AT-TEFF Elite Performance Programme

When is it?

Event 1

Venue: River Annan, Hoddam

Date: 10^th & 11th^th July 2026

Hours: 8am briefing (fishing 08.30am > 18.30pm)

Practise cutoff date: 9^th July on designated practice water. 19^th June on Match stretch.

Event organiser: Scott Nellins

Event 2

Venue: River Tees

Date: 12^th & 13^th July 2026

Hours: 7:30am briefing (fishing 08:30am > 18:30pm)

Practise cutoff date: 11^th July on designated practice water. 22^nd June on Match stretch.

Event organiser: Scott Nellins

Event 3

Venue: Ladybower Reservoir,

Date: 8^th May 2027

Hours: 8.30am briefing (fishing 09.00am > 16.00pm)

Practise cutoff date: 17^th April

Event organiser: Scott Nellins

Event 4

Venue: Press Manor Fishing Lakes

Date: 9^th May 2027

Hours: 8am briefing (fishing 09.00am > 16.00pm)

Practise cutoff date: 18th April

Event organiser: Scott Nellins

River event format:

2 x 2-day event will be fished over 1 weekend.

2 equal groups of anglers (Group A & B), matches fished to catch, measure & release.

Day 1- Group A anglers fish the am sessions & Group B fish the pm sessions. 60 mins per peg.

Angling Trust Team England Fly Fishing (AT TEFF) Elite Performance Programme 2026

Day 2 – as above but Group B anglers’ fish am and Group A fish pm.

Number of River results: 3 sets of event scores

Bank lake event format:

1 x 1-day event.

1 groups of anglers (Group A & B), matches fished to catch & release with points structure of –

1 point per fish ( max 5 fish on a peg )

1 point per peg that a fish is caught from.

i.e 1 fish from a peg scores 2 points, with 5 fish scoring 6 points.

40 mins per peg

Lake Event

2 x 3hr sessions – 9am – 12pm & 1pm – 4pm.

All 16 anglers in 1 group.

Combined scores over the 2 sessions give 1 cumulative score.

Fish measured by competitor, approved by boat partner.

How have the EPP event venues been selected?

Venues for the events are representative of those used for the forthcoming World & European Championships.

What is the EPP entry fee?

The entry fee for the programme is £120, this will be payable through the AT events website when entries open. In addition to the entry fee there are fishing fees to pay per event, these costs are variable depending on the venue.

Anglers entering the EPP will also need a valid EA rod license and AT membership subscription.

Who is eligible to enter the EPP?

The EPP will be open to active Angling Trust members meeting the following criteria;

1. Previous EPP entrants
2. At least 2 X international caps (any discipline)
3. At least 1 X international caps (any discipline) and a member of a current international team*
4. At least 1 x International River Cap + 1 Top 15 finish in a River National in the last 7 years (2019 inclusive)

*Failure to compete in forthcoming International will result in eligibility to league being revoked

If the EPP is over-subscribed, invites will be awarded on the following basis.

1. Previous EPP entrants
2. Based on a ranking system where caps (past or current) are awarded points based on a system which reflects the dominance of river sessions at the World and European Championships (1 point for 5Nations, Loch Style and Stillwater Bank, 3 Points for rivers, 5 points for World or European). For example, angler A has two loch style caps resulting in 2 points total, where angler B has a bank cap and a river cap resulting in 4 points total and would therefore be offered a place in the EPP ahead on angler A.
3. If there are EPP applicants tied on points as a result of the ranking system, preference will be given to the angler with the highest number of River, World and European caps (summed together). Ranking positions still tied after that will be ranked based on total number of caps (past and current) followed by most recent cap. No further relevant ranking can be applied after this stage and a random draw would be used if further rationalisation is needed.

How do I enter the EPP?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, please fill in an application form and send it to the email address on the form by the closing date. Once the applications closure date is reached the organiser’s will contact all applicants to let them know whether their application into the EPP has been successful or not. Successful applicants will then be able to enter and pay for their entry via the AT events website.

The deadline for applications into the EPP is 12^th June 2026 & payment is 19^th June 2026.

Selection for 2026/7

Due to significant costs of the 2026 World Championships, due to be held in USA there is a general feeling that the cost of this event will prohibit many from competing. As a result, the 2026 will see a distinct change in the qualifying structure going forward.

Anglers will have the opportunity to ‘opt in’ for consideration for the 2026 World Championship team but will also be fishing for the right to be selected in one of the 2027 teams too.

Going forward, the EPP will help form the team 2 years in advance, giving more time for that team to fundraise and arrange practice trips on match water.

We will be using EPP 2028 to select teams for –

Placing 1 – 5*          2028 World Championships

Placing 6 – 10            2028 European Championships

*Ongoing, the World and European managers will have the option to select a team of 5 for their squad from the top 10 of the league. This is an option only, and not something that is compulsory. Determine factors for selection will include without limitation, experience in previous Championships or experience on Championship venues.

The appointed team managers will review the proposed teams and in co-operation with the anglers confirm the squads. Where it is deemed appropriate to take a traveling reserve anglers finishing in 11^th and 12^th position will be invited. The World manager can also choose to invite an angler finishing in positions 6 – 10 to be the travelling reserve for World team in place of the angler finishing 11^th or 12^th. This angler, competing as World Travelling reserve can also still take up their place as a fishing angler in the same year’s European Squad should they wish.

Anglers travelling to either the World or 5N championships will either be fully self-funded or partially self-funded with support from AT TEFF grants subject to finances. Therefore, there is an expectation that anglers will need to undertake some form of fund raising prior to the championships, this will be made clear to anglers as part of the EPP application process.

What are the EPP rules?

1. Anglers failing to attend the qualifying events will be immediately excluded from EPP competition for the remainder of the current year and following as well as not being considered for any teams for the following year. This still applies even if that angler finishes in one of the qualifying positions.
2. Anglers must meet the eligibility criteria.
3. Fished to the FIPS-Mouche rules active at the start of each event. Rules modifications may be applied by the organisers and will be announced at least 24 hours before each event.
4. Yellow & Red card system operated for conduct and behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour or conduct from anglers within the Elite Performance Squad while participating in any AT TEFF event may result in a 1-year ban.
5. No practice is permitted on event venues in the 2 weeks period prior to the event, this includes requesting family members or friends to practice on behalf of EPP anglers.
6. All fish (excluding Salmon) over 18cm will count. This may be changed on lake sessions subject to location.
7. Manufactured Barbless hooks only.
8. Use of mobile phones are not allowed for communication during or between sessions but may be carried for emergencies or to capture evidence of wrongdoing.
9. Any complaints must be supported by digital evidence or witnessed by an official
10. Anglers who missing an event will be awarded the maximum 16 points for that event.
11. When anglers are acting as a controller they must stay on their allocated peg and not give anglers fishing their or adjacent pegs any advice or material support during the event.
12. Anglers breaking the rules will be penalised in line with FIPS-Mouche rules. Significant and/or repeat infringements may result in the angler being disqualified from the league
13. All events are strictly catch and release
14. Use of mobile phones are not allowed for communication during or between sessions but may be carried for emergencies
15. Any complaints must be supported by digital evidence.
16. When anglers are acting as a controller they must stay on their allocated peg and not give anglers fishing their or adjacent pegs any advice or material support during the event.
17. Anglers breaking the rules will be penalised in line with FIPS-Mouche rules. Significant and/or repeat infringements may result in the angler being disqualified from the league.
18. A live facebook draw will take place at least 72 hours prior to the match day.

How are the EPP events scored?
1. All anglers fish all pegged beats in their group for River events.

2. For catch, measure and release events (River).

a. At the end of a session fish points will be totalled to give to give Session Fish Points.

b. Session Fish Points will create session placing Points i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points etc.

c. The total number of session points is then used to determine the angler’s position in their group.

d. Where multiple groups are used, group positions are merged and ranked 1-16 to identify event positions.

e. All anglers tied in session, group and event places will be ranked based on fish points. Anglers still tied following this all be awarded the same score based on the lowest position for example anglers tied in first with the same number of points and fish points will both be awarded 1 point, the next placed angler would be awarded 3 points.

3. For catch and release events (Lake)

a. Each fish caught and unique peg a fish is caught on earns the angler 1 session point. The angler in each group with the most points wins the session for their group.

b. 8 scoring sessions per event to determine anglers’ position in their group

c. Group positions are merged and ranked 1-16 to identify event positions.

d. All anglers tied in session, group and event places will be ranked based on number offish caught. Anglers still tied following this all be awarded the same score based on the lowest position for example anglers tied in first with the same number of points and fish will both be awarded 1 point, the next placed angler would be awarded 3 points.