S.F.C.A. Match Rules - amended April 2003

1. Any number of rods and poles can be set up ready for use, but only one can be used at a time during the match.
2. Only one hook is allowed on the terminal tackle.
3. Keepnets can be positioned prior to the all-in. Weed cutter blades may be used (can be fixed to a pole) to clear unseen weed within the confines of the anglers peg. This must take place before the all-in. Raking of the bottom is not allowed on the day of the match.
4. Competitors can plumb the depth prior to the all-in.
5. Groundbait can be wetted but not introduced to the swim prior to the all-in.
6. No peg can be moved without the consent of a Federation committee member.
7. Seat boxes and / or platforms must be positioned within one metre of the bank.
8. The fishing limits of a peg are as follows ;
   (a) On a stillwater your peg limit is a point mid-way between adjacent pegs.
   (b) On a flowing river your peg limit is from a point straight in front of your peg, down to the next peg downstream.
9. Dead fish baits, artificial flies and lures cannot be used
10. All species of fish count except Pike, Sticklebacks, Minnows, Trout, Sea-trout, Salmon and Shellfish.
11. No bait or groundbait can be passed to competitors or retrieved from cars after the all-in.
12. Wading is allowed up to the knees in situations where fishing would prove difficult otherwise.
13. Competitors can leave their pegs only to satisfy the call of nature.
14. Only fish caught fairly by rod/pole and line will count. Anyone caught trying to scoop fish out with a landing net or with any other method will be considered cheating.
15. A competitor will not be weighed-in until all litter is removed from his peg.
16. A fish can be landed up to 15 minutes after the all-out provided it was hooked during the match.
17. All fish must be returned to the water alive after being weighed-in.
18. Each competitor must retain his half of the weigh card until all results have been announced and the pools paid.
19. Any objections must be in writing and in the hands of the Match Secretary (or his representative) within 30 minutes of the match ending.
20. Objections will dealt with on the day of the match by the Match Committee.
21. The Match Committee decision is final.
22. The all-in and all-out will be called by the organising club.
23. The weigh-in will be conducted by the organising club at the end of the match only.
24. The organising club can arrange weed raking sessions outwith the match day.
25. The organising club should take care to avoid overhead power lines when pegging match lengths.
26. The Match Secretary or his representative will oversee the organisation of each match.
27. The choice of venues will be made by the S.F.C.A. Match Secretary and advised to clubs, via tackle shops, no later than the Monday prior to each event. 
28. A draft calendar of dates for all federation matches will proposed by the Match Secretary in advance of the match committee meeting which will ratify any agreed changes.  Provisional or alternative dates may be set where definite dates are not known.
29. The Treasurer will receive all monies from the organising club due to the Federation.
30. The Match Secretary will provide results at regular intervals throughout the season.
31. All competitors must obtain day tickets where necessary prior to the start of the match.
32. Teams in all Federation Open Team matches are to comprise 3 anglers with all 3 anglers' results counting towards the team result.
33. If any team member is caught cheating, the whole team will be disqualified for that match. Their team pools money will be included in the team pool and paid out as normal. The same applies to any individual competitor in an open match.

34. Disabled or infirm competitors will be allowed to draw pegs close to the draw site at the discretion of the match organiser according to the following guidelines.
    - The match organiser must be notified in advance of the draw.
    - The match organiser will decide the closest or most appropriate 10 pegs in an open match or section in a summer league match. Safe and easy access with the shortest walk is the objective
    - In an open match the disabled or infirm anglers will draw first from the selected 10 pegs
    - In a team league match disabled or infirm anglers will be assigned to the selected section

35. In the event of an angler disturbing a wasps nest and a dangerous situation arising the angler will be allowed to change pegs.  The angler will be moved to the nearest available swim with the okay of the anglers each side. Points will be calculated using the weight caught applied to the original section.
36. An optional ‘Golden Peg’ pool will be run for all senior SFCA matches. Competitors wishing to enter will pay £1 to the match organiser before the draw.  The organiser will draw a peg number before the start of the draw which will be the ‘Golden Peg’.  Once the match draw has started entry to the pool is closed.  Should any golden peg not be drawn by an angler who entered the pool, that golden peg number will be re-drawn at the end of the match draw.  If the angler who draws the Golden Peg wins the match they will also win the accumulated Golden Peg pool.  If the Golden Peg pool is not won the pool is carried forward to the next match. Once the pool reaches £200 2 Golden Pegs will be drawn.  For every subsequent £100 another peg will be drawn, i.e. £399 = 3 pegs, £400 = 4 pegs.  In the unlikely event of a tie on weight between match winners on Golden Pegs, the pool will be divided amongst the winners.