FAQ

How do I get in an England Team?

For Home Internationals (v Ireland, Scotland & Wales – in Loch-style, Rivers or Bank disciplines) you first need to reach the appropriate National through Qualifiers organised throughout the country.

Doing well enough in the National Finals gains you a place in the England team for the following year, subject to formal approval by the ATTEFF International Committee (TEFFIC). 

To be eligible for selection to World and European Championship teams you must first achieve certain Selection Criteria based on your performance in Bank, Rivers and Loch-style heats in the Elite Performance Programme (EPP). This ranking then forms the basis of the World and European teams for the following year. The relevant team managers will select the teams from the list of those that do well in the EPP.

Which Qualifier should I fish?

There is no geographical requirement about which Qualifiers you fish, for example, even though you live in the South East you are still free to fish in Midlands Qualifiers. 

You can also fish Qualifiers in different disciplines in different geographical areas, for example, doing a Southern Rivers Qualifier and a Midlands Loch-style Qualifier. 

Most competitors find it best to do their Qualifier at a venue they fish regularly and therefore know well.

Who decides where Nationals are held?

The venue for Loch-style Nationals currently rotates between Grafham, Bewl, Rutland and Chew, the four approved venues. (Not necessarily in that order.) Other venues may be added to this list once approved by ATTEFF. 

Venues for the River and Bank Nationals are chosen by ATTEFF from a number of proposed venues. For organisational reasons the Rivers National venue usually remains the same for two consecutive years.  

What are the Competition Rules?

There are separate rules for Loch-Style, Rivers and Bank Qualifiers and Nationals. See this web site for details.

For World and European events, FIPS-Mouche rules apply. This information can be found elsewhere on this site.

How do I get a TEFF Badge?

Badges, Zingers, Ties and other TEFF merchandise are available from Paul Page. All profits go to TEFF funds.

Why did TEFF join The Angling Trust?

The Angling Trust (AT) is the new, single organisation representing all game, coarse and sea angling in England. It is the governing body for all angling, seeking government funding to develop the sport at all levels, and protecting your rights as a fisherman. It is our belief the AT will be the route through which sports grants will be available to fund teams and develop the sport throughout the country. More information

For every Qualifier I fish ATTEFF charges an entry fee on top of normal fishing fees. What happens to this?

This money goes towards supporting all ATTEFF teams at our International events. Such income is ring-fenced to ensure it is retained by ATTEFF and not passed on to the Angling Trust’s general fund.

Why do I have to be a member of the Angling Trust to fish a National?

Given that ATTEFF’s own charges are used solely for running its own events (see above), the Angling Trust still requires your support in order to represent all fishermen at every level. For that reason, all National competitors must have valid membership of the Angling Trust. You will find information on AT membership here.

Who runs the World and European Championships?

World and European Championships are run by FIPS-Mouche, or the Fédération Internationale de Peche Sportive Mouche (International Sport Flyfishing Federation). This is the fly fishing arm of CIPS, the World regulating body for competitive fishing in all disciplines. You will find more information at the CIPS website

Frequently Asked Questions – Loch-Style Qualifier Entrants 2025 v1.0

GENERAL.

Angling Trust statement on the role of volunteers
Angling Trust volunteers play a vital and integral role in angling participation. Without their dedication and commitment, the vast majority of events simply could not happen. We believe volunteers’ contributions should be acknowledged and appreciated by all anglers.
Unfortunately, there have been a number of recent instances where these unpaid Angling Trust officials have been subjected to abuse. The Angling Trust considers this abuse to be wholly unacceptable and as such will not be tolerated.
Complaints of mistreatment from our volunteers will be taken very seriously. Individuals who are considered to be out of order will be asked to explain their actions and may risk being excluded from future competitions
Thank you.

Where are this year’s heats being held and when?

This year heats will be split into two blocks – A, B and C (C is know as the ‘catch all’ heat.)

Dates for the heats along with entry and closing dates are on the TEFF website at https://te-tt.org/

Or Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/823847714952348

How many entries can I make in 2025?

You can now make 3 entries. You can enter in block A, B or C – you can enter 1, 2 or 3 times but be aware of the opening / closing dates. To enable TEFF to control the number in the final it is likely that less anglers will progress from block B and C heats. Also TEFF has set a maximum number at each heat – once a heat is full no more entries will be taken at that heat,

How will this year’s heats be organised?

We have reviewed the actual attendance at all heats over the last year or two and it is apparent that numbers interested in competitive fishing are falling. To address this TEFF has introduced a new set of heats as above. By allowing each angler to make up to three entries and by having set opening and closing dates for each heat, TEFF can ‘control’ the numbers progressing from each heat to the final.

How many will go through to the final?

Depending on entry numbers approx 45% to 55% should go through to the final from block A heats. Less will go through from blocks B and C. The aim is to have enough going through to make approx 100 rod final. See rules for details of heats and / or final where / when insufficient fish are caught.

How is the calculation of the numbers progressing done?

Once block A entries close TEFF will know the total entry and based on that a percentage will progress to the final. You will be told before the heat how many will progress from that heat. Once TEFF knows the total from block A it can roughly work out the percentage from block B. Block C will be used to ‘top up’ that total going through to the final such that it is around 100 anglers. Hence, those progressing from a Block C heat may be quite low.

Can I enter again if I fail to qualify at a block A heat?

Yes you can then enter the block B and / or C ‘catch all’ heat but the odds of qualifying will be far less. You do not have to enter a block A heat you can choose to enter either a B or C – it is your choice. The numbers progressing from a B or C block will be less than in an A block.

So how many rods will there be in the national final?

We aim to have a 100 rod final in 2025. It will very much depend on total entries.

Why have you decided to hold the final in 2025 over one day?

There is no evidence that a two day final produces better England team than a one day. In the current financial climate TEFF feels that a one day final may encourage more anglers to enter as the costs will be substantially reduced (a day’s less fishing charges and a day’s less accommodation). This will also align our final with that of the actual International which is one day. It has also listened to many anglers who were not in favour of the two day event. A one day final also cuts down on the administration costs too.

Do I have to pay the same fee for all my qualifiers and the final?

Yes.

Do I have to be an Angling Trust Member to fish a qualifier?

Yes. A check is made such that only paid-up members are able to enter. We would recommend you taking out Angling Trust membership to get your own Personal Liability Insurance anyway. Should you qualify for the AT TEFF Team England you must also be an Angling Trust member in the year that you fish for that team.

The venue I wish to fish in is full, what can I do?

You can only elect to fish another venue as no reserves will be taken.

I notice there is one closing date for entries, what is the purpose of that?

This enables TEFF to know exactly how many entries it will have before each heat is fished. That way we can work out the percentage that will progress to the final. Any shortfall will be made up from the block B and C heats.

You have asked me to pay my entry fee and fishing fee at the same time – why? What if I am a season ticket holder?

This is to save admin time and makes the whole payment process easier. The local organiser will NOT take any entry or fishing fees. These must all be paid when you enter on-line via the Angling Trust website payment system. TEFF will arrange for the fishing fees to be paid to the fishery.

If you are a season ticket* holder at one of the venues you will still be required to pay the full entry and fishing fee. It is your responsibility to re-claim your fishing fee from the fishery.

*At Anglian Water fisheries you will be responsible for paying for your fishing permit – this can be done upto 10 days prior to the match. When you enter a AW heat on the AT website you will be paying for your boat, entry fee and admin fee only.

What happens to the entry fee, is it ring fenced for the Loch Style Teams within AT?

The entry income is ring fenced and used to support all our AT TEFF teams. Every penny of revenue raised is reinvested in AT TEFF.

Are the rules across all qualifiers going to be standardised? Will strict International Rules be applied? What about Brown Trout?

For 2025, as a trial, the heat at Carsingham will be run on a no kill basis – see below.

All other heats will be fished to the same catch rules (subject to fishery rules).

On the whole TEFF tries to align its rules with those used in the International. However, the qualifiers will be fished to the rules published on the AT TEFF web site but there may be a few local changes dictated by the Fishery. Entrants should familiarise themselves with the fishery rules as well as local rules.

Changes / amendments to the rules will apply for 2025 – please ensure you read them again fully.

From 2024 all matches (except Carsingham – see above and below) will be fished to a format of kill 3, catch and release a further 13 then time bonus. 2lb per fish returned and 2lb per hour will apply (8ozs er quarter hour).

Debarbed or barbless flies are to be used throughout the matches.

What are the catch rules to be at Carsington?

As a trial in 2025, at the Carsington heat, no trout will be killed, Instead, on your match card the time of capture of every trout will be recorded up to a maximum of 12 fish. At that point fishing will cease and you can return to the boat dock. The final placings will be decided by the number of trout you return. In the likely event of two anglers returning the same number of fish, the time of return of an angler’s LAST fish will take precedence. For example, Anglers A and B catch 9 trout – on the match card the time ALL trout are returned is recorded. The time of the earliest final fish returned will take precedence. Angler A returns his 9th fish at 16.15 and Angler B returns his 9th fish at 16.07 – Angler B will finish above Angler A. It is therefore imperative that ALL fish returned are recorded along with the time of release.

Why are you doing this?

The format is being used in some team competitions and seems to work well. The days of targeting larger fish are now rare as so many fisheries are stocked on a ‘put and take’ basis. Many fisheries now also operate a catch and release option and, as such, may offer cheaper permits. The option to count fish caught rather than a mixture of kill and catch with bonuses means that there will be no dead fish to contend with at the weigh-in – the result will be strictly paper based. This in itself will speed up the results process. A trial will be held at Carsington in 2025 and this may, if all goes well, be used in the 2025 National Final and possibly at all heats in 2026.

What are the rules regarding taking Brown Trout?

No brown trout are to be killed at any venues. The event organiser will tell you the rules on recording brown trout at the pre match briefing.

How do I record Multiple hook ups?

New rules on multiple hook ups have been introduced – please read them carefully.

When fishing to catch and release, what are the rules on flies?

Debarbed or barbless flies are to be used throughout the matches.

AT TEFF appreciates that anglers have many thousands of flies dressed on barbed hooks. There will be a move to use totally barbless flies in the future. In the interim, any match involving catch and release will mean flies have to be either barbless or debarbed (unless the fishery allows otherwise – you will be notified at the pre match briefing). The use of certain flies when fishing to catch and release (boobies, doubles etc) may also be barred – again you will be informed at the briefing. Where we know in advance details will be posted on the TEFF website.

What are the rules on ‘bung’ flies?

Bungs or indicators are allowed in competitions – see general rules. However, it is important to note that these ‘flies’ must be constructed ‘within the spirit of the sport’ and must not have the hook gape obstructed. If in doubt show your ‘fly’ to the match officials before you fish.

How will my catch be recorded?

The event organiser will issue every angler with a pre printed match card. It is up to the anglers to complete this card with the details requested. You will fill in your partner’s card and he will fill in yours. The card must be signed. Failure to present a signed card at the weigh-in will mean disqualification. Cards must be marked at the end of the match such that no illicit entries can be made by either angler. Cards will be checked thoughout the match by officials and any incomplete card will mean both anglers are disqualified. You must complete catch details on the card as every fish is caught. You must provide your own ball point AND FINE TIP 0.4mm pen / dry wipe marker pen (for use on laminated score cards or paper). We also suggest you bring a suitable large clear plastic zip bag in which to store the card and to keep it dry (Dry wipe pens will not work on wet laminated cards and ball points will not work on paper cards)

Will there be reserves at the final?

Yes. If an angler that has qualified at a heat fails to enter for the final or drops out before day 1 of the final then the organiser will contact the angler next in line from the heat in which the original qualifier fished.

If, by 9.15am on the morning of day 1 of the final, an angler has not registered then a reserve/s will be taken from any angler present that fished a heat and finished in the first non qualifying position. If more than one is present then lots will be drawn. If none are present then any angler that fished a heat may be considered. Again lots will be drawn if there are more than one present.

Will it be possible to pay fishing fees on the day of the qualifier?

No. All fees are payable at the time of entry.

If I enter then drop out will I receive a refund?

In normal circumstances the answer is no as this creates additional administration work for all the organisers.

Will I know who I am fishing with?

You will know the day before the match. The organiser will have made the bat draw in advance of rhe heat/s. This draw will have been done independently and may involve a computer based draw.

In a 2 day final an angler drawn first on day 1 will be drawn second on day 2 (luck of the draw may mean he draws the same partner).

If I blank on day 1 of the final can I withdraw from day 2? (only in a 2 day final)

This is not within the spirit of the competition and makes the administration and boat draw far more difficult. You are expected to fish both days even if you are out of the running on day 1. Likewise, if for some unfortunate reason you are disqualified on either day you are still expected to fish but you will be deemed blank on both days.

What happens if there are odd numbers on the day of the qualifier?

The Local Organiser should have somebody on standby for this. If not a member of the fishery staff may fish.

Why is there such an emphasis on Insurance and Risk Assessment?

The health and wellbeing of anglers is of paramount importance. AT membership provides personal liability insurance.

How are any reported disputes / complaints dealt with?

At every qualifier there will be at least 3 AT TEFF nominated officials present. One is normally the event organiser but the others may be competing anglers or not. In the event of any complaints raised by competitors against other competitors (this must be done within the first 20 minutes of the match ending) a sub-committee of the nominated persons will be formed to adjudicate on the complaints raised. Observations and input from fishery staff will also be considered if available. The outcome will be announced before the results are made known unless input is required from other sources whereupon a decision may be delayed for several days. Entrants are advised not to leave the fishery after an event until the results have been announced and the findings from any reported disputes made known. Appeals can be made to the AT TEFF via the AT TEFF Secretary – see rules. Complaints made after the first 20 minutes of the match ending must be reported in writing to the AT TEFF secretary along with supporting evidence. This may include the name of witnesses or photographic evidence.

If I fall foul of the rules what will happen?

Matters of discipline are high on the AT TEFF agenda and revised guidance will be issued soon. However, you may find you are disqualified on the day of the heat and for more serious breaches, you may be disqualified from entering any further heats in the current and / or future years.