Fishery Byelaws for the Rivers Loughor and Amman
The NRW byelaws are summarised as follows:
Salmon
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All salmon must be released with minimum injury and delay
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No worm fishing for salmon
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Fly and spin only
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NRW state that Shrimp and prawn fishing allowed from 1st September to the end of permitted baits period, However please note - that the use of shrimp and prawn as bait has not been allowed on our waters for many years, so the committee have decided to keep in place the ban on this method.
Sea trout
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All sea trout must be released with minimum injury and delay before 1st May
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No bait fishing for sea trout during this period
(Please note, that to add to this, the committee have decided to keep the existing association rule that all Sewin must be released after 31st August)
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All sea trout greater than 60cm (approx. 5lb12oz) must be released with minimum injury and delay on all catchments all year.
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Bait fishing for sea trout allowed only outside catch and release period, with small hook gape size 8mm (approximately size 8) and a single worm
Hooks
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All hooks for salmon and sea trout must be barbless or debarbed
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No trebles on spinners. spoons or plugs (singles only with a maximum 13mm gape)
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Up to 3 barbless singles may be used on a plug
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Flies - small trebles allowed up to 7mm gape (approximately size 8)
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If larger singles or doubles must be debarbed/barbless
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Tandem and ‘secret’ weapon flies are allowed – up to 4 points (one treble and one single), trebles must be less than 7mm, all hooks must be barbless
The NRW bylaw in relation to using lures / spinners for non migratory trout is as follows:
Only one hook (single, double or treble) is allowed with lures and bait unless the gape of the hook (measured from the shank to the point) does not exceed 10mm (0.375 inch) with the exception that the gape of hooks attached to a plug bait may be up to 13mm (0.5 inch) and the plug is used without any weight.
Please note – The committee have decided to introduce a rule that members targeting brown trout must also use barbless or de-barbed hooks.
Therefore no member must use a barbed hook whilst fishing our waters
More detail can be found on the following link:
In addition to the above NRW bylaws, members of Ammanford and District Angling Association will also abide the following rules and bylaws whilst fishing our waters
There is information on opening dates for Salmon, Sewin and non migratory Trout, what baits can be used on the dates shown and the catch and release rule.
Rules & Bylaws of Ammanford and District Angling Assocation
River Loughor statutory open fishing season
Salmon
Opens 20th March - Closes 17th October
Fly and Spin only -
Catch & Release throughout the season
Sewin
Opens 20th March - Closes 17th October
Fly & Spin only - 20th Mar - 1st May
Fly, Spin & worm - 1st May - 7th Oct
Fly & Spin only - 8th October - 17th Oct
All sewin to be returned before 1st May and after 31st August
Brown Trout & Eels Opens 3rd March - Closes 30th September
Fly, Spin & Worm 3rd March - 30th Sept
Compulsory Catch and Release Restriction - Any salmon caught throughout the season must be returned with minimum injury and with minimum delay. All Sea Trout caught prior to 1st May and after 31st August must be returned to the river (The date of C&R of sewin after 31st August is an association rule passed at the AGM 2011. Anyone caught with a Sea Trout in their bag outside these dates will be banned from the association.
Members of Ammanford & District Angling Association will adhere to the new bylaws implemented by Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
In addition to the above bylaws the following rules will remain for members of Ammanford & District Anglin Association
Use of Lures & Baits (all hooks must be barbless or de-barbed)
Worms, Fly, Spinner - Only natural earth worm or artificial fly or spinner may be used (all hooks must be barbless or de-barbed)
Livebaits- Livebait is not allowed
The use of shrimp or prawns is prohibited
Floats - the use of a float in conjunction with any lure or bait to take salmon or sea trout is not allowed
Ground Bait - ground bait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time
Maggots & Pupae - maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are not allowed
On the river Loughor & Amman, no more than one rod and line may be used at the same time. A rod must not be left unattended with its bait or hook in the water. It must be possible to exercise immediate physical control over any rod and line left with its bait or hook in the water
In accordance with the NRW bylaws, all Salmon to be released throughout the fishing season
Association bag limit for sea trout - A daily bag limit of two sewin a 24 hour period. Once you kill and keep your second fish, you must finish fishing. If you kill one fish, you can continue fishing on a catch and release basis, until you decide to kill your second fish, at which point you must stop fishing. Anyone caught taking more than their limit of fish in anyone outing will be debarred from the Association.
Use of a gaff or tailer
The use of a gaff or a tailer is prohibited at all times when fishing on our waters. Please use only a landing net which incorporates knotless mesh.
Removal of fish
No live or dead fish may be removed from any waters within the Agency’s area except legally by rod & line, other than with special written permission obtained in advance from the Agency. Any salmon or trout hooked other than in the mouth or throat (foul hooked) shall be returned to the water immediately.
SAFETY - don’t cast your life away
Fishing near overhead power lines can be extremely dangerous and has resulted in serious injury or death to anglers. Even if your rod does not come into contact with a power line, electricity can arc across and deliver a potentially lethal charge to the angler. Look up before you tackle up.
You need a valid rod licence if you are aged 13 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in Wales, Junior licences (age 13-16) are now FREE but you must register
Anyone that is prosecuted by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and is reported to this association as having been prosecuted by the NRW whilst holding a current association permit will be barred from the association for poaching our water.