Angling Trust Team England Fly Fishing

Country: WALES

Venue: Llyn Trawsfynydd

Dates: 19th to 23rd May (incl.)

Match date: Friday 22nd May

Accommodation: The Celtic Royal, Caernarfon

Results

1. Scotland 199 fish 11432pts
2. England 154 fish 8943pts
3. Wales 112 fish 6489pts
4. Ireland 114 fish 6486pts

Grand Totals 579 fish 33350pts

Best Basket – Tyler Hay (Scotland) 30 fish 1723pts

Biggest Fish – Shakti Begha (England) 72cms

England – Jake Wenman 26 fish 1489pts
Ireland – Robert Flaherty 17 fish 968pts
Scotland – Tyler Hay 30 fish 1723pts
Wales – Justin Allen 16 fish 924pts

Full Results:

Congratulations to Scotland on their victory.

AT TEFF was represented by: Gary Morris (Captain), Shaktihang Begha, Paul Bond, Phil Calvert, Richard Denney, Ryan Feber, Gary Haskins, Sean Hanlon, Tim Joyce, Mark Rose, Dom Sheratte, Frank Sumnall, Nick Tompkins, Jake Wenman & Ian Colclough (Manager).

TEFFTV

International practice day 2026

2026 Final of the Spring Loch Style International

IFFA Spring Loch Style Fly Fishing International at Llyn Trawsfynydd, Wales on Friday 22nd May 2026

Press Release

The international is fished from free drifting boats with anglers from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales competing for the various trophies.
Teams consist of 14 anglers and in England’s case are drawn through qualifier events from across the country.
Teams gathered for the official practice day on Wednesday 20th but were unable to access the water due to abnormally strong winds. Some teams had been out practising prior to this date which gave them an early insight into fish locations and methods. Fortunately boats were allowed out on the 21st and the England team took full advantage with some very good catches. The weather however changed dramatically on match day from cloudy and cool with gusty winds changing on the day to brightness, warmth and lighter breezes.
The trout were found to be located in several small areas mainly in shallow water around the many rocks and shallows. Care was required to handle the boats in these areas.
At the cessation of the match a quick count indicated a large win for the Scotland team with England in second place, Wales third and Ireland fourth. Top English angler was Jake Wenman with an incredible catch of 26 trout.
AT TEFF would like to congratulate Scotland on their win. Also thanks to the Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association for organising the international and to the fishery for their efforts in providing such excellent fishing. Thank you to the 28 boatmen who gave up their time on the match day. Finally thanks to the Celtic Royal Hotel for providing accommodation and an excellent gala dinner at the awards evening.

Main results.
Top rod – Tyler Hay, Scotland – Brown Bowl – top rod for the third consecutive time – 30 fish – outstanding achievement.
Best fish – Shakti Begha, England – H. Emyr Lewis trophy for a fish of 72cm
Best English bag – Jake Wenman, England – The Grafham Trophy – 25 fish

The England team comprised: Ian Colclough (Team Manager), Gary Morris (Captain), Shaktihang Begha – new cap, Phil Calvert, Richard Denney, Ryan Feber, Paul Bond – new cap, Gary Haskins, Bruce Blackshaw – new cap, Tim Joyce, Mark Rose, Dom Sheratte, Frank Sumnall, Nik Tompkins – new cap, Jake Wenman

A special mention for Ron Gent who qualified for the team but sadly passed away a few months before the event. His wife will be presented with his cap posthumously.

Best Fish – Shakti Begha – 72cms rainbow

Best Fish – Shakti Begha (England) – H. Emyr Lewis trophy

Best English Bag – Grafham Trophy – Jake Wenman – 25 fish

October 2025

Sunday 12th October – Lower Itchen – Organiser: Tony Fox

Overall Results: 1. Julian Erbsloeh 2. Jay Curry 3. Tim Pottage 4. Alex Adams 5. Alex Tipping 6. Andrew Smith 7. Vinnie King 8. M Cave 9. Baz Reece 10. S Crowder 11. Mike Heritage 12. Harry Chance 13. Gavin Walsh 14. John Bowen 15. Jim Dillon 16. O Palmer 17. Alan Williams 18. John Waters

May 2026

Sunday 17th May – River Tees, Raby Estate – Organiser: Harry Chance

Overall Results: 1. Scott Nellins 2. Anthony McKenna 3. Paul Fairhurst 4. Stewart Wake 5. Peter Crowe 6. Karl Watson 7. Tom Speak 8. Paul Baker 9. Tim Pottage 10. Gary Clews 11. Kevin Moran 12. Nick Craigs 13. Chris Richardson 14. Peter Scholes

June 2026

Sunday 28th June – River Ure, Wensley – Organiser: Paul Page

The Qualifier will be fished to IFFA Section A – Fishing rules and AT TEFF River Qualifier scoring system, on a Catch, Measure & Release basis. Both Trout and Grayling 20cms and above will be eligible for measuring, scoring & the awarding of fish points.

Entrants will be split into 2 groups:
Morning Group – fishing am & controlling pm.
Afternoon Group – fishing pm & controlling am.

HQ: Three Horseshoes, Wensley, Leyburn, N Yorkshire DL8 4HJ.
am fishing Wensley Beat, pm fishing Bolton Hall Beat
Both Wensley and Bolton Hall beats are closed for practice Saturday 27th June 2026
Fishing Times: Morning group 09:00am – 12:30pm. Afternoon group 14:00pm – 17:30pm
Briefing: 08:00am
Entry Fee: £30.00
Fishing Fee: £25.00 payable on the morning directly to the organiser unless you are a Bolton Estate Season ticket holder or have purchased a Special Limited Season Ticket, from the organiser below.
Min entries: 12 / Max entries: 24
A limited number of day tickets are available from the Estate Office tele.01969 621182
A Special Limited Season Ticket covering 16th – 26th and 28th June inc. can be purchased for £60 in advance from Paul Page. Contact 07768 854849, ventonpage@gmail.com
Please ensure that your membership is valid and up to date at the time of applying and for your qualifier/s you are fishing and if you are successful to fish the final, otherwise the Angling Trust reserve the right to refuse entry to fish the event.
AT TEFF matches now have an AT membership requirement. If you need to renew or sign up, please visit the Angling Trust website here>> or call 0343 5077 006 (option 1).

Cancellation/Refunds: Please note: If you wish to cancel a ticket, please inform refunds@anglingtrust.net by email, and include your name, the name of the qualifier you would like to cancel, your membership number & postcode. We require 3 days’ notice prior to the qualifier in order to process a refund. Any notification outside of this time scale will not be entitled to receive a refund. Please note: There is no secondary market for the sale or transfer of any tickets.

How to enter
Sorry but only members of Angling Trust can purchase tickets for this event.
Entry details here>>

July 2026

Sunday 26th July – River Dee, Llangollen – Organiser: Harry Chance

26 July 2026 9:30 AM – 26 July 2026 5:00 PM
HQ: Hand Hotel, Bridge Street, Llangollen LL20 8PL
Members only

The draw will take place on Saturday 25th July 6:30pm in the bar of the Hand Hotel, Bridge Street, Llangollen LL20 8PL. What3word///fiery.vertical.clip

Briefing to take place at the Hand Hotel at 7:30am Sunday 26th July.

Fishing Times – Fishing will be split into 2 sessions.

Session 1: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Score cards are to be handed in to Harry Chance at the end of the session he will be at location mimes.manuals.indulges
Froncysyllte Community Centre LL20 7RH carpark

Lunch: 12:45pm to 13:30pm

Session 2: 14:00pm to 17:00pm
Return to Froncysyllte Community Centre LL20 7RH carpark hand in score cards and troughs.

Practice: The competition water will be closed from sunset on Sunday the 19th July 2026

Entry Fee: £30.00

Fishing Fee
If you are not a member of Llangollen and Maelor angling association, please purchase a ticket direct from the club.
Proof of day ticket will be required on the day for you to be able to fish.
Website contact Llangollen Maelor Angling about membership to fish on the River Dee, North Wales
The water kindly allocated by Llangollen and Maelor Angling for this competition is.

Top of beat downstream side of Bont bridge what3words///astounded.wipes.cleans.

Bottom of beat upstream side of the viaduct what3words///kicks.presenter.slugs.

This water will be fished in both sessions. Due to this the tickets are limited to 14 total.

Max entries: 14

Should you have any questions relating to this event please contact Harry Chance on 07719 302747 or email: westcountyff@gmail.com

Rules
The competition water will be closed from sunset on Sunday the 19th July 2026
Fishing will be to AT TEFF International Competition Rules and those Rule Modifications listed below. The main points will be briefed on the day. Fishery rules, beat info, parking areas are on the map above.

Rule Modifications

1. Size Limit – minimum 20cms
2. In both the Final (and in any practice days), AT TEFF rules and these Modifications apply.
3. The use of any ‘BUNG’ is strictly banned any fish caught using this method will not count.
4. Dry flies used in methods such as Trio and Duo should be flies that can reasonably be expected to take a wild river fish.
5. Any ‘Shuffling’ will result in disqualification.
6. Controllers and Competitors are NOT allowed to cross the river before the match has begun.
7. All Fish must be netted whilst the fish is still in the water. Under no circumstances should a fish be “aerialised”.

Please ensure that your membership is valid and up to date at the time of applying and for your qualifier/s you are fishing and if you are successful to fish the final, otherwise the Angling Trust reserve the right to refuse entry to fish the event.
If you need to renew or sign up, please visit the Angling Trust website here>> or call 0343 5077 006 (option 1).

Cancellation/Refunds: Please note: If you wish to cancel a ticket, please inform refunds@anglingtrust.net by email, and include your name, the name of the qualifier you would like to cancel, your membership number & postcode. We require 3 days’ notice prior to the qualifier in order to process a refund. Any notification outside of this time scale will not be entitled to receive a refund. Please note: There is no secondary market for the sale or transfer of any tickets.

How to enter
Sorry but only members of Angling Trust can purchase tickets for this event.
Entry details here>>

National Rivers Final

R. Tees – 5th-6th September 2026 [by kind permission of the Raby Estate]

Rivers Qualifier Organiser – Harry Chance westcountryff@gmail.com

Entries & Results Spreadsheet

Team England Fly Fishing is looking to appoint an Executive Chair who can play a pivotal role in ensuring that TEFF operates efficiently, maintains strong governance, and achieves sustainable growth while representing the interests of stakeholders, and be actively involved in management and operational decisions and guiding the TEFF Executive toward strategic success.
Please see attached Job Description etc.
Applicants are invited to submit a short CV to Paul Page at ventonpage@gmail.com before the 31st May 2026.

Block A Qualifiers

Grafham Water – Sunday 19th April

Blagdon Lake – Sunday 26th April

Sweethope Loughs – Sunday 3rd May

Bewl Water – Sunday 3rd May

Ladybower Fisheries – Sunday 10th May

Team England Fly Fishing is proud to announce a new supporter, The Peacock at Rowsley. Set in the heart of the Peak District, and famous for its fly fishing, The Peacock is giving Team England FF a discount on accommodation only. This is a heritage luxury hotel and restaurant, where hospitality and timeless history meet. And you can relax in glorious surroundings.

Team England Fly Fishing would like to thank Mr Simon Caddy, who has stood down from being the England Rivers Manager, for all his hard work and dedication to the Rivers Team. In response to this Team England Fly Fishing are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Paul Baker as the New Rivers Team Manager for 2026, we wish Paul Baker Good luck and Tight Lines for the future.

Yours Sincerely,

Keith Wallace, Sponsorship & Marketing

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/man-to-lead-england-fly-fishing-team-set-to-make-first-trip-back-to-country-he-served-in/164gnwm

The BBC also has coverage of Del here>>

Veteran heads back to Bosnia for fishing champs

Del Spry completed three tours of the Balkans in the 1990s and early 2000s

Mark McAlindon and Hannah Mitchell, North East and Cumbria

An army veteran who served in the Bosnian war is to return to the country to compete in the European Fly Fishing Championship.

Derek Spry, known as Del, is the captain of the England team.

The former soldier, from Carlisle, served with the UN Forces during the Bosnian war, and his return for the competition in June will be the first time he has visited the country since then.

“I said I never wanted to go back,” Spry said. “The destruction throughout the country was eye-opening.”

He completed three tours of the Balkans in the 1990s and early 2000s.

“The difference I saw was quite dramatic in terms of the country’s recovery,” he said.

“I initially wasn’t going to go back, but I know some of the Bosnian fishing team and they say it’s a nice place these days.

“Twenty-five years later, I think it’s going to be a nice experience.”

Spry said the competition would be “tough”

Spry also served in Sierra Leone and Afghanistan, where he was injured by an improvised explosive device.

The veteran first started fly-fishing when he was 12 and found returning to the sport after serving in the army to be “very relaxing”.

“Getting in the river, three hours can fly by,” he said. “It’s almost like meditation – the focus on everything, making a nice cast, tying flies, changing flies and trying to trick a wild fish into taking it.”

The 30th European Fly Fishing Championship will be held in Mostar and Livno regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina, with teams competing on the Buna River and Mostar Lake in Mostar, and the Sturba River in Livno.

“It’s going to be tough,” Spry said. “A lot of the other teams have easier access to fishing in those kinds of rivers than we have. They have a lot of skills, a lot of experience, a lot of funding.

“But we’ve got a pretty good team and we’ll do our best.”