International fly tying championship
Attention amateur fly tiers, the EFFA invites you to take part in the EFFA Open 2026, the European fly tying competition. Have you mastered the art of fly tying, combining selected materials to create something that could not be more authentic, and do you create your own best flies? Then register quickly for the EFFA Open 2026 and get tying!
The EFFA Open brings together the European fly tying community and is organised by the EFFA Fly Tying Department for the 15th time. The EFFA Open is an open fly tying competition in which only amateur fly tyers have their patterns tied and judged.
NEW 2026 – Prizes:
We at EFFA are particularly keen to promote and support non-professional fly tiers in fly tying with the “EFFA Open” fly tying competition. The EFFA Open is therefore aimed specifically at amateur fly tiers of all ages who have not yet won any international titles or tied flies on the international stage.
The top three finishers in each category (dry fly, nymph, and streamer) will receive a certificate. The high-quality prizes (three per category) will be raffled off among all participants in the respective categories. This means that every participant has the same chance of winning one of the great prizes!
Rules
You can freely select your desired pattern from the three following pattern specifications / categories. If you wish, you can also participate in all three categories and send in your patterns, whereby the listed hook size is predefined.
– Dry fly – hook size #12
– Nymph – hook size #10
– Streamer – hook size #6
The jury, consisting of internationally renowned fly tyers, will evaluate the individual patterns according to appearance, tying style, sophistication and authenticity. The submitted patterns will be submitted anonymously and simultaneously for judging.
The winners will be announced in April 2026. There will be three winners per pattern / category. Winners will be notified in writing after the announcement.
Conditions of participation:
– The EFFA (European Fly Fishing Association) is a European association. For this reason, only participants from this sphere of influence, Europe are admitted.
– Only hobby fly tyers can participate. Professional fly tyers, (definition of professional fly tyers: persons who earn money with fly tying in any way) are not permitted.
– Anyone, regardless of age, who meets the requirements described above is eligible to participate.
– The participant can submit patterns for one, two or all three categories.
– Each pattern must be submitted in duplicate.
– The use of materials from protected species is not permitted.
– No deviations from the specified hook size.
– Failure to comply with the conditions of participation will result in disqualification of the pattern/tyer concerned!
– All flies sent in become the property of EFFA!
– Closing date is 06 March 2026 (date of postmark)
A great deal of attention is paid to the fishability when judging the flies. The jury judges the swimming behaviour, the behaviour during casting, on / under the water etc. We therefore ask you to refrain from submitting realistic patterns. Fly patterns that do not meet the fishability criterion will be rated lower!
Registration / Info
http://www.effa.info/en/fly-tying-contests.html
Address for sending in the fly patterns:
Switzerland:
Daniele Di Fronzo
Widenmattweg 13
CH-5706 Boniswil
All other countries:
Martin Weidisch
Streuobstweg 2
D-88048 Friedrichshafen
