Fishery Rules

Fishery rules and etiquette for Wormit Trout Fishery. These rules protect fish welfare, angler safety, water quality and the quiet character of the fishery. All anglers and guests must read and follow them before fishing.

Fishery Rules & Etiquette

These rules protect fish welfare, angler safety, water quality and the quality of sport at Wormit Trout Fishery. By booking or fishing at Wormit, you agree to follow them.

Breaches of fish care, peg rotation, booking conditions, litter rules or site conduct may result in removal from the fishery without refund and future bookings being refused.

Booking & Access

Advance online booking only. No walk-ins.
Day rods: For experienced fly anglers with their own tackle who can fish independently.
Hosted experiences: Beginners, visitors and those needing tuition should book a hosted fly fishing experience.
Fishing times: Full-day rods run from dawn to dusk unless otherwise stated.
Evening rods: Seasonal evening rods are released online at 2pm on the day of fishing only, when suitable day rod availability remains.
No phone reservations for day or evening rods. If availability is not showing online, the rod is not available.
Check-in: Please have your booking confirmation or QR code available if requested.
Parking: Use the anglers’ car park on the left as you enter, unless otherwise instructed.

Rod Numbers & Water Etiquette

Rod numbers are strictly controlled to protect space, fish welfare and the calm character of the water.
No rod sharing. Each angler must have their own valid booking or permit.
Respect casting distance and give other anglers room to fish properly.
No side-by-side fishing on a peg unless specifically agreed as part of a hosted session.
Exclusive-use and club groups may manage internal rotation by agreement, but fish care and site rules still apply.

Mandatory Peg Rotation

Peg rotation is mandatory on mixed rod days.
Move after 6 fish or 90 minutes per peg, whichever comes first.
When moving, miss the next peg so water is shared fairly.
Do not hold productive pegs all day. Wormit is shared water, not a land grab with a fly rod.

Methods & Tackle

Fly fishing only. No bait fishing, spinning, treble hooks or lures outside normal fly-fishing tackle.
Hooks: Barbless or properly de-barbed hooks only.
Nets: Knotless or rubber-mesh landing nets only.
Tippet: Use sensible breaking strain so fish can be landed quickly and released in good condition.
Eye protection is strongly recommended.

Fish Care & Catch-and-Release

Fish care comes first. Keep fish in the water wherever possible.
Wet hands only if handling a fish is unavoidable.
Unhook fish quickly, ideally in the net and in the water.
Photographs: Keep any photographs quick, low and over the net. No standing trophy shots with fish out of water.
Recovery: Fish must be fully supported until strong and able to swim away.
Mandatory release: Brown trout must be released carefully.
Large trout: Any trout over 5lb must be returned unless agreed otherwise by the fishery.

Fish Option Tickets & Retained Fish

Catch-and-release is the standard ticket.
Retained fish must be selected and paid for when booking using the appropriate fish option ticket.
Only rainbow trout under 5lb may be retained unless otherwise agreed by the fishery.
Once your retained fish limit is reached, no further fish may be killed.
Humane dispatch is required. Retained fish should be stored discreetly and removed from site when you leave.

Behaviour & Site Conduct

Respect other anglers, staff, farm traffic, neighbouring land and wildlife.
All litter must be taken home. This includes nylon, leader material, cigarette ends, tins, bottles and food packaging.
No alcohol or drugs while fishing or on the fishery grounds.
Under-16s must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
Dogs are by prior agreement only, must be on a lead and under control at all times.
Do not enter closed pegs, fenced areas, bridges, causeways, working areas or restricted ground.

Hut & Facilities

The hut is for shelter, seating and refreshments only.
Leave the hut clean and exactly as found.
No unauthorised use or removal of flies, tackle, equipment, supplies or fishery property.
Access codes are issued on trust and may be withdrawn at any time.

Safety

Anglers and guests enter and fish at their own risk.
Take care on banks, platforms, paths and wet surfaces.
No unsafe wading.
Follow all signage and any instructions from fishery staff or hosts.
Respect restrictions on bridges, causeways, fenced areas and maintenance zones.

Biosecurity

Clean, Check, Dry all nets, waders, boots and tackle before arrival.
No outside fish, bait, weed or aquatic material may be brought onto site.
No weed cutting, raking, vegetation removal or unauthorised water management.

Water, Weed & Fish Welfare Closures

Water and weed management is carried out by the fishery only.
Natural weed growth may be present at certain times of year and is part of stillwater management.
Fish welfare closures may occur during adverse conditions, high water temperatures, safety issues or essential maintenance.
Where appropriate, affected bookings will be transferred or handled in line with the relevant booking terms.

Day Rods – Summary

For: Experienced fly anglers with their own tackle.
Not suitable for beginners: Please book a hosted fly fishing experience instead.
Booking: Online only. Bring your confirmation.
Fishing: Full-day rods run dawn to dusk unless otherwise stated.
Evening rods: Released online at 2pm on the day of fishing only, when suitable availability remains.
Catch return: Please complete any required catch return honestly before leaving.

Management Rights & Legal

Permits, bookings, tackle, fish bags and retained fish may be inspected.
Permission to fish may be refused, withdrawn or revoked for breaches of these rules.
The fishery reserves the right to refuse future bookings where rules, conduct or fish welfare standards are not respected.
Scotland: No rod licence is required for fly fishing at this fishery.