Five Nations

8th Five Nations (5NFFC) Fly Fishing Championship 2023

Grafham Water & Elinor Trout Fishery, Huntingdon, England

Monday 12th to Friday 16th June 2023

Angling Trust Team England Fly Fishing is pleased to be hosting this year’s 5N Championship, which will be based at the Racecourse Hotel, Huntingdon. The fly fishing will be from drifting boats on Grafham Water, and from the bank at Elinor Trout Fishery. Teams will compete to FIPS-Mouche rules at four 3-hour sessions spread over 2 days.

Four Teams have registered, representing England, Scotland, Ireland and Norway.

England:
Mark Withyman (Captain), Andy Taylor, Simon Clarke & Gilliaum Vermeulen

Scotland:
Ian Runcie (Captain), Scott Freeman, Ian Wilson & Ron Chesney

Ireland:
Declan O’Sullivan (Captain), Darren Curran, Eamon Keaney & Richard Willis

Norway:
Cato Vivelid Nilssen (Captain), Erlend Vivelid Nilssen, Henrik Botnevik & Geir Granli

CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAMME

Monday 12th June
15:00 Check in at hotel
20:00 Dinner in hotel
21:00 Captains’ Meeting & Draw

Tuesday 13th June
06:30 Breakfast
09:00 Practice Sessions – Grafham & Elinor Sectors
20:00 Dinner in hotel
21:00 Captains’ Meeting

Wednesday 14th June
06:30 Breakfast
09:30-13:00 Session 1 – Grafham & Elinor Sectors
14:15-17:45 Session 2 – Grafham & Elinor Sectors
20:00 Dinner in hotel

Thursday 15th June
06:30 Breakfast
09:30-13:00 Session 3 – Grafham & Elinor Sectors
14:15-17:45 Session 4 – Grafham & Elinor Sectors
20:00 Dinner in hotel
21:00 Medal Ceremony

Friday 16th June
06:30 onwards Breakfast & Departure

The 2023 5NFFC is being sponsored by both Hunt’s Original and FlyFishNorth, who are kindly providing samples of their Fly Preparation and Fly Tying materials.

England Team Captain Mark Withyman said: “It’s always a real honour to represent your country in your chosen sport, so I and the team are all delighted to be fishing the 5N on home soil. We believe that these competitions are important to be supported as they represent the stepping stone to other Fips mouche events and as such are a valuable introduction to the pressures and intensity that those competitions hold. Our thanks go to the organisers, controllers and competitors for holding the event which I’m sure will be a good one”

Angling Trust Team England Fly Fishing 5NFFC Event Organiser Paul Page said: “June is a challenging month for trout fishing as both water temperatures and weed growth increase. However, there are plenty of fish to be caught and returned safely at both fisheries. Grafham Water and Elinor Trout Fishery are well established and renowned Midland stillwaters so we can expect a good competition.”

LINKS
Holiday Inn Huntingdon Racecourse Hotel –
http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/huntingdon/xhuhr/hoteldetail
Grafham Water – http://www.anglianwaterparks.co.uk/grafham-water-park/fishing
Elinor Trout Fishery – https://elinortf.co.uk/
Hunt’s Original – http://www.huntsoriginal.co.uk
FlyFishNorth – http://www.flyfishnorth.com
Angling Trust – http://www.anglingtrust.net
Team England Fly Fishing – http://www.te-ff.org

2022 Five Nations Fly Fishing Championship, Ireland

The 2022 Five Nations Fly Fishing Championship took place on the 18th – 23rd September, at Macroom Ireland, on Lough Lene, Gougane Barra Lake and the River Blackwater.

Teams from Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Belgium & Norway competed.

AT Team England Fly Fishing was represented by Lee Cartmail (Manager & Captain), Del Spry, Chris Micallef and Joel Beeney.

The Angling Trust reports: The 2022 Five Nations Fly Fishing Championship took place this week from the 18th – 23rd September. Hosted in Macroom Ireland, with fishing on Loughs Lene, Gougane, Barra Lake and River Blackwater. England’s team included: Lee Cartmail (Manager & Captain), Del Spry, Chris Micallef and Joel Beeney.
With little time to practice and acclimatise to venues, our guys had to share all their knowledge and angling skills to find themselves amongst the medals. Competing against teams from; Ireland, Scotland, France, Belgium & Norway.
Paul Page, Chair of the AT TEFF Executive, called us from Canada with this quote:
“An exemplary demonstration of teamwork by England’s 5 Nations Fly Fishing team has brought home the Team Silver from the recent 5NFF Championship in Balavourny Ireland.
With only 1 day’s practice and the 4 competition sessions available to build a strategy, pooling information was vital.
Congratulations to the team especially as there were 3 Irish teams fishing the Championship on home ground this year.”

5NFFC Team Update

Selection for the 2022 5NFFC team has now been completed. It was decided that the deferred team from the postponed 2020 5NFFC would be contacted first and any spare places would be offered in sequence from those who were not representing England from the 2021 EPP results.

Our team for 5NFFC 2022 is: Lee Cartmail (Manager & Captain), Del Spry, Chris Micallef and Joel Beeney.

The team will be heading to Macroom, Ireland to fish sessions on Lough Lene, Gougane Barra Lake and River Blackwater. Teams are anticipated from Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Belgium & Norway. The Championship is scheduled for 18th – 23rd September.

5NFFC/EPP Team Selection Update

After reviewing the progress of the proposed 2021 5N League, the selection of individuals to form future England 5N Teams will be incorporated into the Elite Performance Programme (EPP).

The impact of COVID restrictions has inevitably disrupted the normal timetables for selection and representation of World and European teams. We now need to bring these back in synch and incorporate the 5NFFC team selection.

For 2022 Teams:

World – selected from recent 2021 EPP

European – carried over from 2019 EPP selection

5NFFC – selection options being considered by ATTEFF exec

For 2023 Teams:

World – to be selected from 2022 EPP

European – selected from the recent 2021 EPP

5NFFC – 1 or 2 teams to be selected from 2022 EPP

For 2024, all team selections will be made from the 2023 EPP.

5 Nations Fly Fishing Championship, Ireland

Because of the uncertainty regarding travel and accommodation requirements, the 5NFFC 2020, due to be held in Ireland from the 15th to 19th July this year, has been cancelled, and will be re-scheduled to a similar time in Ireland in 2021.

2019 5 Nations Championship, Scotland

10th-15th June – Carron Valley, Lintrathen Loch & Ledyatt Trout Fishery

Congratulations to the AT TEFF England team who got the team Silver at the recent Five Nations Championships in Scotland, and to captain Lee Bartlett who got the individual Gold.

Team Results:

1. France A – 62 place pts
2. England – 68 place pts
3. France B – 71 places pts

Individual Results:

1. Lee Bartlett (England) – 31 fish – 6 place pts
2. Philippe Collet (France) – 24 fish – 10 place pts
3. Erin Nielsen (Norway) – 24 fish – 10 place pts
   

   Mark Withyman

AT TEFF England was represented by: Mark Withyman (player/manager), Lee Bartlett (captain), Gilliaum Vermeulen & Sean Brooks. This year’s Silver

AT TEFF England team announced

The Angling Trust has announced the England team to compete in the 2019 5N (5 Nations) competition. Scotland will host the event for the second time as teams from Scotland, England, Ireland, France and, for the first time, Norway will compete in the event. The competition will take place between 10th-15th June, and will be held on Carron Valley, Lintrathen Loch and Ledyatt Trout Fishery.

Following England’s successful campaign in 2018 which resulted in a silver medal, Mark Withyman will once again lead England as player/manager. The experienced Lee Bartlett will captain the team, and they will be joined by Gilliaum Vermeulen and the up and coming Sean Brooks.

You can follow Team England’s progress in the competition via the Angling Trust’s competitions Facebook page www.facebook.com/anglingtrustcompetitions

2018 5 Nations Championship, Puy-en-Velay, Haut-Loire, France

The 2018 5 Nations Championships took place from 13th-18th June in Puy-en-Velay, Haut-Loire, France. Three teams from France, three from Ireland, two from Scotland and one from England competed.

Programme

Wednesday 13th June: 1st captains’ meeting – Opening Dinner

Thursday 14th June: Practice Day 1 – Morning & Afternoon sessions – 2nd captains’ meeting

Friday 15th June: Practice Day 2 – Morning & Afternoon sessions

Saturday 16th June: Competition Day 1 – Morning & Afternoon sessions

Sunday 17th June: Competition Day 2 – Morning & Afternoon sessions – Prize & Gala Dinner

Monday 18th June: Breakfast

The competition was held on Lac Malaguet in Monlet, Lac Bouchet-Saint-Nicholas (both from drifting boats), Bouchat Ponds in Mazet-Saint-Voy, and the River Loire between Chadron and Goudet.

You will find more information on their Facebook page here

AT Team England FF was represented by Mark Withyman, Simon Kidd, Carl Nixon & Terry Phillips.

The best of luck to everyone involved.

Practice Sessions

Competition Day One

England got off to a good start on the first day, finishing in 4th place behind the three French teams. Mark Withyman won his session on Lake Malaguet from the boats, with Carl Nixon coming 4th on Malaguet and 3rd on Lake Bouchet from the bank. The River Gazeille was a tougher proposition, though, with only Terry Phillips avoiding a blank here.

Competition Day Two

Good performances by Mark Withyman and Simon Kidd, who won their sessions on Lake Bouchet and Lake Malaguet, plus a 2nd place by Carl Nixon on Lake Bouchet, saw England go into the medals, to take 3rd place behind France Red in 1st and France Blue in 2nd.

2017 5 Nations Championship, Clitheroe, Lancs, England

Results:

1. France – 57 Total Placings – 30 Fish – Longest Fish 499.0 – 207500 Fish Points
2. England Red – 65 Total Placings – 25 Fish – Longest Fish 474.0 – 167520 Fish Points
3. Ireland A – 69 Total Placings – 21 Fish – Longest Fish 477.0 – 150020 Fish Points
4. England Blue – 74 Total Placings – 28 Fish – Longest Fish 515.0 – 203040 Fish Points
5. Scotland A – 83 Total Placings – 15 Fish – Longest Fish 480.0 – 110720 Fish Points
6. Ireland B – 91 Total Placings – 16 Fish – Longest Fish 490.0 – 107360 Fish Points
7. Ireland C – 106 Total Placings – 9 Fish – Longest Fish 490.0 – 62680 Fish Points
8. Scotland B – 106 Total Placings – 7 Fish – Longest Fish 485.0 – 58480 Fish Points

Top Individual: Campbell Baird (Ireland A) – 7 Fish – Longest Fish 469.0 – 54200 Fish Points – 8 Placing Points

Full Results: 2017 5N Fly Fishing Championship Results

Jeremy Lucas also covers this event here>>

A 21-minute video courtesy of Troutwatch

AT TEFF would like thank the IV Five Nations Championships sponsor – Cortland Line Co

Controllers required for Five Nations Championship

AT Team England Fly Fishing are inviting volunteers to support the forthcoming 5 Nations Fly Fishing Championships

Stocks Fishery & River Ribble – 19th & 20th July 2017

Boatmen and controllers are required between 08.00-19.00 to control, measure and record fish during boat, bank and river sessions.

£35 per day is payable to cover expenses and lunch is included.

Accommodation is available at Waddow Hall at discounted rates and tickets are available for the gala dinner.

This is an ideal opportunity to watch international fly fishers on our home waters.

To get involved or find out more information please context Paul Page on 07768854849 or email william@wpage.fslife.co.uk or give your details to Ben Dobson at Stocks

Poster: Boatman poster v1

AT TEFF Squad announced for 5 Nations

The Angling Trust reports: Angling Trust Team England Fly Fishing has announced the squad for the IV 5 Nations competition, sponsored by Cortland, which will be held in England from 16th – 21st July 2017.

England will have two teams competing in the event which will be held at Stocks Reservoir and the River Ribble. Teams from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Belgium have also been invited to participate.

Following England’s recent review of their approach to the 5 Nations event, the England teams will contain a blend of anglers with experience of World or European FIPS-Mouche events, anglers with experience of IFFA Home Internationals and younger anglers who are showing potential to succeed in the international arena.

England Blue will be captained by three-time former European team member Tony Baldwin, who will be joined by Mark Withyman and youngsters Tom Gott and Tom Speak.

England Red will be led by the vastly experienced World and European team member Simon Kidd and supported by Carl Nixon, Harry Fox and Tom Bird. Mark Harrison will complete the squad as the official reserve.

England manager Paul Davison  said: “I’m delighted with the squad we have chosen for my first competition as manager. We have a great blend of experienced and up and coming anglers and the 5 Nations event provides us with the opportunity to develop our skill sets in a FIPS-Mouche style competition. The planning and preparation has already begun, Stocks is a venue the team and myself know well and we will be going all out to win the event.”

2017 will be the first time England have hosted this event, Ireland played host in 2015 and 2016 while Scotland hosted the inaugural event in 2013, an event where Team England swept the board claiming team gold and silver while individual honours followed for Robert Brown and Paul Lee as they took gold and bronze respectively. England will be looking to repeat that feat when the nations descend upon Waddow Hall in July.

AT TEFF 5 Nations Policy

This policy statement outlines AT TEFF approach to eligibility and selection of team to represent England in the 5 Nations competition.

The 5 Nations competition presents an opportunity for England to enter multiple teams to compete in an event fished to FIPS-Mouche rules. AT TEFF will use this opportunity to further develop current international anglers and anglers under the age of 30 who are showing potential to go to represent England in European and World teams in the future.

The team(s) will contain a balance of current or past performers in World or European competition, anglers with experience of representing England in Home Internationals river, bank or loch style competitions and young anglers who are showing potential and competing in rivers nationals plus one of either bank or loch style.

Basic minimum eligibility criteria will govern selection to the team(s)

1. Over age of 30

• Must have minimum of 1 cap in either Rivers, Loch Style or Bank Home International plus current competitor in a minimum of one other National (different from the discipline they have achieved a cap).

2. Under age of 30

• Must be competing in Rivers National plus either Loch Style National or Bank National

The 5 Nations manager will nominate team(s) to represent England in the forthcoming 5 Nations competition at the Team England Fly Fishing International Committee meeting at the start of the year. The manager will present the proposed selection to committee for scrutiny and approval.

Anglers selected to represent England in this competition will be awarded a cap however, this cap will not count towards eligibility or consideration for selection to World or European teams.

(Word) at-teff-5-nations-policy

(pdf) at-teff-5-nations-policy

Paul Davison named Team England Five Nations Manager

 The Angling Trust reports: The Angling Trust has announced that experienced international angler Paul Davison has been appointed as the manager of England’s 5 Nations team and will take up the role with immediate effect.

Paul has represented England on 12 occasions, once in FIPS Mouche World Championships, twice in FIPS Mouche European Championships, twice in the Commonwealth, twice in IFFA Rivers and on five occasions in IFFA Loch Style internationals.

Paul will bring a vast amount of expertise to the role and his first task as manager will be to prepare the team to compete in the 5 Nations, a competition England will host in June.

Paul Davison said “I’ve been a serious competition angler for the past 35 years and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve represented my country at most levels and I’m very proud of my achievements with Team England.

“I feel the time is right for me to put something back into a sport that has given me so much joy. I can’t wait to get started and I’m looking forward to helping team and individuals achieve their goals.”

2016 Five Nations Championships

No AT TEFF team was submitted for this event due to a vacant managerial position. England will not host the 2016 competition, The ambition is to submit a team for future competitions.

2015 Five Nations Championships

AT Team England FF finished 4th in the ‘5 Nations Competition’, behind Belgium 1, Ireland 3, and Scotland 1. This event was held at Ballyvourney, Ireland, from 13th to 18th July 2015. 

1. Scotland 1  (115 trout) 53 Team placings 65720 Team points

2. Ireland 3 (104 trout) 70 Team placings 59540 Team points

3. Belgium 1 (85 trout) 73 Team placings 49640 Team points

4. England (86 fish) 75 Team placings 49040 Team points

Individual Gold – Ben Bangham (England) 34 trout 7 Placings 18700 Points 

The Team representing Team England was:

Ben Bangham

Martin Burgess

Andy Cliffe

Jay Curry

Stuart Wardle (Development Coach and Manager) 

The competition was fished to FIPS Mouche rules over 4 sessions on the following venues:

Loch Lein (Boat – 2 sessions)

Gouganebarra Lake (Bank – 1 session)

River Allow (River – 1 session)

Congratulations to Scotland, Ben and the rest of AT Team England. 

Team Manager Stuart Wardle commented: ‘What a great venue. TAFI provided fantastic hospitality, great venues and great fishing to make this a really fantastic competition. AT Team England use the 5 Nations as a development opportunity for developing International anglers and the Team worked hard together to produce a very credible performance finishing only 2 placing points off a podium place. The icing on the cake was Individual Gold for Ben Bangham of Team England, with only 7 placing points it illustrates a very consistent performance from Ben and a credit that is shared amongst all the team and brings some reward back to England.’

‘A BIG thank you goes to the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland (TAFI) for the organisation, the controllers, the clubs and venues and hosts, and also to the Mills Inn for looking after us all so well.’  

Full Report: 5 Nations 2015 Report template for Competitions

2014 Five Nations Championships

Stirling, Scotland, 8th-9th August 

Top 3 Teams:

1.England B 58 fish 47700 fish pts 79 place pts

2. England A 59 fish 46580 fish pts 79 place pts

3. Scotland A 53 fish 45180 fish pts 80 place pts

This competition took place on Friday-Saturday 8th-9th August, and was fished under FIPS-Mouche rules. Programme:  5N Provisional Programme – FINAL The two boat venues were Lake of Menteith and Loch Carron, with the two rivers the Carron and the Devon. Practice waters were the River Clyde and the Endrick Water. The eight anglers representing AT TEFF were: Terry Phillips, Robert Brown, Graham Lumsdon, Tony Fox, Ben Bangham, Paul Lee, Steve Cullen & Harry Fox.

Alan Jenkins, AT TEFF Manager reports: The first ever 5 Nations Fly Fishing Competition proved a great success as part of the Stirling International Angling Festival. The Competition attracted multiple teams from France, Ireland, England, Scotland and one team with competitors from both Belgium and Luxembourg. The event was fished at four venues – the River Carron, the River Devon, Carron Valley Fishery and the Lake of Menteith.

Team England B took Gold with Team England A taking Silver and Team Scotland A collecting a very creditable bronze. The medal team results are here 5N Top 3 Teams 2014

The Individual Gold was won by Robert Brown – England A, with Silver going to Kenny Riddell – Scotland A, and Bronze to Paul Lee – England B. The full individual results are here 5N Leader Board 2014

The success of the event was only made possible by the support from local clubs and fisheries who allowed the use of their waters for both competition and practice. Thanks must also go to the large number of volunteer controllers, officials and sector supervisors, who gave up their time to help make this event such a success. The feedback from the competitors was full of praise for the venues and the enthusiasm and helpfulness of the volunteers.

It has been some time since England Fly Fishing entered two teams A & B to compete in Internationals. A decision to decide who fished in which team wasn’t that difficult as all eight anglers have equal angling abilities. Both teams all agreed from the beginning the only way was to ensure they all shared flies methods and tactics, both teams worked as one with the results showing AT TEFF winning the Gold and Silver medals and Individual Gold and Bronze.

I must say it was an honour and privilege to act as team manager to a great team of anglers, with such talent it bodes well for AT TEFF for future Internationals both at home and World and European championships.

My sincere thanks to SANA and Gillies Breckenridge and all those involved for their assistance in this inaugural International competition.

The event next year will be held in Ireland.