EYF

Newsletter Feb 2012

2012-02-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

Click here to read the Feb 2012 Newsletter

Support EYF

2012-02-01T15:52:00.000-08:00

Click here for an EYF supporter form and support England Youth Flyfishing!

Tom Bilson Memorial Match -Pitsford

2011-11-02T05:25:00.000-07:00

EYF Manager and winner, Phil Longstaff recieves the Tom Bilson Shield from Joan Bilson accompanied by EYF Chairman, Chris McLeod and EYF Captain Ryan Worker.

Total FlyFisher's Editor Steve Cullen joined us on our now annual Match - Pictured here, enjoying the BBQ lunch

Tom Bilson Memorial Event 2011 Results
Angler	No of fish	Biggest fish	Total bag
Phil Lonstaff	7		18.4
Ryan Worker	6		16.8
Mike Philpott	7		15.3
Gary Owen	5		13.15
Steve Cullen	5		13.00
Fen Oakley	4	4.3	11.8
Kieran Caulfield	4	4.4	11.3
Dom Sheratte	5		11.00
Paul Gillies	5		10.9
Kieran Bonas	4		10.14
Ashley Cooper	4		9.4
Ashley Gillies	3		8.8
Simon Lehane	4		8.14
Ian Malpass	2	5.6	8.12	Biggest fish
Adam Worker	3		7.2
Mick Stevens	2		4.8
Sam Edmonds	2		4.6
Robbie Turner	1	4.10	4.10
Freddie Kent	2		3.12
Carl Malpass	1		3.10
David Moore	1		2.2
Alex Waddington	1		2.00
Gary How	1		1.9

EYF Rivers National Invitation

2011-09-22T02:21:00.000-07:00

We would like to invite you to the 2011 National Rivers Championship at the Lower Itchen Fishery on Sunday the 27th November. The Final will be used to help select the World team.

Details of the competition, rules and entry forms can be found below.

The Lower Itchen fishery has been kind enough to help and offer their fishery at a massive discount for us on the day. If you would like to practise you will need to contact the fishery.

Day tickets have been arranged the day before the final at £35.

Their contact details can be found on their web site http://www.itchen-fishing.co.uk

Invitation
Entry Form

Risk Assesssment
Rules

Pairs Match at Stocks

2011-09-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

Click here for an entry form.

Summer Newsletter

2011-08-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

Click here to view the latest newsletter.

Lexus Individual Final 2011

2011-08-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Kieran Bonas who finished 2nd in the final of the Lexus Individual Competition at Chew. A great achievement, well done!

Tom Bilson Memorial Trophy

2011-08-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

The third event to be held in memory of Tom Bilson, the founder of England Youth Flyfishing will take place on Sunday 23rd October 2011at Pitsford Reservoir. Please click here for more information.

Captains Day 2011

2011-08-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Please click here for an invitation to Ryan Worker's EYF Captain's Day 2011.

Home International - Menteith

2011-08-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

The England Youth Team headed up to Scotland in good spirits after comfortably winning the two previous internationals. They were greeted with 3 solid days of sunshine and minimal wind……hardly normal weather for this part of the world!

After two days of successful practice, the team were all catching good numbers of fish to straight lined nymphs on either a midge tip line or a straight floater. A pattern quickly developed with regards to key areas on the lake and it was apparent that the match would be won or lost in Gateside bay.

Unfortunately for the England team, the predicted cloud cover for match day didn’t materialise and the fish moved deep in an attempt to get away from the glaring sunshine. This left their previously productive methods floundering and by the time that the lads had adapted, the match was lost. Home advantage proved to be invaluable and the Scottish team ran out as clear winners.

The England lads gave everything that they had on match day and we are all proud of the effort that they put in.

Congratulations must go the Scottish team on an impressive win and also for organising a faultless event.

Rest assured that the England lads will re-group and do everything that they can to take gold in Ireland.

England caught a total of 41 fish for 97lb 0.2oz, the heaviest English Bag went to Oliver Avis with 8 fish for 17lb 11.6oz and the heaviest English Fish was caught by Adam Worker which was 4lb.

Phil Longstaff
England Youth Team Manager

EYF Team Announced For The 2011 World Flyfishing Championships

2011-06-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

The England Youth Fly Fishing team is all set for the World Angling Championships in Italy next month and aiming to beat their best recent result abroad of a bronze in USA 2007.

Dave Mee, Team Manager said “The teenage team is undaunted by the challenge of competing against the other countries. We know it will be tough to beat the host nation Italy on the Tuscany Rivers and the ever consistent Czechs. The Tevere tail waters are both challenging and quite different from anything in England.”
EYF World Team Captain Rob Thomas added “We have been practising hard for the past year, but it will still be a big test fishing a strange river under International rules as we don’t get much time to practice before the competition day.”

The 2009 EYF Captain, and now the team’s Coach and mentor, Lisa Isles added “The team have developed and honed their skills with EYF, both at home, and abroad in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The World Angling Games this year present a fantastic opportunity to fish and represent England as well as making lifelong friends around the World. It will be an awesome experience for all.”

The EYF team will be competing as part of the Angling Trust’s Team England for the first time and one of over 20 teams competing in the Coarse, Sea and Fly Fishing World Championships all taking place at various locations in Italy this summer.

The full team will consist of:
Rob Thomas from Kent
Tom Gott from Yorkshire
Carl Malpass from County Durham
Oliver Avis from Manchester
James Atkinson from Lancashire

You can follow the team’s performance on Facebook at England Youth Fly Fishing World Championships. Also the Youth Team fishing in the Home International in Scotland both in July on www.eyfa.co.uk.

Voucher for Bewl Water

2011-06-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

EYF has been donated a voucher for one motor boat and two day permits to the value of £69 on Bewl Water, this must be used by November 2011. If anyone would like to make a donation to England Youth Flyfishing in exchange for the voucher please contact bobbie.worker@eyfa.co.uk or phone 07944 405890.

Stocks Reservoir 18th-19th June 2011

2011-06-20T17:59:00.001-07:00

James Atkinson with a magnificent 9lb blue trout caught at Stocks Reservoir. James caught the fish during an EYF practice day on a cat booby.

England Youth National Qualifier 2011

2011-06-15T03:21:00.001-07:00

Anglian Water Airflo International

2011-06-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the England Youth Northern Team who was successful in making the next round in the Anglian Water Airflo International Northern Heat at Stocks Reservior on 11 June 2011. The team consisted of Carl Malpass, Tom Gott, Ryan Matthews, James Atkinson, John Mackintosh & Oliver Avis. Well done boys and good luck in the Northern Final.

Anglian Water Airflo International

2011-06-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

Well done to all the England Youth Anglia Team who finished 2nd in the Anglain Water Airflo International Midland Heat at Grafham Water on 4 June 2011. The team consisted of Ryan Worker, Kieran Bonas, Adam Worker, Ashley Gillies, Oscar Boatfield & Fen Oakley, they caught 31 fish.

The next round will be the Midland Final on 18 July 2011.

The England Youth North Team fish in the same competition in the Northern Heat at Stocks Reservoir on 11 June 2011, good luck boys.

EYF National Results 30th May 2011

2011-05-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

Name		Best Fish		Bag Weight				Total Weight
	No. Of Fish	lb	oz	lb	oz	Time Finished	Bonus In lbs	lb	oz
Ryan Matthews	8	2	12	16	8 ¼	14:10	5 1/2	22	1/4
Adam Worker	8	2	4	15	8 3/8	16:20	1	16	8 3/8
Kieran Bonas	8	3	3	14	13 ¾	16:21	1	15	13 ¾
Dom Sheratte	6	3	3 ¼	11	11 ¼	17:00	0	11	11 ¼
Oscar Boatfield	4	3	3 ¾	9	15 ¼	17:00	0	9	15 ¼
Ashley Gillies	5	2	10	8	14 7/8	17:00	0	8	14 7/8
Fen Oakley	4	2	2 3/8	7	6 ¼	17:00	0	7	6 ¼
Jack Shelley	3	3	2 ¾	7	6 1/8	17:00	0	7	6 1/8
Oliver Avis	3	2	8 1/8	6	12 ¼	17:00	0	6	12 ¼
Christopher Crowther	3	3	1	6	6 7/8	17:00	0	6	6 7/8
Alex Waddington	3	2	6 7/8	6	1/8	17:00	0	6	1/8
Freddie Kent	4	1	11	5	8 ½	17:00	0	5	8 ½
James Atkinson	2	3	1/8	5	4 1/8	17:00	0	5	4 1/8
Tom Heywood	3	1	13	5	1 5/8	17:00	0	5	1 5/8
Robbie Turner	3	1	10 ¼	4	8 ½	17:00	0	4	8 ½
John Mackintosh	1	2	3 ¼	2	3 ¼	17:00	0	2	3 ¼
Tristan Tanner	1	2	0	2	0	17:00	0	2	0
Callum Smalley	1	1	14	1	14	17:00	0	1	14
Ben Brooke	1	1	11 1/8	1	11 1/8	17:00	0	1	11 1/8
Sam Edmonds	1	1	10 1/4	1	10 1/4	17:00	0	1	10 1/4

With the top ten places qualifying to represent England at next years International on Lough Owel, the National taking place at Grafham Water was won by Ryan Matthews. Well done to all those who took part - especially as every angler caught fish.

Total No. of Fish Caught: 72
Rod Average: 3.60
Best Fish: Oscar Boatfield 3lb 3 ¾ oz
Top Rod: Ryan Matthews 22lb 1/4oz

2011-05-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Download a copy of our January 2011 newsletter here.

National Qualifier boat draw for Monday 30th May 2011

2011-05-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is the draw for boat partners for the Youth National Championships on 30 May 2011
The angler drawn first will take command of the boat for the first 1 hour 45 minutes and then command will change each 1 hour 45 minutes or as mutually agreed.

Dominic Sheratte - Ashley Gillies
Adam Worker - Tom Heywood
Fen Oakley - Robbie Turner
Kieran Bonas - Tristan Tanner
Oliver Avis - Ryan Matthews
Oscar Boatfield - Callum Smalley
Sam Edmonds - Freddie Kent
James Atkinson - Alex Waddington
Christopher Crowthe - Ben Brooke
Jack Shelley - John Mackintosh

Training at Ravensthorpe on 15th May 2011

2011-05-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

Oliver Avis

Oliver Avis and Matt Willatt

Ben Brooke & Gary How

Fen Oakley

Jack Shelley & Gary Owen

Ryan Worker

Kieran Bonas

Youth Home International 2011

2011-05-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

The Youth Home Flyfishing International for 2011 will take place from at Lake of Menteith in Scotland from 24th to 28th July 2011. Good luck Team England!

2011-05-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.inlinelogistics.com/

Farmoor 30 April 2011

2011-05-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Fen Oakley

Ryan Worker

Ryan Worker

Sam Edmonds

Ashley Gillies

Tom Heywood

Mick Whittle

Owen Whittle

Gary How

Oliver Avis

Roger Woodhams

Nudge Oakley

Gary Edmonds

Fen Oakley

Rob Thomas

Owen Whittle receiving his prize from Bernard Cribbens

Fen Oakley receiving his prize from Bernard Cribbens

Adam Worker receiving his prize from Bernard Cribbens

Kieran Bonas receiving his prize from Bernard Cribbens

2011-05-05T23:57:00.000-07:00

Huge thanks go to JR Roofing (Hitchin) Ltd who for the 2nd year running donated £1000 to England Youth Flyfishing. The 2011 Loch Style Captain Ryan Worker accepted a cheque from Roger Woodhams of JR Roofing (Hitchin) Ltd in the presence of Bernard Cribbens at Farmoor Reservoir. Thank you so much J R Roofing!

If anyone else can offer any kind of sponsorship we would be extremely grateful, you can contact Bobbie Worker on 07944 405890 or email bobbie.worker@eyfa.co.uk Each donation directly helps towards the cost of the International competitions.

Thames Water Shield at Farmoor Reservoir -30/04/11

2011-05-02T23:13:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who attended the Thames Water Shield at Farmoor Reservoir on Saturday 30 April 2011. Conditions were difficult with a strong wind and bright sunshine but fishing was magnificent again this year (for some anyway!). The first fish was caught by Dom Sheratte in his first cast and the first full bag was brought back to the lodge within 2 hours by Kieran Bonas. Kieran went on to win the Thames Water Shield well done Kieran!

The Peter Stone Tropy for the biggest bag by an under 16 year old was won by Adam Worker, well done Adam!

Two methods seemed to be working well, a Cat Whisker booby on a sinking line or buzzers on floating lines.

An auction of fishing tackle followed the buffet and prize giving and was kindly hosted by Bernard Cribbens.

A big thank you to Masterline Walker, Thames Water and Farmoor Reservoir for sponsoring this event which raised a fantastic £1052 to help this years International team costs.

International at Grafham Water 2010

2011-05-02T14:30:00.001-07:00

2009 Youth International in Llandegfedd

2011-05-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

2008 Youth International at Lough Conn Ireland

2011-05-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

2007 Youth International at Lake of Menteith Scotland

2011-05-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

Lexus Individual Championships 2011

2011-04-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Kieran Bonas on 'winning' the Rutland heat of the Lexus Individual Championships with a total bag weight including time bonus of 21lb 3oz. Kieran earns his place in the Grand Final at Chew. Well done Kieran!

EYF v Prison Service Challenge Match

2011-04-05T12:53:00.001-07:00

Three teams took part in this annual challenge match on 3 April 2011 at Grafham Water. The results were:

EYF A Team - Total bag weight including time bonus 87lb 7oz

(Ryan Worker, Phil Longstaff, Rob Thomas, Chris McLeod, James Atkinson, Oliver Avis, Dom Sheratte & Sam Edmonds)

EYF B Team - Total bag weight including time bonus 71lb 11oz

(Kieran Bonas, Carl Nixon, Rob Edmunds, Adam Worker, Ashley Gillies, Gary How, Fen Oakley & Jack Shelley)

Prison Service Team - Total bag weight 39lb 13oz

(Gary Pearson, Gordon Green, Dave Hild, Pete Johnson, Alan Riddell, Alan Pearce, Dave Hickman & John Sheridan

Welcome & Development Day Roundup

2011-04-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

There was a fantastic turnout for our first event of the season. Team members had their first training session and non team members came to learn new skills and brush up on technniques. Those attending the 'Development Day' learned how to gut a fish, found out what makes trout tick and saw exactly what the fish had been eating. The day was a great success with many youths catching fish. The next 'Development Day' will be held at Stocks Reservoir on 18th June 2011, for more information contact bobbie.worker@eyfa.co.uk

Congratulations to successful youth Ryan Matthews

2011-03-28T00:10:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Ryan Matthews and his Dad Peter on winning the 2011 Greys Pairs Match with a total bag weight of 34lb 12oz. Well done boys! Full report available at http://www.stocksreservoir.com/reports/ (Sunday 20th March 2011)

EYF on Sky Sports

2011-03-05T05:00:00.001-08:00

Watch the video here.

Team Area

2011-03-05T03:44:00.000-08:00

Menteith Flies

Youth International- Grafham Water 27 July 2010

2011-03-05T03:37:00.000-08:00

England Win Gold

England Youth Team led by their mercurial manager Rob Edmunds and coach Phil Longstaff romped to a victory in the Youth International held at Grafham Water on 28 July 2010, putting a staggering 50lb of fish between them and second placed Ireland. Seen by many as a controversial choice of England Youth Team manager a couple of years ago, ‘Major’ Edmunds has now led his troops from the front on two consecutive occasions. Say what you may, the man is an out and out winner second place does not exist in the land of Rob Edmunds. Make no mistake the team members love him and I’m pretty sure if he could put on a pair of short trousers and get away with it he’d be out on the water fishing alongside them. England’s winning match plan was quite straightforward. If you have control of the boat fish P,R and M Buoys with a Di3, long leaders and two flies, a Cocktail Blob Booby and a Pink Blob Booby and strip them back quickly. “We knew through practice the fish were holding around the four feet mark and looking up,” said coach Phil Longstaff. “And we found them in areas the rest of the teams seemed to be ignoring, they seemed to be concentrating their efforts in and around Savages Creek. However, it was the team member John ‘Spanner’ Mackintosh who really cracked it. John found fish between 60-100 yards off the Seat and although he mentioned the fact during the team meeting before the match, his was the only boat fishing the area and did he make it pay. Having fresh water in front of him John had his eight fish into the boat by 14.15 winning the Heaviest Basket and the Biggest Fish trophies. A mention must go Team Ireland who, with only one day of practice, managed to beat both Scotland and Wales into second place, a fabulous effort. An a mention for the England team manager Rob Edmunds and coach Phil Longstaff who not only coached the youngsters brilliantly but also offered superb motivation and support opening up all their vast experience (and flyboxes) to the team. To conclude, there was a dramatic example of fishing a competition out to its finish. Strangely, several boats were seen to motor back into the Grafham harbour before the finish of the competition, which, for an International, is rather an odd thing to do. England’s Matthew Holroyd demonstrated the need to fish out a match to its conclusion taking his eighth fish in front of the harbour at 16.57 three minutes before the official finish time. Tight, but completely legal. Congratulations to Matthew and to Graham Pearson his boatman who delivered both his charges back to the pontoon by 17.00. England Youth captain Matthew Kidd made a very eloquent speech during the presentation dinner thanking EYFA secretary Bobbie Worker for her splendid organisation of the event, a sentiment that was repeated by almost every speaker.

Results:
1. England 63 fish for 121lb 3/4oz
2. Ireland 39 fish for 70lb 123/4oz
3. Scotland 31 fish for 60lb 13/8oz
4. Wales 19 fish for 34lb 43/4oz

Heaviest Basket: John Mackintosh, England 21lb 43/4oz
Best Fish: Stuart Crockett, Scotland 3lb 81/2oz
Top English Rod: John Mackintosh 21lb 43/4oz
Top Irish Rod: Harry McAteer 11lb 15/8oz
Top Scottish Rod: James Fairlie 13lb 81/4oz
Top Welsh Rod: Jamie Phillips 5lb 133/4oz
Best fish England: John Mackintosh 3lb 11/8oz
Best Fish Ireland: Christopher Kelly 2lb 123/4oz
Best Fish Scotland: Stuart Crockett 3lb 81/2oz
Best Fish Wales: Dafydd Davies 2lb 101/8oz

Statistics:
Number of fish caught: 152
Rod Average: 2.71

Loch Style

2011-03-03T18:05:00.001-08:00

Teams

2011-03-03T17:45:00.001-08:00

England Youth World Team

Rob Thomas (Captain)
Carl Malpass
James Atkinson
Oliver Avis
Tom Gott
Oscar Boatfield

England Youth Lochstyle Team

Ryan Worker (Captain)
Kieran Bonas (Vice Captain)
Dom Sheratte
Oscar Boatfield
Adam Worker
Ashley Gillies
Ben Brooke
Fen Oakley
Jack Shelley
James Atkinson
John Mackintosh
Oliver Avis
Ryan Matthews
Sam Edmonds
Callum Smalley (Reserve)

Committee

2011-03-03T17:44:00.001-08:00

President, Mike Childs
Vice Presidents, Mick Stevens & Alastair Smith
Chairman, Chris McLeod
Vice Chairman (Lochs), Kieran Caulfield
Vice Chairman (Rivers), Dr Mark Thomas
Secretary, Bobbie Worker
Treasurer, Jan Malpass
Loch Team Manager, Phil Longstaff
Loch Team Coach, Carl Nixon
Rivers/World Team Manager, Dave Mee
Rivers/World Team Coach, Lisa Isles
Website, Matt Willatt
Membership Secretary, Roz Fenton
General Committee, Mick Whittle, Gary How, John Thomson

Links

2011-03-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

Youth International 2009

2011-03-02T03:39:00.000-08:00

The 2009 International was held at Llandegfedd, where the first challenge between England and Wales was held 25 years ago. England Youth Team Manager Rob Edmunds carries on the story...We arrived in Wales on Wednesday night, meaning that we had two full days of practice to find methods that suited our team. We then knew we had to adapt the methods to suit each angler in the team, as we have a varying range of ability.
The reservoir was divided into 4 quarters with boats being sent to each area, their brief was to try a variety of methods and cover all the water in the area; we reasoned that it was just as important to work out what methods didn't work, as finding those that did.
On arrival at Llandegfedd is was quite obvious that the fish were going to be high in the water...we were greeted with an almost flat calm and literally hundred's of rising fish!
Day one practice saw the team catch an a variety of methods, from pulling Orange Blobs on a Di-3, to Dries on a floater, however it soon became clear that best methods were Black and Claret Hoppers on a floating line, fished static for 10-15 seconds then slowly figure of eighted back subsurface, or small eyed Boobies on a intermediate, again fished with a slow figure of eight retrieve.
Day two practice saw the whole team try both methods for half a day, in an effort to build up confidence in both styles and to get a better feel of where the main concentrations of fish were holding.
On the evening before the match we had a quick debriefing session; we all agreed that there were two main methods, dries on the floater, or, Boobies on the intermediate, no area was very difficult, we had caught well over the entire reservoir. However, practice had shown us that with the fish being so high in the water they were easily spooked and became very wary of boats after one or two drifts through them. Therefore we reasoned that finding fresh water was essential. A evening of tying ensued ensuring that each angler had an identical selection of flies to those that we had been catching on.
Match day saw the boats start in two main areas, the Dam and the Cages, however, they soon started to disperse. My brief to the lads was simply to start on the method they felt most confident in, and, the area they thought best. Then as the match progressed change methods when they saw fit.
Weigh-in saw all our team with consistant bags of between four and six fish with no blanks, an excellent team performance in my opinion, regardless of the result. A quick count up revealed we had 73 fish (8 more than the Scottish team) who had also fished well.
Eventually the results were read out.....Wales 4th.....Ireland 3rd....Scotland 2nd.....England 1st.
try to instill into the team that, although we had distinct methods and area's worked out, conditions change. This means that they must adapt to keep catching. It's for this reason that I don't insist they fish a particular method, I merely give recommendations, I have confidence in their ability and so should they.
‘Although it was the good ‘average‘ bags of four to six fish that secured us this memorable victory, there were also some fine individual performances.
Kireon Jenkins of Wales won the Brown Bowl (top individual in the match) with 17 fish, in his last year in the Welsh Youth Team (due to age), his performance, catching fish mostly with a small Cat's Whisker Booby on a Slow Glass line, was simply head and shoulders above the rest of the field, proving once again that he is going to be a serious contender at senior level and in my opinion a future world champion (remember where you heard it first!)
Kireon Bonas was the English top rod with 9 fish all caught by fishing Dries through the middle of the reservoir, an excellent performance especially when you consider that this was his first international. He was closely followed by Dom Sherette with 8 fish (also fishing his first International who also caught all his fish on Dries) and Matthew Holdroyd also with 8 fish.
These fine individual performances by some of our youngest anglers are very encouraging for the future and I feel that with continued practice over next season we should once again challenge for the top honours at the International at our home venue of Grafham Water in 2010.

Rob Edmunds
England Youth Team Manager

History

2011-01-03T17:57:00.000-08:00

Youth International competitive fly fishing started in 1985 after Moc Morgan OBE, the well known and respected Welsh TV personality and angler, issued a challenge to Tom Bilson the senior's International President and one of the founders of the Confederation of English Fly Fishers to select a team of 10 youngsters to compete against a Welsh team on Llandegfedd reservoir. Russell Owen, the 1993 World Fly fishing Champion was a member of that Welsh team. Wales won the match but Henry Bannerman of England was top rod.

In 1986 the Welsh were invited to fish against an English team on Chew Valley. The English team was, for the first time, selected at a National competition on Chew organised by Tom Bilson. The winner of this first English National competition was Jeremy Herrman now a long standing member of the English senior international and world teams and 1995 World Champion.

Tom Bilson received initial help in setting up the England Youth Fly Fishing Association (EYFA) from many well known anglers including Bob Church, Chris Ogbourne and Geoff Clarkson who recently received an MBE for his services to the sport in the Queens Birthday Honours list, all of whom formed the first committee. In 1987 Scotland entered the fray for the first time in an International competition fished on Llyn Brenig where Wales completed a hat trick of wins. 1988 saw England's first win in the competition with Dave Shipman coaching the team to success on Rutland water. In 1989 Graham Smith, an England senior international became team manager, his daughter Kelly, up to that time the only girl to represent England Youth won the 1988 youth national at Pitsford. Kelly subsequently fished for the team in 89 and 90. In the same year Tom Bilson was made life president of the Association in recognition of his services to Youth fly fishing. Tom has been involved with fly fishing for many years having been a senior international and team manager of the senior team, chairman of the Confederation of English Fly fishers (C.E.F.F.) and organiser, along with Tony Pawson, of the 1987 World Fly fishing championships in England.

1992 bought a new constitution to the E.Y.F.A. under the guidance of a new committee headed by chairman David Prior a head teacher with Graham Pearson, a senior international, as secretary and his wife Rosemary as treasurer. Under their guidance fund raising efforts were re-doubled. Team members were encouraged to raise funds by undertaking sponsored events and sponsors have come forward with much needed assistance.

Mick Stevens, from Northampton, another Senior International and senior team Captain took on the team coach’s duties in 1989 and the job of team manager in 1991 since when the team, under his excellent leadership has recorded wins in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997.

Dave Haseltine took over as team manager in 2002 and helped the team to win on Rutland in the same year.In 1993, with the international being held on Llyn Trawsfynydd in Wales, Ireland joined the competition to make the Home international tournament complete.

Over the years the number in the teams has increased, from 1996 each team comprised 14 anglers with the top 12 rods counting. Inviting the top ten rods from the previous year’s national competition to join the top four England rods from the previous years International (age permitting) forms the England team. Competitors for the National competition must be over 12 on the date of the national competition and under 17 on the 1st. August that year.

In 1995 the E.Y.F.A. together with the England Ladies and Disabled Associations were invited to become associate members of the Confederation of English Fly Fishers thus unifying all four of the representative bodies in a major step forward in the administration of competitive fly fishing. The Association is also a member of the Salmon & Trout Association and the Anglers Conservation association.

1996, saw the International taking place on Lough Owel in Ireland for the first time on the 14th. August followed by the presentation dinner at which all of the teams exchange mementoes of the occasion and receive their trophies. England again won as they did on Trawsfynydd in Wales in 1997. One of the major aims of the committee is that no young angler should have to pay to represent his country. To this end considerable effort is made to raise funds throughout the year. Masterline, now Masterline International, have, for several years, given each of the International team members a full set of lines, waistcoats and tackle and regularly provide prizes both for our raffles and competitions.

The E.Y.F.A. committee perceives it's role as educational, aiming to inform youngsters about the environment, conservation and ethics in competitive angling.

The INAUGURAL WORLD YOUTH FLYFISHING CHAMPIONSHIPS took place in Wales from the 9th to the 14th August 1998, England entered two very strong teams who won Bronze and 4th places as well as a Silver Individual medal for Chris Watson from Northumberland. In 1999 we again entered two teams for the Youth World Championships in Ireland where we took Gold and Silver team medals.
In 2003 Lisa Isles, another girl qualified for England and was a member of the Gold winning team. Lisa held her place in subsequent internationals and was captain of the EYFA World Championship team which won bronze medals in USA 2007.

Several EYFA team members have progressed to the senior team and in 2007 Joel Beeney, one of the successful Juniors in the World Championships went on to win the Senior Individual Championship later the same year.

With the cost of a days boat fishing on one of our major reservoirs for father and one offspring running at about £ 40.00 and bearing in mind the need for two complete sets of tackle, licences and so on I suppose it is inevitable that youth participation in fly fishing should be less than in other branches of the sport.

On the positive side, however, we have organisations like Anglian water offering “Kids Go Free” (12-17 years old) when accompanied by a full paying adult, a whole days casting and fly fishing instruction for £20.00 (Juniors, £30.00 adults) with professionally qualified instructors of the highest standard. For the first time in '98 the Salmon & Trout Association ran a series of Youth Training days, assisted by Guide Flyfishing and Redington rods. This has proved extremely successful and still continues introducing up to 3,000 youngsters a year to the sport.

Many clubs run active junior sections, Wansbeck Angling Association in Northumberland, who send a large contingent all the way to the Youth National, organise their own junior competition on Kielder Water. The Bristol Water company organises a junior match on Chew Valley lake in May which is regularly attended by more than 50 young anglers mostly from the South West but with several from the national team who do very well.

In 1996 the Scottish Youth team received major sponsorship from the Bank of Scotland which continued for three years. The England team would welcome a similar major sponsor who can contact me.An entry list of more than 70 anglers for the '97 national competition of which 68 actually fished also gave rise to an apparent increase in interest from sponsors and the media. We received extensive coverage on Anglia T.V sports news and filmed a news feature for East Midlands B.B.C.

For the first time in 1998 the England Youth Flyfishing Association entered a team for the inaugural Youth World Championships, which took place in Wales from the 9th. to the 14th. of August where we won a Bronze Team medal and Silver Individual. In 1999 at the Youth World Championships in Ireland we took team Gold and Silver medals.

The year 2000 World Championship event scheduled to take place in Canada was sadly cancelled by the organisers. Realistically England are unlikely to be able to put together a bid for future Youth World Championships without Lottery (Sports Council) support which is unlikely to be forthcoming without a change of attitude to angling by the Sports Council/p>

The England Youth teams are drawn from a pool of age qualified candidates who have previously represented England at either World or International level. These candidates are currently invited to fish a two stage eliminator to Fips Mouche rules from which the top rods are invited to take part in the World Team.

Calendar of Events

2010-08-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

EYF

Newsletter Feb 2012

Support EYF

Tom Bilson Memorial Match -Pitsford

EYF Rivers National Invitation

Pairs Match at Stocks

Summer Newsletter

Lexus Individual Final 2011

Tom Bilson Memorial Trophy

Captains Day 2011

Home International - Menteith

EYF Team Announced For The 2011 World Flyfishing Championships

Voucher for Bewl Water

Stocks Reservoir 18th-19th June 2011

England Youth National Qualifier 2011

Anglian Water Airflo International

Anglian Water Airflo International

EYF National Results 30th May 2011

Newsletter

National Qualifier boat draw for Monday 30th May 2011

Training at Ravensthorpe on 15th May 2011

Youth Home International 2011

Farmoor 30 April 2011

Thames Water Shield at Farmoor Reservoir -30/04/11

International at Grafham Water 2010

2009 Youth International in Llandegfedd

2008 Youth International at Lough Conn Ireland

2007 Youth International at Lake of Menteith Scotland

Lexus Individual Championships 2011

EYF v Prison Service Challenge Match

Welcome & Development Day Roundup

Congratulations to successful youth Ryan Matthews

EYF on Sky Sports

Team Area

Youth International- Grafham Water 27 July 2010

Loch Style

Sponsors

Teams

Committee

Links

Youth International 2009

History

Calendar of Events