M.A.F.F.A. Rules & Constitution

MOUNTAIN ASH FLY FISHERS ASSOCIATION

CLUB CONSTITUTION

1. THE AIM OF THE ASSOCIATION IS TO PROMOTE THE SPORT OF FLY FISHING BY THE

ACQUISITION AND SUBSEQUENT MANAGEMENT OF SUITABLE WATERS.

2 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE LEFT TO THE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE’S DISCRETION.

3. THE AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE TRANSACTED BY ELECTED

COMMITTEE OF AT LEAST 12 MEMBERS, NOMINATED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OR

MEMBERS CO-OPTED WITH THE COMMITTEES ACCEPTANCE.

4. THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION

SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED BY AN EXECUTIVE BODY AS FOLLOWS:-

HON CHAIRMAN HON MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY HON MINUTES/CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY

HON TREASURER HON COMPETITION SECRETARY

5. THE COMMITTEE SHALL MEET AT LEAST FOUR TIMES A YEAR TO DISCUSS AND

REPORT ON THE AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION MEETINGS BEING MINUTED.

6. THE ASSOCIATION’S A.G.M. SHALL BE HELD IN FEBRUARY OF EACH YEAR, WHERE MATTERS SUCH

AS MEMBERSHIP FEES AND COMMITTEE ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE.

7. NOTIFICATION OF THE DATE OF THE A.G.M. WILL BE BY CABIN NOTICE, E-MAIL, WEBSIT AND /OR

NEWSLETTER.

8. ANY MEMBER WISHING TO PLACE A PARTICULAR MATTER, POINT OF INTEREST OR COMPLAINT ON

THE A.G.M. AGENDA, MUST DO SO IN WRITING AND BE SIGNED BY TWO MEMBERS, AND SENT TO THE

EXECUTIVE NOT LATER THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE A.G.M. MEETING.

9. ALL MEMBERS SHALL BE BOUND BY THE RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION WHICH WILL BE PERIODICALLY

RE-APPRAISED AND KEPT UP TO DATE.

10. ANY MEMBER IN BREACH OF THE ASSOCIATION’S RULES OR UNGENTLE MANLY

CONDUCT WILL BE LIABLE TO EXPULSION FROM THE ASSOCIATION. ANY

MEMBER WHO IS SUBJECT OF SUCH ACTION, HAS THE RIGHT TO APPEAL TO A

SPECIAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

11. ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE ASSOCIATION’S EXPENDITURE

SHALL BE SIGNED BY TWO AUTHORISED SIGNATORIES BEING EITHER OF THE

FOLLOWING:-

HON TREASURER HON MINUTES/CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY

HON CHAIRMAN HON MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

12. THE COMMITTEE AND / OR EXECUTIVE BODY SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SPEND UP TO THE

SUM OF £1,000.00 IN ANY ONE SINGLE TRANSACTION. (SUMS IN EXCESS OF THIS AMOUNT MAY BE

AUTHORISED BY THE EXECUTIVE BODY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE).

13. BADGES FOR ALL NEW INTERNATIONALS SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE CLUB.

14. FREE TICKETS ARE PROVIDED TO THE EXECUTIVE BODY, AND APPOINTED BAILIFFS AND LIFE

MEMBERS.

15. DURING THE COURSE OF THE SEASON, MEMBERS WISHING TO BRING TO THE

COMMITTEE’S ATTENTION ANY MATTERS, COMPLAINTS ETC. MUST DO SO IN

WRITING TO THE EXECUTIVE BODY, WITH COMPLETE DETAILS OF THE

COMPLAINT, AND SIGNED BY WITNESSES WHERE APPLICABLE.

16. AN EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING MAY BE CALLED BY THE COMMITTEE OR UPON A WRITTEN

REQUEST, CONTAINING THE SIGNATURES OF ONE THIRD OF THE MEMBERSHIP BY FOR THE SAID

MEETING TO TAKE PLACE IT WOULD BE EXPECTED THAT ALL THE SIGNATORIES WOULD ATTEND.

DISSOLUTION.

A) IF THE CLUB COMMITTEE DETERMINES THAT IT IS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE THAT THE

ASSOCIATION BE DISSOLVED, IT SHALL CONVENE A MEETING OF THE MEMBERS; NOT LESS

THAN 21 (TWENTY ONE) DAYS NOTICE OF THE MEETING (STATING THE TERMS OF THE

PROPOSED RESOLUTION), SHALL BE GIVEN.

B) IF A PROPOSAL BY THE COMMITTEE TO DISSOLVE THE ASSOCIATION IS CONFIRMED BY A

TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY OF THOSE PRESENT AT THE GENERAL MEETING CONVENED UNDER

CLAUSE (A) ABOVE, THE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DISPOSE OF ANY ASSETS HELD

BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION - AND ANY ASSETS REMAINING AFTER THE

SATISFACTION OF THE DEPTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE TRANSFERRED AS

DETERMINE BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AT, OR PRIOR TO, THE TIME OF

DISSOLUTION.

C) TO AVOID UNCERTAINTY, NO PART OF THE INCOME OR PROPERTY OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL

(OTHER THAN IN PURSUANCE OF THE ASSOCIATIONS OBJECTS) BE PAID OR TRANSFERRED

(DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY) TO THE MEMBERS, EITHER IN THE COURSE OF THE ASSOCIATION'S

EXISTENCE OR ON DISSOLUTION.

ALTERATIONS.

ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION MAY BE MADE BY A RESOLUTION PASSED BY

NOT LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THOSE PRESENT AND VOTING AT A GENERAL MEETING,

PROVIDING DUE NOTICE OF THE MEETING, AND OF THE RESOLUTION, IS GIVEN AS

MENTIONED IN CLAUSE 8.

N.B NO AMMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION MAY BE MADE IF THE EFFECT

WOULD BE THAT THE ASSOCIATION WOULD CEASE TO FULFIL ITS

OBLIGATIONS AND ORIGINAL INTENTION TO PROMOTE THE SPORT OF FLY FISHING.

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MOUNTAIN ASH FLY FISHERS ASSOCIATION

CLUB RULES

Revised by A.G.M. on Thursday 4th. Feb. 2016

1, No angler may commence fishing without having first obtained the necessary members permit

or day ticket from M.A.F.F.A. and paid the correct fee. (Anglers must also possess a current

‘Environment Agency Wales` rod licence).

2. Fishing on both reservoirs shall be with fly rod and reel and artificial fly. No other form of fishing is permitted.

3. a) No more than a total of six fish per week (from Sunday to the following Saturday inclusive).

may be taken by each member. When your six fish have been taken, you will not be allow to fish again until the start of the next/following week.

b) Anglers must take no more than TWO fish from Penderyn Reservoir on one day. Fishing must stop when the second fish is despatched. Fish may be caught and released until this second fish is taken.

c) Members will be informed if the number of fish to be taken from Penderyn and may be increased. This will only be at the discretion of the Committee, (possibly for competitions and near the end of the season). NB. This does not apply to Ystradfellte Reservoir.

4. When requested by our bailiffs (or any other club member), anglers must produce their membership card, so this needs to be carried at all times. They must also be prepared to show their catch and fishing cast for

inspection.

5. ALL trout under ten inches must be returned carefully to the water. Care must be taken on both reservoirs

when returning any fish.

6. All juveniles must be accompanied by an adult who holds a fishing or non-fishing members’ ticket themselves.

7. Fishing or non-fishing members whilst on the reservoirs do so at their own risk and shall have no claim against the Association or its officers for any injury, damages or losses however occurring.

8. No members shall in any way interfere with the machinery, drains or any arrangement of undertaking for, or in connection with the water supply, nor in any way pollute or throw any substance in to the waters of the

reservoirs or streams nor leave any rubbish or litter in any form on the land adjoining.

9. No angler may carry a gun or take a dog onto the reservoirs and portable radio sets may not be carried/used.

10. Under no circumstances is wading permitted off the sloping (solid) stone banks of the reservoirs.

11. The Association through its officers shall be empowered to cancel a permit or to refuse the issue of a

permit/membership to any person, i.e. any member convicted of an offence against these rules will have their card cancelled from the time of the Committee’s decision.

12. In the event of any matter arising which is not covered by these rules, a decision will be made by the Executive (senior officers) whose decision is final.

13. All members must ‘Sign in` personally in the appointed place, before commencing fishing and report their

catch, even nil return, before leaving. N.B all anglers must sign themselves out personally.

14. No fish caught on club waters can be sold. Any member guilty of this will have their membership revoked.

15. When boat fishing anglers must observe Club rules i.e. :-

A lifejacket or equivalent must be worn at all times;

No continuous standing is allowed;

There must be no trolling of flies behind the boat, and boats must keep a respectful distance from bank

anglers.

16. Because the club supports catch and release, anglers must when booby fishing, retrieve line continuously.

When using one booby, a minimum six foot (183centimetre) leader must be employed. If using a team of flies

which includes one or more boobies this distance may bereduced. (When booby-style fishing, this minimum

length of six feet to the nearest fly must be retained).

17. A rod must be held at all times, and under no circumstances should a fishing rod in use be left unattended.

18. There is no limit on the size of flies used, but anglers must adhere to Club rules which limit the number of flies

used on a cast to four hook points, i.e. Four single-point flies, or…. Two singles and one double, or….two

doubles.

19. Any deeply hooked or badly injured fish should be humanely despatched/killed. For this reason there must be

no catch and release after killing two fish and why angling must then stop. (Exception…if the limit has been

raised temporarily).

20. Members must not write comments on official club notices/books, if any constructive observation is relevant, it should be brought to the attention of the club Committee through the proper channels.