Autumn 2026 - SANACC

Ireland hosted the 2026 Autumn International at Lough Lein and the match was fished on a total catch and release basis.  The minimum size was 25cm. Each fish was rewarded with 20 points plus 1 point for each centimetre of length.

The practice days were wet and windy and on match day the competitors had to contend with a strong blustery wind although the day was mainly dry and overcast.

Scotland took the gold medal with an excellent team performance which saw them have 5 anglers in the top eight and a further 4 in the top twenty.  The 14 team members netted a total of 98 fish and a points total of 4596.  England were second with 75 fish, Wales were third with 62 and Ireland were fourth with 59.

Top rod with 611 points from 13 fish was Pat Hoare of Ireland.  Top rod for Scotland and in second place with 602 points from 13 fish was Sean McCaffrey.  Top rod for England with 569 points from12 fish was Steve Cullen and the top rod for Wales with 518 points from 11 fish was Paul Williams.

The top five for Scotland were Sean McCaffrey; Brian Kennedy was in joint 4th with 518 points from 11 fish; Colin Macdonald was 6th with 473 points from 10 fish; David Carr was 7th with 470 points from 10 fish and Bradley Chalmers was 8th with 428 points from 9 fish

Scotland captain, Michael Low

receiving the gold medal trophy

from IFFA President Albert Berry

Scotland's top rod Sean McCaffrey

receiving the Phoenix Silver Salver

from IFFA President Albert Berry