TroutLegend

The 31st World Fly Fishing Championship wrapped up in Italy last week. The TroutLegend Fly Fishing League is very proud to announce that the US Youth Fly Fishing Team has brought home the very first Team Medal from a World Championship… and Gold to boot! Youth angler Dan Marino secured the individual Silver medal with 4 other anglers in the top 12 (Noah Thompson 8th, Robbie Wirth 10th, Aston Boone 11th, Austen Randecker 12th, & alternate Owen Welch). The US Youth Team powered to a win with 18 less placing points than 2nd place Italy and 33 less than bronze medal winners Spain.

Meanwhile, the Adult Fly Fishing Team USA fell just short of the medal stand in 5th place. Perennial performer Lance Egan made a late stage ascent to finish 6th with team mates Devin Olsen and Norman Maktima hot on his heels with 11th and 12th finishes respectively. Team USA captain Anthony Naranja finished 36th and Loren Williams 73rd. A little luck may have nudged Team USA into a medal position with 6 placing points separating 5th and Bronze. Fly Fishing Team Canada could not capitalize on their 8 position jump in the 3rd session and took a slight step back in their World Championship showings with a mid level 14th place finish. Byron Sheperd lead Team Canada’s efforts with a 29th finish followed by Arron Varga 42nd, Sorin Comsa 72nd, Clint Goyette 78th, and Terrence Courtoreille 88th.

In its inaugural year, the Winter Stonefly Classic drew top competitive anglers from across the states of Georgia, Tennesee, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Competitors tested their skills in four rounds of fishing on the notoriously difficult Davidson River, with adverse weather conditions adding to the challenge. FIPS Mouche International Rules were in effect.

1. Chris Smith – Team Stonefly
2. Josh McFadden – Team NC
3. Chris Lee – Team NC
4. Josh Stephens – Team USA
5. Michael Yelton – Team Stonefly
6. Michael Sprouse – Team Stonefly
7. Jason Buffkin – Team Stonefly
8. Seth Gerring – Team NC
9. David Woody – Team Stonefly
10. Bill Strickland – Independent
11. Tim Fisk – Team NC
12. Andrew Brown – Team NC
13. Dell Neighbors – Team NC

Three new competitions in the Eastern United States have been sanctioned for the Leader Board. First we have a one day mini-comp sponsored by Team Stonefly in North Carolina. Then in the early spring of 2011 we have two Team USA Sanctioned Regionals – the first back down in North Carolina and the first ever North Eastern Regional for Team USA in State College, PA.

(1x) 2010 Winter Stonefly Classic – December 18. Brevard, North Carolina US. For more info: HERE

(3x) 2011 Team USA Southeast Regional – February 19-21. Nantahala River, North Carolina US. For more info: HERE

(3x) 2011 Team USA Northeast Regional – March 12-13. State College, Pennsylvania US. For more info: HERE