The Angling Trust reports: Hosted at some of the finest trout fisheries in the country, TroutFest 2024 will see seven individual qualifying matches take place over the next few months, all leading to the grand final on November 3rd. Each qualifier will be fished from the bank and the top anglers from each event will win a TroutFest fishery trophy and a golden ticket to the final where 28 rods will compete for the inaugural title, main trophy, and winner’s purse.

The seven qualifiers will begin on Sunday February 11 at Walthamstow and will see events staged at Chatton Fishery (Sunday March 17), Elinor (Sunday March 31), Exe Valley (Sunday April 14), Ellerdine (Sunday April 28), Innis Fly Fishery (Sunday May 12), and Bank House (Saturday June 22).

Anglers can book in at as many qualifiers as they wish to increase their chances of reaching the final which will be hosted at the superb Millets Farm Fishery, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The final is scheduled to take place on Sunday Nov 3rd 2024.

“The purpose behind the new event is two-fold, firstly to give game anglers an exciting new competition to be part of in 2024 and secondly to help raise awareness and much-needed funding for the England Youth Flyfishers squad,” explained Angling Trust Head of Competitions, Steve Fitzpatrick.
“The host fisheries for TroutFest 2024 are all dedicated supporters of the England Youth Flyfishers and have stepped in to help run the qualifiers in their areas and we can’t thank them enough for their backing. We hope that game anglers will embrace this new competition and in doing so support the EYFF squad.

In addition to the 27 qualifiers, England’s top performer at the Youth Home International in August will be invited to take part in the grand final.

England Bank Team Manager Lee Cartmail is excited by the new competition and believes every angler should get involved.
“TroutFest ticks a lot of boxes for me. Firstly, who doesn’t love hearing about the budding generation of England’s young anglers being supported in their quest for international competition fishing? This competition will help them progress as it helps support their Elite Coaching Program and Home International practice.
“Secondly, four of the fisheries offer a great opportunity for our AT TEFF Bank National competitors to have a practice under match conditions before their specific qualifier. There are few waters that don’t alter under match pressure.
“Thirdly, every fishery has its local anglers and they’ll be fishing for their very own TroutFest Fishery Cup which they can proudly display in the lodge for a year.
“What’s more, the September final is on a beautiful fishery most anglers will not have had the pleasure of fishing before – I wish everyone who competes the very best of luck.

How to book your ticket
Entry to each qualifier will be £40 per angler and there will be limited spaces at each qualifier. The top four anglers at the four qualifiers with 20 anglers, and the top three at the smaller qualifiers will each earn a golden ticket to the final.
Based on a sellout, the top prize for the winner at the final will be £1,000 as well as their name engraved on the inaugural trophy. Entry to the final will be £75 per angler which will cover day tickets, prizes, and lunch – the rest will go towards supporting the England Youth Flyfishers squad.
Tickets for TroutFest 2024 are on sale now via the Angling Trust website here: https://anglingtrust.net/our-competitions/game-competitions/angling-trust-troutfest/