SAMF was formed in 1980, with a number of well-known match anglers at the forefront; Alan Yates, Ian Golds, Chris Clark to name but a few.  The principal officers running the organisation were John Amery (Chair), Andy Steel (Secretary) and Mary Steel treasurer.  In recent years Mike Watt’s, Tony Thomas and myself have taken the lead roles for SAMF, although Andy is still there to provide guidance and support were needed.  The current SAMF committee also include a number of well-known match anglers from around the country; Andrew Dugdale (Isle of Man), Bob Gascoigne (North East), Bill Lindfield (Merseyside) and George Smith (Grimsby).  

SAMF has a constitution, risk statements, match rules and insurance, all things you would expect from an established organisation.  At the forefront of match angling, SAMF has developed a comprehensive catch and release rule set, actively promotes catch and release, with specific rules for the handling of fish.  To widen its appeal and to gain new members we’ve introduced a specimen competition.  This appeals to the roving angler, as well as providing an insurance umbrella to members when not just fishing SAMF pegged matches.  

Our organisational objectives include; 

  • To arrange fishing competitions for members to enjoy
  • Provide open matches to promote the sport
  • Provide opportunities to support charitable and community activities
  • Encourage and develop the skills of sea angling

SAMF was at the forefront of running large pegged matches, with qualification for a national final; The Masters, run over two days at a venue with rotated around the country, a model which the current Penn Sea League was founded on.   Any angler can be a member of SAMF, its membership stretches across the UK, Holland and Belgium.  We actively encourage male, female and junior anglers.  We encourage all clubs and match organisers to allow juniors to fish for free, whilst ensuring the safeguarding of the child at all times.  

As match angling across Europe increased in popularity and the success of the England team at world championships, the idea of a challenge match was developed in the 1990’s.  The first of its kind was SAMF versus the Belgium Federation; 20 angler teams fishing over two days, alternating between Belgium and the UK.  This concept has now expanded, with SAMF fishing separate challenge matches against Scotland, the combined armed forces (CAF), along with what is our premier challenge match; SAMF v Belgium v Holland, a three-way international competition held in Holland, Belgium and the UK on a rotational basis.   This competition was renamed the Alan Gilbert Memorial in honour of Alan, who gave so much to the SAMF match teams over a number of years.  A point worthy of note is both the Dutch and Belgium federations use this competition as part of their selection process for their world teams.   Although the away venues are not too far away, the types of fishing do vary, forcing UK anglers to learn and adapt.  This is an excellent stepping stone and opportunity for anglers to demonstrate their skills and to learn continental styles of fishing, required if the individual has ambition to tackle matches which demand use of lighter lines, fine hook lengths, far away from the popular styles used in the UK, such as the home internationals and world championships.  SAMF has had the honour of being allowed to select a team of English anglers to represent Angling Trust at the World Club Championships, wining a number of team medals.  Most of those anglers have gone onto represent AT at either the home internationals or World championships. Being UK wide SAMF members extend across all our home nations with a smattering of Dutch and Belgium anglers who have supported SAMF over recent years.      

Expanding our involvement in match fishing over the last few years SAMF has taken of the organisation of the National Sea League, teams of five anglers.  With leagues run around the country, culminating in the national final with up to 40 teams taking part.   This year’s final is in Skegness, over the weekend 13th and 14th November, with 35 teams taking part.  This year SAMF supported Sea Angler and Penn, by running the Penn Final in Felixstowe on 23rd October.