Safety guide
Bankside safety starts before the peg
A calm session depends on choosing access, weather and equipment that leave room for mistakes.
Look up before carrying or assembling a rod
Carbon fishing rods and poles conduct electricity. Identify overhead lines before unloading, keep long sections horizontal while moving and choose another location when the safe clearance is uncertain. Obey warning signs and fishery restrictions.
Read the bank as carefully as the water
Wet clay, cut grass, tree roots, undermined edges and loose platforms can all change how you approach a peg. Keep an uncluttered route behind you, place tackle so it cannot roll into the water and avoid stretching over the edge to retrieve items.
Wading and boats change the consequences
Wear an appropriate, correctly fitted personal flotation device when wading or fishing from a boat. Learn the water and entry points before committing, use a wading staff where appropriate and turn back before depth, flow or footing exceeds your experience.
Darkness needs its own plan
Set up lighting and mark the safe route before light fades. Keep spare power accessible, tell someone where you are and when you expect to return, and avoid moving pegs after dark on unfamiliar ground.
Stop conditions
End or relocate the session when rising water, lightning, strong wind, damaged platforms, unstable trees, ice, heat or poor visibility make the plan unsafe. Tackle is replaceable; a session is optional.
Further guidance: read the Angling Trust freshwater health and safety guidance and the rules for your venue.