2023 FIPS & SAFFA Competition Rules Summary

All competitions held by competitive fly Fishing teams follow the rules set forth by FIPs Mouche - Fédération, and SAFFA - South African Fly Fishing Association - the governing bodies of fly fishing competitions.

Jonina Fouries Notes

The following is a summarisation of the 2023 FIPS AND SAFFA rules as compiled by Jonina Fourie.

Micro / tippet rings

Max 3 micro rings may be used if ≤ 3mm in diameter.
Max 3 knots per ring (this is regarded as one knot)

Fish

Eligible species and minimum size will be specified in the rule modifications.
The length will be from the tip of the nose to the furthest tip of the tail.
Only fish hooked in the mouth area, i.e. in front of the rear edge of the gill cover, will be eligible

Boats

No 1 Angler will be captain for first half of session and no 2 Angler captain for second half of session.
Captain decides seating, fishing and all other factors.
Do Not go within 50 meters of another boat.
Boat seats height must be < 10 cm.
Must be seated while fishing – may only stand while netting a fish.
Rule modifications to specify use of drogues, anchors, casting area, etc.

Rods

7 foot 6inches ≥≤ 12 Foot / 229 cm ≥≤ 366 cm
Spare rods may be assembled for river or bank fishing – but only one line in the water
Boat fishing spare rods may not be assembled nor with reel attached

Nets

Knotless: silicon/rubber/cotton
≤ 122 cm total length

Fly Lines

No lead core
≥ 0.55 mm diameter
≥ 22 meter in length
One loop on fly line, if braided or monofilament loop ≤ 10 cm
No sinking or floating devices may be added to fly lines.

Leaders

Maximum length: 2x rod length
One loop on leader to connect to fly line: ≤ 10 cm
Monofilament or poly leader. Tapered down or level
If knotted: knots ≥ 30 cm apart
Droppers only to attach flies, droppers without fly attached are not allowed.
No sinking or floating devices may be added to leaders.
Flies fixed to leader or dropper; may not slide up or down.

Bank Fishing

Wading allowed only during bank sessions, feet must always be in contact with ground – no swimming/floating.
Fishing only in own water and must land and play fish in own beat.

Flies

BARBLESS single hooks
Weighted flies may be used, provided that the weight is hidden in the dressing and may not exceed the bend or eye of the hook. 1 visible bead ≤ 4 mm is permissible.
The number of flies allowed will be specified in the rule modifications. (maximum of 3).

When fishing 1 fly: no hook length or thickness/width limit
When fishing 2 or 3 flies:
If hook length ≤ 20 mm then ≤ 5 mm thick/wide
If hook length ≥ 20 but ≤ 40 mm then ≤ 3 mm thick/wide
Flies must be ≥ 50 cm apart (free hanging, eye to eye))

Rubber or extruded round material, exceeding the bend, shank or eye of the hook is not allowed with exception of maximal diameter 0,53 mm used for leg imitations (diameter shall be checked with measuring gauge unstretched).

Flies must be connected directly to the leader/dropper/tippet; may not slide up or down.
Attractor chemicals or light emitters may not be used in flies.

Time Limits

If fish in adjacent beat and the “neighbour” objects: 5 minutes to get fish back in own beat.
If “fish on” before end of session hooter: 10 minutes to land fish
Launch boats >10 min before session start.
Minimum 30 minutes before start of session to reach beat and prepare.
Compensatory time must be allowed if the session amounts to less than 3 hours

Reserves

Only one reserve per team
Reserve must be appointed >30 minutes before start of session.
Once substituted the original team member must be reinstated in the original group.
A reserve may not fish a sector that he/she fished in an earlier session – only with authorisation from SAFFA or FIPS.

Captains

Non-fishing Captains can be appointed to teams.
A captain may move and communicate freely in the beats of the team members.
May not enter the water
May not communicate or have access to anglers in boats.

No no’s

Do Not go within 50 meters of another boat
Do Not place your hands in the net with your fish – hand the net to the controller.
Do not take anything from anybody during a session – material assistance.
Do not let anyone handle or carry your equipment during a session.
NO phones, cameras, fish finders during a session.
No help, advice or flies from anyone during a session – except your Captain
No fishing from bridges
May only get advice from Captain when bank fishing.
Do not swear at fish, marshals or boat partner!
Do not drown boat partner / fellow competitors

Do's

Wear your name tag throughout every session.
Attend all official functions on program.
Make sure you land your fish with both the net and fish in the water at point of netting.
Carry submerged fish, where possible, to controller.
All fish must be measured and to the nearest millimetre.
Make sure fish and correct measurement is recorded after every fish and SIGNED!!!
Sign your scorecard after the session and make sure it is handed to the sector controller. (Take a Photo)
Catch fish - lots!
Have FUN

The above summarisation of the 2023 FIPS AND SAFFA rules as compiled by Jonina Fourie with the best intention to support fellow anglers. The notes are not intended to replace FIPS Mouche and SAFFA rules. Please use the original rules to ensure the latest and correct information is used.