Staying safe at our sites

• Our fisheries are unsupervised, so you are responsible for your safety.
• All equipment belonging to customers must be maintained in good working order and condition. We recommend that customers using their own equipment obtain appropriate public liability insurance.
• Check the weather before heading out.
• Dress appropriately for the conditions and environment:
• non-slip, sturdy shoes for slippery banks, rocks and boat decks
• layers, including waterproof clothing
• sunscreen (SPF 30+), hat and sunglasses
• a lifejacket, which can be borrowed free of charge from our fishing lodges.
• Make yourself aware of local hazards.
• Fish in pairs wherever possible.
• Let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return.
• Ensure you have a means of asking for assistance, such as a charged mobile phone.
• Make sure you have the lodge's phone number - see these at the top of this page.
• Children must always be under direct supervision by a responsible adult.
• Report any incidents or safety concerns to a ranger as soon as possible.
• Take care when casting and check all around you for other people or hazards, such as power lines.
• The water and surrounding area may contain ticks, Weil's disease, legionella, blue-green algae or similar, so please cover any open wounds and maintain good personal hygiene.

• Consider what you would do if you were to fall into the water.
• Do not enter the water if it is not safe to do so.
• Ensure you set up in a safe place with even ground.
• Know where you are so that help can find you in an emergency.
• Be aware that waders and boots can become heavy when filled with water and can impede your ability to swim or exit the water.
• Only wade to thigh depth, and be aware of other water users and the potential for boat wash to top over your waders.

• Comprehensive guidance on the use of our boats can be found in our leaflet.
• We have operating limits in place to ensure the safety of everyone afloat.
• All boat fishing will cease if:
• average wind speed exceeds or is expected to exceed 21 knots/25mph
• a gust exceeds or is expected to exceed 27 knots/31 mph
• visibility is less than 250m
• there is thunder or lightning.
• Life jackets must be worn at all times when on pontoons or boats - these can be borrowed from our fishing lodges and returned daily.
• The kill cord, where fitted, must be secured around the driver's leg at all times when the engine is running.
• Ensure you have alternative means of propulsion, such as oars or a paddle.
• All boats must be returned to the pontoon before dusk.
• Keep clear of other boat users - propellers are dangerous.
• In the event of someone falling in the water, approach slowly from downwind and turn off the engine before making contact with the person.
• If you fall in the water, return to the lodge as soon as possible to warm up and avoid hypothermia, while also informing a ranger.
• If using your own electric outboard, make sure that it:
• is from a reputable manufacturer and is CE certified
• has not been modified from the manufactured condition
• is used in line with the manufacturer's guidance/manual
• has a kill cord if it is equivalent to 4hp or more
• includes a batter box for any external batteries, which can be secured to the deck using the straps provided
• is available during the boat handover, so that our team can perform a quick visual check prior to use.

Additional steps you could take to stay safe and protect others when fishing include:

• wearing eye protection
• handling hooks and knives carefully
• using a landing net to bring fish in
• wearing cut-proof gloves
• learning how to perform CPR and other basic lifesaving skills
• taking a throw line and learning how to use it.

Find out more about how to stay safe when angling.