The English Youth Fly fishing team members have returned to this country having successfully clinched their highest ever position, third place in the 9th FIPS Mouche World Youth Fly Fishing Championships held in the Penn State College region of Pennsylvania. 

The Six team members, lead by captain Lisa Isles from Lancashire, managed to gain the third spot after three days intensive fly fishing on the various rivers and lake sessions held in the regions fabled limestone area.

The Five sessions were conducted on a section basis on rivers – an early morning session and late afternoon and also pairs boat fishing on a neighbouring lake.

The whole competition, this year involving teams from the USA, Canada, Slovakia, Ireland, England, France, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Spain is conducted under strict rules and conservation values of catch and release and is adjudged on numbers and size of trout and other agreed species towards the teams overall points.

Scott Nellins from Newcastle – one of the “veterans” of the squad – lead the field in individual gold medal position right up to the very final lake session only to cruelly see his hard battled lead slip away in the 100 % humidity through a succession of undersized fish, eventually finishing sixth individual overall.

Reflecting on the unprecedented success of the team position from previous years’ performances Manager Dave Mee from Yorkshire, also an international fly fisher with the senior England squad said: 

“The team put in a magnificent performance and deserve all the accolades they have so far received. They were and are an inspiration to other young people both in their fishing skill and the way which they proudly represent their country.  

This was the culmination of three years dedication and development. They have, as a team, fished in previous World Championships in the Czech Republic and Portugal and grown in stature and ability on each occasion. They showed tremendous skill and resolve too in taking the USA teams on their own waters – and beating them: you might say, in their own back yard.

I am immensely proud to have played a small part in their success and been offered the opportunity to be part of this team of such inspirational youngsters.”