ABERYSTWYTH ANGLING ASSOCIATION LTD
RULES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIONS FOR 2026
ANGLING PERMIT HOLDERS EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS TO FISH ASSOCIATION WATERS STRICTLY AT THEIR OWN RISK
WATERS - The Association’s fishery consists of the following waters:
Rivers:
(1) The River Rheidol from source to mouth except between Gyfarllwyd Falls and Dinas Dam, and such other parts as are indicated to be private waters. Cwm Rheidol Reservoir is classified as stillwater and not as part of the river except for Regulation 10.
Fishing in the River Rheidol is prohibited (a) between Rheidol Falls footbridge and the Weir situated 30 yards above the Falls, (b) between Aberffrwd Road Bridge and Cwm Rheidol Reservoir Dam, and (c) in the Nature Reserve waters between the Gyfarllwyd Falls and Parson’s Bridge. These waters are Fish Sanctuaries. d) North bank at Glanrhyd Ty Noeth is private fishing
WARNING: THE RIVER RHEIDOL IS SUBJECT TO RAPID FLUCTUATIONS IN LEVEL
WADING IN THE RIVER RHEIDOL IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS
(2) The River Ystwyth on the south bank from Gosen Bridge to the sea (Harbour Bridge).
Lakes:
Cwm Rheidol Reservoir (outfit.plastic.cherubs), Llygad Rheidol (screamed.quickly.absent), Oerfa (affirming.stopwatch.caravan)
Craigypistyll (drifts.jots.caravans), Blaenmelindwr (visits.trinkets.rocker), Rhosgoch (froze.sprinter.perfected), Syfydrin (park.quilt.path)
Rhosrhydd (tries.crumple.quoted), Frongoch (originals.enhancement.front), and main portion of Glandwgan (timeless.mailings.ship).
Map references are: what3words
RULES
1. Compliance with Fishery Law & Association Rules
By purchasing a permit, the holder agrees to comply with all fishery laws and byelaws of Natural Resources Wales, and Association Rules concerning the duration of the fishing season, permitted fishing methods or any other matter provided for under fishery law or byelaw & Association Rules.
2. Permit Terms of Issue
(a) An AAA fishing permit must be obtained before any person commences to fish.
(b) Rod licences must be produced when buying permits.
(c) Association permits are not transferable.
(f) Possession of an Angling permit only provides the right to fish in accordance with the rules and gaining access for fishing where a right of access exists.
(g) All permit holders may vote at the Annual Meeting of Permit Holders – usually in January.
3. Production of Permit on Request
An AAA permit must be carried whilst fishing. A permit holder must produce their permit for inspection if requested by a Keeper, Bailiff, Association Warrant Holder, or any other AAA Permit Holder.
4. Permitted Methods – Rivers
Rheidol – fly, spin, shrimp/prawn and worm – see restrictions below:
(ii) Shrimp and prawn fishing is allowed from the 1st September until 7th October with the use of a single treble hook, with a gape of less than 7mm.
(ii) Worm fishing allowed between 1st April and 7th October using only single worm and single barbless hook with a gape of less than 8mm.
Ystwyth – As Rheidol above. C&R only after 31 July.
Stillwaters – barbless or de-barbed hooks only
Frongoch – fly only. Permit holders can only fish Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Rhosrhydd – fly only.
Glandwgan – fly, spin and worm.
Oerfa - fly, spin, and worm.
Llygad Rheidol – fly and spin.
Rhosgoch – fly only.
Blaenmelindwr - fly, spin, and worm.
Syfydrin - fly, spin, and worm.
Craigypistyll - fly, spin, and worm.
Cwm Rheidol reservoir - fly, spin, and worm. Restrictions as above for river Rheidol
5. Banned methods / restrictions
(a) all forms of ground baiting.
(b) the use of more than one rod, or the use of a rod which is not under the direct control of the permit holder.
(d) the use of boats other than those provided by the Association.
(e) bathing, swimming or the use of float tubes.
(f) the use of fish-attracting chemicals or artificial bait enhancers.
(g) fishing of river backwaters is strictly prohibited.
6. Bag limits and hooks
AAA encourages the practice of catch and release and good fish handling - where practical, unhook fish in the water.
It is now mandatory to use barbless / de-barbed hooks on all AAA waters
All salmon, stillwater brown, and blue trout - catch and release only
At Llyn Frongoch, 2 rainbow trout may be taken per day.
On rivers 2 sea trout may be taken per day – see restrictions below.
(a) Trout size limit - 25.5 centimetres (10 inches) as measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail.
(b) Sea trout size limit min - 32.5 cm (13 inches), max - 60cm (23.6 inches) from either the Rheidol the Ystwyth or Cwm Rheidol dam. Catch & Release on the river Ystwyth after 31st July.
(c) All undersized fish caught by anglers must be returned at once to the water with as little injury as possible.
(d) All salmon, salmon and sea trout parr, smolts and kelts must be returned to the water immediately, irrespective of size and whether dead or alive.
(e) Barbless or de-barbed hooks only, which are not stainless steel, to be used on all waters.
Natural Resources Wales rules on migratory fish must be observed on the rivers
7. Selling of fish
The selling of fish caught on Associations waters is strictly prohibited.
8. River Protocol
Where more than one angler is fishing a stretch of river, a cast and one step downstream must be adopted. No angler shall remain in one position on the riverbank for more than one hour when other members are waiting to fish.
9. Association Keepers
Anyone obstructing an Association Keeper who is inspecting permits and investigating possible contraventions of fishery laws or infringements of Association rules or using threatening or abusive language, or behaviour towards an Association Keeper, or towards any permit holder, may be subject to the disciplinary powers of the Association.
10. Disciplinary Matters
The Association reserves the right to exercise appropriate disciplinary powers in relation to any permit holder, former permit holder, or prospective permit holder, who breaks any fishery law, whether arising in relation to the Association’s waters or elsewhere, or an infringement of any Association rule, is established. The Association’s decisions shall be final and binding and may include the withdrawal of the angling permit with or without refund of any payment, or by the disqualification of any person from holding a permit. This power may be exercised against a person convicted of any fishery offence, whether arising in relation to the Association’s waters or elsewhere, or a person found to have contravened any Association rule. In cases in which the angling permit has been withdrawn for a fixed term and the person involved wishes to re-apply for membership of the Association, that person must apply in writing to the Hon. Secretary
11. Complaints or Representations
Any complaints or other representations concerning actions of the Association, or of particular individuals acting on behalf of the Association, or relating to the behaviour of any permit holder, must be submitted in writing to the Hon. Secretary. The Association reserves the power to consider and resolve these matters, and its decision shall be final and binding.
12. Angling Safety
Other than where negligence on the part of the Association is established, no liability will be accepted for any accident or injury suffered by a permit holder exercising any right given by an Association permit. Under no circumstances will liability be accepted for any loss or damage to the personal property of a permit holder.
The Association’s Health & Safety Policy and risk Assessment literature are available on request from the secretary, or can be viewed on our website at: www.aber-angling.co.uk
13. Respect for Riparian Property
Anglers should respect all property of riparian owners. Signage must be adhered to. Hedges and fences must not be damaged, and gates must be left as found. Dogs must be kept under strict control. Fires are prohibited in all circumstances and, in view of the areas of forestry close to the waters, anglers are asked to be particularly careful when smoking.
14. Litter and Discarded Tackle
Anglers are requested to avoid leaving litter of any kind. Given the hazard which discarded nylon may constitute to wildlife, special ‘care should be exercised to avoid leaving lengths of waste nylon either in the water or on lands adjoining the fishery.
15. Disclaimer
It is agreed that all anglers are personally liable to insure themselves and their property. AAA can accept no liability for any loss, damage, injury or death to persons or property whilst fishing association waters, or while using the boats.
16. Communications to the Association
All communications to the Association should be directed to: The Hon. Secretary, Aberystwyth Angling Association Ltd., 6 Lon Llewelyn, Waunfawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 3TP e-mail: mbarrettuk05@yahoo.co.uk Telephone: 01970 623682.
The NRW incident line – 03000 653 000 please report any pollution incidents or poaching.