TroutLegend

The following is from:

Anthony Naranja
Fly Fishing Team USA – Captain

Hello to all!

The past week has been a week of great advancement for Fly Fishing Team USA. 2 International events occurred over the same week, The America Cup and The Canadian National Fly Fishing Championships. We sent two teams to participate in the America Cup and one team to participate in the Canadian Fly Fishing Championships.

The America Cup:

Here is what information that I do know: There were 12 teams that competed in this year’s America Cup which was held in Frisco, Colorado. National teams from Poland, Ireland, Australia, Japan and Hungary participated along with several teams from America. This event would be fished on 4 rivers in Colorado: The Colorado River, The Blue River, The Arkansas River and Ten Mile Creek.

Team USA #1
Mike Sexton – Captain
Devon Olsen
Riley Cotter
Josh Stephens
Brian Kimmel

Team USA #2
Bret Bishop – Captain
Brian Capsay
Scott Robertson
Rob Kolanda
Loren Williams

I don’t have much as specific details but wanted to let everyone know both the team results and individual placings. Complete scoring and information can be found at theamericacup.com

America Cup Team Champions – Team USA #2
Team USA #1
World Cast Anglers
Individual Placings :
1) Michael Drennan – Team Emerger
2) Devon Olsen – Team USA #1
3) Bret Bishop – Team USA #2
4) Loren Williams – Team USA #2
5) Scott Robertson – Team USA #2
6) Jim Hickey – World Cast Anglers
7) Piotr Marchewka – Team Poland
Matt Powell – America Cup Youth
9) Marek Walczyk – Team Poland
10) Trevor Wine – World Cast Anglers

Congratulations to all of the competitors and to all US Team Members for a great tournament!

The Canadian National Fly Fishing Championship:

We were very fortunate to be able to participate in yet another international event and return the favor in participating in our northern neighbors national finals. This event took place in Mont-Tremblant, Canada in the province of Quebec. The venues included 3 lakes and 2 rivers of which were named as follows: Lake Renversi, Lake Vinet, Lake Du Cap and the Upper and Lower Diable River. Most of this area is full of brook trout and brown trout, with a small amount of rainbow trout in the river and Lake Renversi. The water here in the land “eh” is vert tannic and tea colored and some of the most difficult wading our team has ever faced.

The US Team for this event:
Anthony Naranja – Captain
Lance Egan
Pete Erickson
George Daniel
Norman Maktima

3 of us came a few days early to Mont-Tremblant to get some preparation and familiarity with the venues and area. The 2 others arrived the night before the championships began so bringing them up to speed was fast and furious. Fortunately, the 2 official practice days was all we needed to get comfortable in our new surroundings. Team USA got out to the lead the first day and did not turn back. However, the Canadian Youth Team was in for the biggest gains of the tournament. These youthful anglers were agressive, comprehensive and eager to fish their hearts out! In the end, this youth team would take home the Team Silver Medal and stack two individual gold and silver medals. Being that this was a Canadian National Event, Team USA was not allowed to participate in the individual medals, however, this event was open to us for the team medals.
Our boys fished with efficiency and aggressiveness wading and swimming this very difficult river. We now know why they call this The Devil River -El Diable!
In the end, Team USA built a trememdous lead that before the final day we were ahead by almost 80 points. All in all, we came to this event to fish well, build team unity and learn some things about our fishing as we prepare for the next World Championships. I am extremely happy to say that we did all of that and came away with the Gold Medal for Team USA!

Here are the final Team and Individual standings for Team USA:

Gold – Team USA
Silver – Team River Tawdz – Canadian Youth National Team
Bronze – Team Equipe Airflo

1) Micheal Lennox
2) Simon Wells
3) Norman Maktima – Team USA
4) Anthony Naranja – Team USA
5) Sorin Comsa
6) George Daniel – Team USA
7) Ivo Balinov
Lance Egan – Team USA
9) John Nishi
10) Mark Anderson
11) Arron Varga
12) Pete Erickson – Team USA

There will be pics to follow from both events!

I am very excited to be a part of Team USA as you can see. We have been cultivating this team and our efforts are surely paying off.

Please pass this information to anyone you may think would be interested!

Thank you all for your support!

Anthony Naranja
Fly Fishing Team USA – Captain