Angling Trust Team England Lure Squad Selection Assessment/Trials for 2014

This year’s 7th Carnivorous Artificial Bait Boat World Championship’s is to be held on the 11,000 acre glacial lake of Lake Bourget in South Eastern France, where the town of Aix-Les-Bains will play host to this influential and growing angling event. The Rhones alps provide for an unforgettable backdrop to these waters, and the historic city of Geneva is just 40 miles away.

Lake Bourget is the deepest lake contained entirely in France with average depths of 85 m to a massive 145 m at its deepest, where competitors will face challenging conditions in targeting the lakes monster sized pike along with zander, perch and even arctic charr. With a proven history of some remarkably sized fish, this venue looks perfect for the UK styles of lure fishing. 

Following on from last year’s first entrance into these World Championships, Team England have launched a number of team assessments/trials events to select the squad that will represent the nation in France. In order to select the strongest team possible, a number of 2-day heats have been arranged, from which the Top 8 individual anglers from each heat will receive an automatic invite to attend a Grand Final to be held in May, from where the 6 man squad will be selected to wear the coveted three lions in representing the Angling Trust and England.

The trials will be run under the same conditions and rules as used within the World Championships. With two competitors allocated to a boat, and only permitted to use ‘cast’ lures and not ‘trolled’. However, the use of drop-shotting is permitted as included within the rules imposed by the governing body of FIPSed. All fish caught over a specified size are to be measured and points per species and per centimeter over the specified size will be awarded. The Top 8 individuals after the 2 day event then being invited to the Final where the exact same set of rules will apply in determining the squad for this year.

How to enter

Cost of entry for each of the 2 x assessment/trials heats is £25 (plus boat hire/day ticket per day), from which all proceeds will go towards the costs of sending the squad to France,  anyone interested in applying must have individual membership of the Angling Trust, and entry forms can be obtained from the Team England website at www.teamenglandluresquad.co.uk or direct from the Team Manager, Mike Skipper by email at teamenglandluresquad@gmail.com.

Further information on both Team England and these trials can also be obtained directly from the website, or again by emailing Mike at the email address supplied.  It is hoped that once again Sky Sports will attend with the England squad and film another ‘special’ on these World Championships following on from the tremendous coverage supplied last year.

Trials venues and dates

Esthwaite Water, Hawkshead, Lake District – 29th & 30th of March 2014. 15 boats available (30 anglers) Fish 10am to 4pm.

Bewl Reservoir, near Lamberhurst, Kent – 10th & 11th April 2014. 20 boats available (40 anglers). Fish 10am to 4pm.

All completed forms and cheque payments must be sent to Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager, Angling Trust, Strelley Hall, Nottingham. NG8 6PE to secure your place.

Grand Final

Llangorse Lake, Brecon Beacons, Wales – 17th & 18th May. 10 boats available for hire. However, anglers with their own boats are allowed to use their own boats, but must follow the rules imposed by the venue. Those bringing their own boats will be allocated a boat partner, and the cost of the boat ticket will be given to the boat owner towards their own costs. Once again we will fish to the same rules as the World Championships and from 10am to 4pm.

Llangorse lake has it’s own campsite along with its own café and bar and a number of good bed & breakfast accommodation within the area, and competitors will fish for the exceptionally good head of pike. The draw for all trials events will take place at 9am each day.  We look forward to seeing as many anglers as possible at our team trials, where the lucky 6 will encounter one of the greatest experiences ever in their angling history by taking part and representing their nation at these incredible World Championships. An experience you have to see to believe!