International Rules.
Governing Body
The IFFA was formed to co-ordinate and manage international fly fishing competitions. Its present members are the national organisations of England (AT-TEFF), Ireland (ITFFA), Scotland (SANACC), and Wales (WSTAA).
The rules were first agreed in 1928 and have evolved to account for changes in fly tying materials and tackle manufacture. They are reviewed annually at the Rules Committee meeting held at the Autumn meeting.
Flies & Hooks
Flies may be dressed on single or double hooks; tandem flies are not permitted. In the case of a double hook, the angle between the bends must not exceed 90 degrees, and when viewed from the side, the bends must lie one behind the other.
No fly may be artificially weighted.
No more than 4 flies — only one of which may be dressed on a double hook — may be mounted on a cast, and flies must be at least 20 inches apart.
Hooks may not measure more than five-eighths of an inch (15.875 mm) overall, including the eye, and the overall length of the fly may not exceed fifteen-sixteenths of an inch (23.81 mm).
Debarbed or barbless flies must be used throughout the match.
Lines & Leaders
Lines, casts, and leaders must not be additionally weighted.
No form of shooting line, metal core line, or metal core braided leader is permitted.
Bungs / Indicators
Any bung or indicator must be capable of catching and hooking a fish, must not have its gape obstructed, and can only be attached on a dropper or the point.
Droppers must not be free to move up and down the line.
Threaded indicators are not permitted.
Bungs or indicators must conform to the recognised International fly sizes for loch-style competitions.
Rods
A competitor may use one rod not exceeding 12 feet in length, and may carry a spare rod of the same maximum length, but only one rod may be mounted.
A rod is considered mounted if any two sections are joined or if a reel or line is attached.
When working flies or retrieving casts, the rod must be hand-held and must be kept above water level.
Roly poly retrieval is not allowed.
Loch Style vs River Rules
There is an important distinction between the two disciplines:
In an International Loch Style (stillwater) boat competition, only one rod may be made up at any time.
On rivers, however, two rods may be set up, but only one may be fished at a time. Additionally, weight may be added to flies for river competitions, which is not permitted in loch style.
General Conduct
Fishing must be carried out in the spirit of, and with respect for, the traditions of the sport. Competitors are not permitted to engage in betting.
