Rules

Right, our rules fall into three categories, those that relate to the fish, those that relate to you the angler, and those that apply to the property.

The Fish.

Firstly to fish at Frant you have to be over 18 or have someone over 18 with you at all times and have with you the following basic equipment other than obviously your rod.

A landing net, depending on whether you are fishing the main lakes or the specimen lakes you will need either a 24” or a 36” landing net.

A landing mat, to protect the scales of the fish when unhooking them on the bank, not sharing one with your mate, one of your own.

Barbless hooks. If you get snagged up, the fish cannot shake off the hook and will die, therefore if we find you using barbed hooks, even microbarbs, you will be asked to leave the lakes.

Braid, same as barbed hooks. You don’t need it, we won’t tolerate it. If you feel you need more strength than normal fishing line, we have a vehicle tow-rope in the office - but it doesn't spool too well on the reel.

When handling fish, we expect nothing less than considerate landing and handling. On the bank we want them speedily unhooked, if you want a photo, hold the fish below your knees so that when you drop them, (it's easy to do even if you feel you have a good hold on the fish - they're slippery...) they stand a chance of surviving the fall.

The Angler.

We want you to enjoy your fishing at Frant, we also want those fishing near you to enjoy themselves too.

We ask that the lakes are as quiet as possible at all times, but particularly so at night. When setting up we realise that bivvie pegs have to be hammered in, and we also know you want to exchange bit of banter with those fishing with you, but spare a thought for those who arrived before you and have been coaxing the fish to their swim only to have someone turn up, make a racket and then want peace and quiet for their own fishing.

We operate a secure site here at Frant. Outside opening hours the gates are locked and entry and exit are forbidden. Perimeter alarms trigger if you try to climb over the gates, friends who want to visit you at night whilst the site is closed should be informed that they will be asked to leave, as will you.

We don’t mind you bringing a can or two of beer to enjoy by the lakes on a nice hot summer’s day. What we won’t have is a group of lads downing a case full of extra strength lager. If you want to get drunk, go to the pub. Although, if you planned to drink extra strength lager, just hit your head repeatedly against the wall for five minutes and save £3.00 a pint!

Dogs. We don’t allow them here under any circumstances.

Children. Generally better behaved than dogs, but still as keen to injure themselves! We allow you to bring youngsters on to the site on the strict understanding that they are supervised at all times. Fishing lakes are not playgrounds, if we see children running around or misbehaving, we will ask you to take them home.

Bait boats. Best to assume we don’t allow them. We have no objection to them in principle but our customers don’t like them and to be fair you don’t need one at Frant.

Spectators: We allow one spectator per angler during the day. At night our insurance company will not accept that there is a reason to watch someone fish in the dark, so we don’t allow it. We may, at our discretion, allow partners and family members to stay with you subject to a £5.00 charge. Please check with the office before arrival.

The Property.

Rubbish. The bane of our lives, if we see you putting rubbish anywhere but in the bins you will be asked to leave, banned from ever coming back, and we’ll circulate your registration number to all the other day ticket waters in the area who may also decline your business. We also reserve the right to come round your house and throw rubbish through your window - that wouldn't be acceptable and nor is it at Frant.

Barbeques. We allow them, please be careful. The fire risk is acute during the summer months, we prefer the disposable type which we ask you to douse with water after use.

Fires. These are strictly forbidden. Anyone lighting a fire on the site will be asked to leave. Also, if we see smoke, we will assume it is you that's on fire and subsequently attempt to put you out with large quantities of lake water!

Access. In the summer the lakes are open from 7am to 7pm daily, and in the winter from 7am to 5pm We like you to be off the water by 7pm and off the site by 7.15pm in the summer and off the water at 5pm and off site by 5.15 pm in the winter.

Etiquette

We have listed below how we would like you to conduct yourself on a visit to Frant.

Over the years we have noticed that people’s behaviour has got steadily worse and consideration for others has become the exception rather than the rule.

Whilst we cannot do anything about the country in general, we can do something about how people behave at Frant, and we do. Anyone who behaves in a way that affects the enjoyment of others will be asked to leave, no second chances, no arguments, just leave.

When you first arrive at Frant, we have along downhill approach road to the security office, please approach this barrier slowly, we have a 10mph speed limit for a reason. If we wanted you to drive up to it at 50mph and slam the brakes on at the last second, we would have written it on the sign.

At the barrier all those in the vehicle need to get out and report to the office, this is the point at which the duty bailiff is making the decision as whether or not to admit you, if there are several of you turning up the worse for drink and shouting at each other, this will result in you being turned away.

The Bailiff will never leave the office for security reasons, and we have three shift changes during the working day .
Even if you have just popped out for some ciggies the Bailiff needs to know who you are when you return, and he can sit in the office longer than you can sit in your car!

It helps our bailiffs if you know what you want, obviously we are pleased to give advice but on a busy weekend, a phone call beforehand will mean less waiting time for you and those waiting behind you.

When you are issued your ticket it will be stapled to a green information card , this has a map of the site, the location of the lifebelts, toilets and car parks. For those of you staying overnight it also has important information regarding our security company, and what to do and who to call in an emergency.

When you have passed though the security barrier you should then drive to one of the two car parks, stopping by the lakes is not permitted. Cars and people don’t mix and we want you to be safe.

If you have a ticket for the main lakes you may fish on any swim on lakes 1 to 6 subject to match bookings on the day.

If you have a specimen lake ticket, please park in the main car park. The van and trailer service operates for the last two hours every day, and from midday onwards on Sunday. At all other times you will need to make your own way to the lakes, vehicles are not allowed to use the access roads. If you want to be picked up from lakes 7 and 8, the operating times are as above and you will find the office phone number on you green information card.

Finally, we can only put fish in the lakes we can’t make them jump on your hook!