Making a Cast for Team USA
Tuesday October 9, 2007
If you’ve ever spent a lazy Sunday afternoon channel surfing, you’ve probably stumbled across one of those million-dollar bass tournaments that always seem to be on.
But did you know there are competitive fly fishing tournaments as well?
The National Fly Fishing Championships just wrapped up another event in Colorado this past weekend with 15 anglers remaining alive for a spot on Team USA. That’s right, there’s an official American fly fishing team, which will compete in the World Fly Fishing Championships in New Zealand this March.
This story by the Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel explains what it’s actually like to be a competitive fly fisherman. Check back here at About.com's new Fly Fishing site for updates on major fly fishing tournaments throughout the year.
Logo courtesy National Fly Fishing Championships
Comments
Hey! Welcome from one of the former (and longer term than the others, heh) About.com fly fishing “guides.” Best of luck to you on this new endeavor of yours.
If you are interested, I wrote a report about my recent experience competing in the Canadian Fly Fishing Championships that is held under the same auspicies of the one held in the U.S. in Colorado.
I did poorly as far as the final standings are concerned – but did fantastically well at making new acquaintances – and learning more about lake style fly fishing – something I haven’t done much of before this year.
My report is here.
Hey Ian, thanks for checking in. That sounds like a blast. Good luck in future tourneys.
Thanks!
Yes, it was a blast. One benefit of fly fishing competitions as far as personal skills go – even if you don’t do well – you’re probably going to come away with so much new knowledge to apply when simply enjoying fly fishing for the fun and leisure of it.
One thing I found was that being forced to think about catching fish in a set period of three hours made me better at things like… tying knots faster. Finding and discovering ways to tie knots faster or more efficiently means more time spent on the river watching the river or casting to fish – instead of fumbling with tippet and leader.
Improved organization of my bag or vest. Better habits.
Learning through observation what others do.
I’ll tell you what: If all of my fly fishing was formal competition related, I’d give up fly fishing. However, participating in a few a year actually helps me enjoy the leisure and zen of fly fishing even more.
Brian – good luck with the ABout.com stint too! This was my spot until Primedia too over and replaced me with Fly Fisherman Magazine. Feel free to contact me anytime.
Brian,I received a fly fishing newsletter from you and wish to thank you and if possible to keep sending them as i am a new fly fisher and really enjoy the info.
However, i have a complant that happens a lot and resent the implied prejudice especially against my country(Canada).
Your newsletter registration does not accept my Canadian address or postal code so i cant register??????????
Can you please fix this as i am tired of yelling in deaf ears.
Thx Rick