Children Under the Age of Sixteen

The under sixteens (our Minor memberships) make up approximately 30% of the total membership and it is wonderful to know that there is a new generation of anglers enjoying the sport. Getting out and going fishing, is so much better than anything else. I still get  that urge to fish, that was quite inexplicable as a child, and today I am simply reconciled to knowing about this drive and being glad that fishing is still, after over seventy years, a part of my life. When I was young I did fish badly out of ignorance and looking back also put myself in danger. [And yes I did get away with it, which is also how I learnt].

Now, as we all should know WDAC does have rules. The current problem that is arising  is among a few adults who leave  young members, on occasion, without supervision. The Club’s constitution under the heading Membership, at 3d, advise that:

Minor members (being under 16) will pay a reduced subscription rate and must be accompanied by an adult member or adult non-fishing associate member when visiting Club waters.

To facilitate this arrangement the Club issues a complimentary adult associate membership with each book. And as part of the process the nominated ‘adult’ receives an email from the Membership Secretary highlighting this critical restriction.

So, at face value, there is no excuse for a child to be fishing unsupervised. However, we know that on the one hand child members have an urge to fish and sometimes adults are desperate to leave a child somewhere safe to go to work. The difficulty is that WDAC is not a creche for young fishers and our volunteer bailiffs cannot look after them. We also know that inexperienced fishermen may get themselves into trouble and may injure or upset others by accident.  Each transgression is  a different case and needs careful handling, but the ultimate outcome is a potential ban for the child.

We will be changing our approach to this issue to make it even clearer that minors need somebody of 18 years and over to fish with them. Whilst the children may suffer it is not only irresponsible for the so called ‘responsible’ adult to leave a child, but it is equally unfair on other fishermen who may have to put up with sub-standard fishing and behaviour in their vicinity. So, if you are a ‘minor’ member aged under sixteen reading this do not fish on your own. If you are a parent who drops of a child to fish either stay with the child or stop this behaviour please.