Country: ENGLAND
Venue: River Tees (upper)
Dates: 19th to 22nd June (incl.)
Match date: Friday 21st June
Accommodation: The George Inn, Piercebridge

IRELAND TAKE THE GOLD

RESULTS

AT TEFF was represented by: Brian Lillie (captain), Peter Buckey, Paul Fairhurst, Tom Hunt, Kevin Moran, Gavin Walsh (reserve), and Paul Page (manager).

The Angling Trust reports: It’s match day and after this week of tactical analysis and fly tying, the four teams are down to business.
Pictures show England’s Tom Hunt, quartering through his peg on D section.
As ever, the Tees trout are playing ball, however not all sections are stuffed with fish.
During the 1st AM session some anglers worked super hard to put a fish in the net.
While other areas needed at least eight to keep up with the rods around them.
It’s all to play for, and the PM sessions start at three fifteen, so more news later this evening.

Team Manager Paul Page reports: The International match day on Friday found the weather set bright and sunny all day, light winds and the river level fallen further. After an early breakfast all competitors arrived at the High Force Hotel to prepare their tackle and meet up with their controllers.
The River Tees from Cauldron Snout down to High Force was divided into 5 beats A-E, the beats were then pegged 1-4 and the 20 Controllers allocated a peg. The pegs being the designated start position for the competitors for the morning and afternoon sessions. The controllers kept the same peg both morning and afternoon, and the competitors changed beats and pegs at lunch time for the afternoon sessions. The championship was fished to IFFA catch and release rules.
The morning sessions started at 09.45 -11.15, 11.15 -12.45.
The end of Session 1 saw Ireland with an early lead with 9 placings and both Scotland (11 placings) and England (12 placings) in close pursuit. 105 fish already on the score card and the temperature rising.
By the end of the Session 2 the leading 3 teams had closed together with only 1 placing point between them. Ireland 21 placings, England 22, Scotland 22 and Wales 35. England winning Session 2 to overtake Scotland.
After lunch, sessions started at 15.15-16.45, 16.45-18.15.
Session 3 kept England close behind Ireland and put a small gap between them and Scotland. Ireland maintaining the lead with 32 placings, England 33, Scotland 35 and Wales now struggling with 50 placings.
With only three placings’ difference between the three leading teams, Session 4 as so often became the one that would make or break team final positions. Considering that 305 fish had already been caught, the teams measured a further 66 fish. Ireland held on to its lead and finished with 42 placings; Scotland managed to overtake England with 46 placings; England, despite catching 10% more fish than any other team, was pipped by 1 placing with 47 placings, and Wales 66 placings.
The Individual winner was Mark Sloan, Ireland, with 29 fish and 5 placings. The top England place was Tom Hunt with 22 fish and 7 placings. Longest fish was caught by Kevin Moran of England, a 31.6cm Brown Trout

(Images: Paul Baker Photography)

England Captain Brian Lillie said after the Championship: “Firstly, it’s been an absolute privilege to both represent and captain this England team. It was an inexperienced team going into the event, with a combined number of only three river caps prior to the event and with three new caps given on the day. This did not matter a jot, and all team members fished brilliantly in the competition. Although we caught comfortably the highest fish numbers, it was a little disappointing that we only took the bronze position, based on the points system adopted, and missing narrowly on the higher medals. Congratulations to Team Ireland on an excellent win. In preparation we lost experienced team member Carl Nixon due to illness, and we wish him well in his recuperation. Howard Croston’s coaching support was also greatly welcomed prior to the event and formed the basis for both practice and match day tactics. Specific congratulations go to Kevin Moran on scooping the largest fish prize, and Tom B Hunt, being top England angler on the day. Gavin Walsh was superb and both Pete Buckey and Paul Fairhurst fished extremely consistently. Paul Page provided sage guidance and the outgoing coordinator Peter Scholes was a great organiser. Good luck Simon Caddy following in his footsteps. As a national team we’ll be back next year with more experience and will hopefully continue to improve results.”

Sponsors

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Hunt’s are proud sponsors of the 2024 Rivers International and wish all competitors the best of luck. Tight Lines from everyone at Hunt’s.