Members and Guests Safety Risk Assessment Statement
It is the duty of the Club to familiarise its members, their guests and day ticket anglers with the principles of safety and risk assessment. Members, their guests must be aware of the risks involved in angling. All members, their guests and day ticket anglers should make themselves aware of the risks they face in the surroundings in which they find themselves and carry out their own risk assessment that generally amounts to common sense. They must take appropriate action to ensure their own safety and that of others.
GENERAL AND SPECIFIC RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ANGLING ON THE DERBYSHIRE WYE
Paths – Slips trips and falls can be dangerous so only use obvious paths along the River.
Banks – Beware of undercuts in banks and take particular care when banks are wet and slippery.
Wading – Take care when entering the River and make sure that you enter at a place where it is safe to do so. When wading do not get out of your depth, only wade where it is safe to do so and take particular care in fast water and rocky bottoms. Use a wading staff for stability and to test the depth of your next step. Wear the correct soles for the conditions. If in doubt always wear an automatic lifejacket. Some Beats of the River pose a greater risk of wading than others due to Steep Banks, Deep Pools, Fast Water, and Very Rocky and/or Uneven River Bed.
Water Level – The Club’s waters can be subject to a rapid and significant rise in water level and speed of flow. Members, and their Guests, are advised to check with the EA River levels at Buxton and Ashford before commencing fishing. Links to these sites can be found on the links page of our website. If you observe that the River is rising quickly while you are wading, you should exit the River as soon as possible where it is safe to do so.
Power Lines – Beware of walking or fishing under power lines and remember electricity can arc over considerable distances. You are ideally earthed in water to conduct electricity. Remember that graphite is an excellent conductor of electricity, i.e. carbon fibre rods can be dangerous!
Lightning – You are ideally earthed when in water or damp bank conditions and if using a graphite rod, you have become a good lightning conductor! During a thunderstorm, place your rod flat on the ground or, if feasible, dismantle and put in your vehicle or under cover. Take cover
well away from trees – a car is a good refuge.
Casting – Public footpaths run adjacent to the fishery in several places. Always show consideration to other users of the riverbank by avoiding contacting anyone with your back-cast. Avoid casting in a way that can put you or passers by at risk. A snagged fly can act like a missile coming straight at you if you pull to release it.
PPE – Members and guests are strongly advised to wear eye protection and buoyancy aids when fishing Trees Fishing under trees can be unsafe in windy conditions. Beware of falling branches.
Animals – Note that bulls can be dangerous. Cows can also be dangerous under certain conditions, particularly with calves in the vicinity. Approach with caution or avoid them completely.
Diseases – Weil’s disease is transmitted in rat and cow urine. Never put wet line in your mouth or any other items of tackle that has been in the water and make sure any cuts or scratches are covered by a waterproof plaster. If you experience flu-like symptoms after fishing, seek medical attention and let your doctor know you have been in the river. Deer ticks are also a risk and medical attention should be sought if you discover a tick in your skin and/or a “bull’s eye” type rash, indicating Lyme’s disease. Antiseptic hand gel is available in the fishing huts for members and their guests to use before eating or drinking. E-coli may be present in some animal droppings – take the same precautions. There may also be a risk in some waters from untreated sewage effluent. This is not an exhaustive list of diseases that may be encountered when fishing.
Cressbrook & Litton Flyfishers Club Ltd accepts no responsibility of whatsoever nature arising from death or bodily injury to any person, or loss or damage to property of any kind.