water levels on flood rivers or tidal areas. Never walk on frozen ice.
Juniors. Whenever possible go fishing with friends or family. Always let your parents know where you are going fishing and when you are planning to be back.
Wear warm, weatherproof clothing in winter, and take a flask containing a hot drink.
In summer, wherever possible, keep out of direct sunlight. Wear a hat and cool clothing and always carry a cold drink to avoid dehydration.
Be aware of non-anglers in public places, for example park lakes, footpaths alongside rivers, etc. Do not spread your tackle out so that it blocks their access.
Show consideration to other footpath users and look behind before casting.
Beware of birds swimming into your line - avoid areas where people feed birds.
Never leave your fishing tackle unattended, a lot get stolen every year.
Whenever possible, insure your fishing tackle. Don't leave it in sheds or out-houses or on display in a car.

Always carry with you a knotless landing net big enough for the fish that you are after. A disgorger and forceps are essential.
Wet your hands before handling a fish and keep the time it is out of the water to a minimum. Never throw or drop a fish back into the water.
Never drop litter or discard tackle - always take it home.

Do not fish within 30 metres of overhead electric power cables
Do not allow you fishing rod, pole or line to approach or touch overhead power cables.
Rods and poles containing carbon fibre conduct electricity. They are particularly dangerous when used near overhead electric power lines. ELECTRICITY CAN AND WILL JUMP GAPS. A rod / pole does not have to touch power cables to cause ELECTROCUTION AND DEATH.
Many overhead electric power cables are supported by wooden poles, which could be mistaken for telegraph poles. Overhead cables carry up to 132,000 VOLTS.
The height of these high voltage power cables can be as low as 17ft. Therefore well within reach of a rod or pole. Overhead power cables may not be readily visible from the ground. They may be concealed by hedges or by a dark background.
BEFORE FISHING ALWAYS LOOK OUT, LOOK UP FOR OVERHEAD POWER CABLES.
An adult should accompany all anglers under 16 years old on waters where overhead power cables are evident. These waters should be treated with care:-
The River Cam
Burwell and Reach Lodes
The River Great Ouse - St. Neots
The River Great Ouse - Barway
The River Great Ouse - Ten Mile Bank
The Borrow Pit - Sutton Gault
The One Hundred Foot - Earith to Oxlode
The Old West - Earith
The River Lark - Prickwillow

We would like to bring to the attention of all our members the dangers of water-borne diseases particularly Weil's disease.

What is Weils disease?: Weils disease is caused by a parasite from rats (Leptospira Icterohaemoohagiae) and is a notifiable disease reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.
How do you catch it?: Unlike tap water, the water in canals, rivers and reservoirs is untreated and micro-organisms are naturally present.; The parasite may enter the human body through the skin, mucous membranes or skin abrasions, following contact with water contaminated by the urine of infected rodents.; Although the risk of contracting illness is extremely small, sensible precautions should be taken as follows:; Avoid full immersion in untreated water.; Cover all cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings before contact with untreated water.; Wash all exposed skin after contact with untreated water and before eating.; Do not put wet ropes, fishing lines or other objects in your mouth.; Should any illness occur within two weeks of contact with untreated water, you should seek medical advice and inform your doctor you have been in contact with untreated water.