ARIZONA ANGLERS FAMILY FISHING CLUB CLUB RULES  ® Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club Rules Revised December 2003 Club was started in 1974 as the first Family Fishing Club in Arizona Purpose · Membership · Derby · Safety · Derby Meeting · Optional Jackpots · Code of Conduct ·  Miscellaneous · Bass of the Month · Fish Off · Christmas Parties Purpose: To improve on our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas, and to promoted and encourage youth and family fishing, and the love for the recreation. To support our state conservation department efforts and to report problems and concerns to the proper authorities. To promote good sportsmanship and a spirit of camaraderie among members of the club. Club members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the wholesomeness and image of Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club. Members expected to be role models, as this is a family organization. "Share the Knowledge". I, Edward L. Lowe hereby assign all my rights, title, and interest in the ownership of Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club, its trailer, and all club equipment of any kind whatsoever to the membership of said club. The bylaws and rules shall govern the Assignment this 26th day of June, 1989. Membership: All participants must be a member in good standing, or a signed-in guest of a member in good standing. This will include anyone in your boat participating in an Arizona Anglers derby. All members are expected to pay for their dues with the exemption of Life Time Members. Life Time Members will only be given out to a member that has gone above what is expected of them. Any member can nominate a member for a Life Time Membership to any board member, who will then forward the nominee to the current trustee’s who will make the decision of the Life Time Membership. Yearly membership dues are $40.00 for a single membership and $55.00 for a family membership. Paid dues are not refundable at any time. Dues will assist in the purchase of trophies, awards and etc. Memberships will run for one full year, expiring on the last day of your anniversary month. There is a 30 day grace period. Dues not paid within the 30-day grace period, your fisherman’s dozen will start over. A second 30-day may be granted for only extenuating circumstances with the following conditions: The member must contact a board member within the FIRST 30-day grace period and state the reason why the dues will be paid late. The reason will be discussed at the following board meeting and will be deemed an exception and the second 30-day grace period will be granted by a 2/3 votes by the board. If at the end of the second 30-day grace period and the dues are not paid your fisherman’s dozen will start over. Any children of a family must purchase their own membership when they reach the age of 18. Guest may attend and fish one derby. However, they must join the club to be eligible to fish any derby thereafter. When a guest becomes a member the following month from when fished as a guest, the weight of the fish they caught will count. Out of state relatives or friends of members in good standing are exempt from this rule. Derby: Due to Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club insurance everyone on shore and/or fishing the derby must be signed in. We will have a separate sign-in sheet for individuals not fishing the derby. Derby sign-in and approximate start time shall be predetermined prior to each derby. Members will be notified in the club newsletter prior to each derby of these times. Friday night sign-in will be from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Saturday morning sign-in will be listed in the club newsletter, along with the weigh-in times. On two day derbies, Sunday morning weigh-in will be from 10:30 to 11:00 am. Any changes will be posted on the club bulletin board located at derby headquarters. At sign-in one person from each boat will draw a number and this will be the order boats will start. All members and guest must sign-in prior to participating in the derby. There is a $20.00 entry fee for adults who enter the derby. There are no derby fees for children under the age of 18. Adults may weigh in Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass and must be a minimum of 12 inches in length and weigh at least ½ pound. This will be modified due to slot limitations. This modification will be decided upon during a meeting prior to the beginning of the derby. All adults must provide their weigh slip to the Weigh Master to be eligible to weigh their fish. Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club has a late sign in slot on the club trailer. Should you miss the last sign-in on Saturday morning members will need to use the late sign in method. You will need to fill out the form, place your money in the envelope, and tear off the stub. Place your envelop in the slot. You will need to bring the stub to the first weigh-in to get your weigh-in slip. Without the stub you will not be able to weigh-in your fish. It shall be our goal to release every fish caught alive and unharmed. Fish may be kept; however, the individual must let the weigh master know so the fish may be marked. Dead fish will be the responsibility of the individual bringing the dead fish to the weigh-in. It will be determined by the participating board members who are actively working the weigh-in to determine if the status of a dead fish is deem able for weigh-in. A vote will be taken by the participating board members at that time and this decision will stand. Kids, Junior’s and Intermediates must fish the year in the division they started the year in. Kid’s and Junior’s will receive points, one (1) point for participation, first place receives five (5), second four (4), third three (3), fourth two (2) and fifth one (1). Intermediates go by the weight of their fish. Fish will be measured with the mouth closed and the tail pinched and fanned. All derby start times will be determined on an individual basis. Protest procedures: Protest will be accepted and ruled on by the President and board members present if received verbally or written one half hour of the scale closing. All allegations will be investigated prior to Sunday’s meeting. Children participating in club derbies are broken into three age divisions. Kid’s age 0-9, Junior’s age 10-13 and Intermediates age 14-17. Children competing in the Kid’s or Junior’s division may weight any fish they catch, providing that the fish is the size of their hand (from the bottom of the palm to the tip of their fingers) in length. Five fish per weigh-in. Individuals participating in the Intermediate’s division must follow the same rules as the adults for weighing in their fish. Their fish must be a minimum of 12 inches in length, and must either be largemouth or smallmouth and weight at least ½ pound. You may fish with live bait or artificial bait. Random live well checks will be made prior to the start of each derby at the advisory board member discretion, with the exception of late sign-in members who must have their live well checked by a board member prior to fishing. If no board member is available, another club member may check the live well as long as that club member is not fishing out of your boat. Safety: No alcohol consumption while operating and/or in a water craft while participating in an Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club Derby. If alcohol is found in your watercraft and/or consumption during the derby you will be disqualified from the derby and any fish weighed in will not be forfeited. If you receive a ticket on the lake during the derby for operating under the influence you will be disqualified and fished weighed will be forfeited. All U.S. Coast Guard rules apply to each club member operating the boat. All applicable State and Local laws and regulations will be obeyed by all club members. All club members will observe applicable slot and bag limits, and Lake Area closures. Each club member must have an acceptable PFD for each person in his or hers boat. Derby Meeting: The club will hold a meeting following every derby. Prizes and awards will be handed out to the winners as soon as the weight totals are completed. The club business will also be held at this time. All winners must be present at the meeting to be eligible to receive prizes to which they may be entitled. There will be a raffle for prizes after the club business and awards have been taken care of at the meeting. When winners come forward to receive a check and/or prizes we need to share the information on how and what you used to catch your fish. Remember we are a family fishing club; we have children present who like and want to hear this information, along with beginning fishing individuals. "Share the Knowledge!" During the club meeting is the time to bring up questions and/or comments. Optional Jackpot: There are optional cash jackpots for the men and women’s divisions. The Big Fish, Big Three and 2nd Option Big Three. These options are paid out from 2nd to 8th place depending on how many entrants in each jackpot. Big Fish: Is for the single biggest bass weighed in for men’s and women’s division. Cost for Big Fish is $5.00 per person. Big Three: Is for the biggest three bass weighed in for men’s and women’s division. Cost for Big Three is $5.00 per person. 2nd Option: Is for the biggest three bass weighed in by men’s and women’s division, however, the top 10 men and top 5 women from the previous year are not eligible for this jackpot. Any person entering the 2nd Option must enter the Big Three Option to be eligible for this jackpot. Cost for 2nd Option is $5.00 per person. Code of Conduct: Club members are expected to represent the club in an ethical and positive manner at all times. Examples of unacceptable include unsafe boat operation, lack of boating/fishing courtesy and sportsmanship, and the failure to abide by state fishing and boating regulations. Club members need to respect the decision of the board. No drunkenness will be allowed in camp. Respect club member’s personal property. All Arizona Angler Family Fishing Club members need to attempt to use proper language around other club members and especially in front of the children. As we are a Family Oriented Fishing Club. Any participants determined to be intoxicated by two (2) board members anytime during the derby will not be allowed to participate. No member/guest shall ever be rude or belligerent to a member or non member at an Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club derby or event. No member/guest shall ever engage in a profane-verbal or physical altercation with a member or non-member at an Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club derby or event. Any violations to the above mention Code of Conduct must be brought to the attention of the President of Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club, at which time a decision will be made on whether the individual(s) should be disqualified or asked to leave the function by 2/3 vote of the attending board members. Miscellaneous: All parents and/or guardians are responsible to supervise their own children and the conduct of their children. Should there be any changes to derby locations, times, and availability of camp grounds a board member and only a board member will contact members to inform them of the change. Every effort will be made to contact all members. All board members must make a concerted effort to attend board meetings and assist in activities at the derbies and other events to support Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club. Member in good standing is current on dues, adheres to current rules and by-laws, state laws and the code of conduct while participating in the derby. The club has a noise curfew that is in effect from 10pm to 4am. All members must respect the rights of other members and guests during these hours. All pets brought to a derby shall remain on a leash at all times. A President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer will operate the club and selected volunteer advisory board. There should be no alterations made of any fish caught or weighed by a club member or guest of Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club. Bass of the Month: A plaque for "Bass of the Month" and "Bass of the Derby" is given out to the club member who catches the largest bass for each month, one for the men’s and women’s division. Should a club member have bass of the month and bass of the derby will only receive one plaque, stating bass of the month and bass of the derby. The largest bass of the month does not have to be caught at a derby; however the member will need to be a member in good standing with Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club. All fish submitted must be weighed on a state-certified scale or a quality hand held digital scale. You must get at least two witness’s signatures. Said weight slip must be submitted to an advisory board member together with a picture (if possible) prior to the fourth day of the following month in which said fish was caught. All fish must be caught in the state of Arizona. It must be caught at a lake or river accessible to the general public (i.e. no private ponds, lakes etc). At the end of the tournament year these monthly winners will be eligible to compete in the year end fish off. This will include bass of the month winners and bass of the derby winners for men’s and women’s. Fish Off: If a member joins in October or November and wins a derby or has Big Fish of the month do qualify for the Fish Off since they have fished 100% of the time since becoming a member. Joining in October you must fish November to be eligible. The year end Fish-Off is open to all who have qualified by winning a derby, bass of the month, bass of the derby, those who have finished in the top 10 for the men’s division and top 5 for the women’s division for the year, and all board members. Anyone who qualifies for the Fish-Off may bring a guest, providing the guest is a member in good standing. Qualified participants and guest must have fished a minimum of three (3) regular derbies during the year to be eligible. All entrants in the Fish-Off must pay a jackpot fee to be determined by the advisory board. Men will fish for the men’s jackpot, and the women will fish for the women’s jackpot. The jackpot is 100% payback to the winners. All entrants are eligible to win the jackpot money. Only those who have qualified to compete for Bass of the Month, Bass of the Derby and Derby winner’s plaques may win them. Those who qualify for all categories may win all. There are no children allowed at the Fish-Off. No Exceptions!!! The club will provide steaks to all qualified participants. All guests will be required to pay for their steaks ($5.00). Total weight is determined by a total of no more than five fish (bass only). Fish-Off hours are from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Fish-Off participants must be in line at 2:00 pm, no exceptions. Christmas Parties: The club will hold an election for officer’s each year at the adult Christmas Party. Nominations for officers will be taken at the November Derby; nominees will then be posted in the November newsletter. The adult Christmas Party shall be open to the public at a cost of $5.00 per single and $10.00 per couple (board members and their spouses are exempt). The club will provide hams, turkeys and drinks. Club members and guest will bring a dish for the potluck dinner. You must be at least 18 years old to attend (No exceptions). You must be at least 21 years old to consume any alcoholic beverages. At the adult Christmas party year end awards will be handed out for the men’s and women’s division. Kid’s Christmas Party will be for all the kids that participated in Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club derby during the year. Each participant will receive a participation trophy; trophies will be handed out to the top 3 individuals in each division. (Kid’s, Juniors and Intermediates). There will be no guests at the kid’s Christmas party. Each individual attending the kid’s Christmas party will receive a gift from the Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club. Club rules revised by the following Board Members in 2003: President:                Bobby Grissom Vice-President:       Ed Ruhe Secretary:               Judy McKenna Treasurer:              Charlotte Grissom Trustee:                  Mary Gray Trustee:                  John Hawkins Gary Haggard Mike McKenna Angela Marsh Wade Marsh Kathy Hawkins