- Stay within your ability.
- Check the weather before heading out.
- Make yourself aware of local hazards.
- Let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return.
- Ensure you have means of summoning assistance.
- Make sure you have the lodge’s phone number.
- Fish in pairs wherever possible.
- Children must always be under direct supervision by a responsible adult.
- Report any incidents or safety concerns to a ranger as soon as possible.
- Take care when casting and check all around you for other people or hazards, such as power lines.
- The water and surrounding area may contain ticks, Weil’s disease, legionella, blue-green algae or similar, so please cover any open wounds and maintain good personal hygiene.
Staying safe at our sites
Follow our guidance to help ensure the safety of yourself, the people around you and wildlife when visiting our sites.
Who to contact in an emergency
All visitors are responsible for their own safety at all times. Our rangers and other staff will assist wherever possible but cannot be relied upon as they will not always be immediately available.
In the event of an emergency (risk to life) call 999. In non-emergency situations, or if you require general assistance, please locate a Ranger.
Sometimes Rangers may be around the reservoir site, so just call the lodge and leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
The phone number for the lodges at each of our fisheries are as follows:
- Clatworthy – 01984 624658
- Durleigh – 01278 424786
- Hawkridge – 01278 671840
- Sutton Bingham – 01935 872389
- Tucking Mill – 07795 305989
Why is swimming not allowed?
Swimming and unauthorised boat launching are not permitted to ensure your safety.
Any on water activity must be organised through an approved club or organisation - where appropriate safety procedures are in place.
Reservoirs pose a number of unobvious risks, some of which include:
- steep and slippery banks that can make climbing out of the water difficult
- very cold water, even during summer, that could cause complications
- deep areas and sudden drops and currents that can take advanced swimmers by surprise
- deep and sticky mud, weeds and hidden operational structures which make swimming dangerous
- algae and other toxic plants and waterborne diseases that could put your health at risk.
What to do if you fall in water
Would you know what to do if you got into difficulty in the water? Float by following these five simple steps recommended by the RNLI.
Learn more about how to enjoy water safely and what to do in an emergency.
How to stay safe while fishing