1. Fishing in the competition will be carried out in the spirit of, and with respect for, the traditions of the sport, with fair and honourable sportsmanship.


2. The Competition is open to All members of the EYFA, who must be no older than 18 years of age on the following 1st January.


3. All entrants must wear a Life Jacket and eye protection at all times whilst fishing.


4. The competition will be fished in two three-hour sessions with placing points.


5. Competitors must NOT fish the competition water the day before the final. Competitors may however walk the beats.


6. Catching & Recording
   Catch and release will apply. All fish must be netted and presented to the controllers whilst still in the landing net. At the time of netting, the hook must be in the fish's mouth; if the fly drops out in the net, the fish will still count. The controller and competitor will agree the overall length of the fish in millimetres and the controller will record it on the scorecard. The competitor will carefully return the fish to the river, making sure that it can swim away before releasing it.


7. Matches shall be fished with artificial flies on barbless or de-barbed single hooks. Not more than three flies shall be mounted on a cast.


8. The Fishery rule of No Lure Fishing shall apply


9. Flies may be artificially weighted. Fly irons will measure not more that five-eighths of an inch overall, including the eye.


10. The overall length of the fly shall not exceed fifteen-sixteenths of an inch. Flies may be of any pattern and material and may be fished floating or sunk. Attractor chemicals and the use of light emitters are debarred.


11. .A competitor may use only one rod at a time (maximum length 12 feet) but may have a second ready mounted as a spare.


12. Any manufactured line may be used. Braided leaders, weighted or unweighted, are allowed. Coloured sleeving may be used at the end of the fly line to improve visibility but no other bite indicators are permitted. A 'sacrificial' floating fly is not deemed to be a bite indicator provided it is one of the three permitted flies.


13. Competitors must provide for themselves landing nets made of knotless mesh.


14. Competitors may fish anywhere within their beats provided that they do not approach within 30 metres of another competitor who is fishing.


15. They may fish the same spot for up to 30 minutes. After that, if requested by another competitor, they must move at least 30 metres and may not returns to the spot for at least 30 minutes.


16. Each qualifying fish will score 20 points plus 1 point for each centimetre or part thereof. The minimum size of fish will be 15cm.
    
    For example, a fish of 30.3 centimetres will score 20 plus 31, i.e. 51 fish points.
    
    The scores for the two sessions will be recorded separately. At the end of each session, both the controller and the competitor will sign the scorecard.


17. Competitors from each of the two beats will be 'placed' separately, according to the points they have scored in each of the two sessions, i.e. in each session, the top competitor on each beat will earn a '1 placing', the second a '2 placing' and so on. A blank will earn an '8 placing'.


18. Individuals' placings in the two sessions will be summed and their totals will decide their positions in the competition. The top individual will have the lowest total of 'placings' and so on. A tie will be decided on highest fish points


19. In the case of inclement weather or river conditions, It will be the responsibility of the organiser (Dave Mee) to decide on the day whether the venue will be safe to fish.

Addendum to rules

1. Competitors must bring with them someone who is capable of acting as a controller for another competitor.


2. Controllers cannot wade they may only cross the river at the designated crossing points i.e. bridges. They can and should wear wellingtons or waders


3. Controllers must stay close to the competitor they are supervising; they are responsible for their safety. Failure to do this may result in the disqualification of the competitor the controller has brought to the championships.


4. Running is not allowed, this is to ensure your safety and that of your controller


5. The top boundary is the bottom of the Strid. Competitors cannot fish in the Strid itself.


6. Assistance to the Competition Organisers
   If anyone sees anything which appears to contravene the competition rules, he/she is asked to notify the individual concerned if possible, and to report to the organiser under the procedure set out in the EYFA General Fishing Rules.


7. Any dispute or complaint must be reported to a match official (Dave Mee) within 30 minutes of the end of the match. A sub-committee is to be formed by the organiser and a minimum of two officials of the organisation responsible. They shall adjudicate within one hour. If the sub-committee considers that a competitor has not complied with the rules, it may disqualify. It may also refer the matter for further disciplinary action. In that case, a full report must be made to the appropriate authority within 7 days. A competitor may appeal against a decision to the CEFF, (or Organising Body as appropriate) in writing, within 7 days of being informed of any penalty. Any review must be concluded within 28 days.