Fly Fishing Team USA

Fly Fishing Team USA USA premier competitive fly fishing organization. Over 50 years of experience.

Our worlds team boys had a great time at their team practice a few weeks ago! They are gearing up for the 45th FIPS-Mouc...
06/16/2026

Our worlds team boys had a great time at their team practice a few weeks ago! They are gearing up for the 45th FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships upcoming this September, taking place in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming!

Meet your 2026 Senior (Adult) Worlds Team members! These anglers are at the tippy top of their sport, the best of the be...
05/22/2026

Meet your 2026 Senior (Adult) Worlds Team members! These anglers are at the tippy top of their sport, the best of the best in competition fly fishing, and have qualified to represent their country at the 45th FIPS Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships in September.

Devin Olsen, Cody Burgdorff, Michael Komara, Jack Arnot, Michael Bradley and reserve Austin Shoemaker.

This team is on a hot streak, coming off of a double team bronze at the 2025 World Championships in Czechia (picture 2) and 2024 World Championships in France (picture 3). Let’s cheer them on as they carry that momentum into 2026 Worlds on home waters in Idaho this September!

Another competition this weekend over in Cherokee, North Carolina. Congrats to , and for their podium finishes.
05/20/2026

Another competition this weekend over in Cherokee, North Carolina. Congrats to , and for their podium finishes.

Thanks to everyone who fished in the eastern Idaho stillwater regional qualifiers this past weekend. The fishing was gre...
05/19/2026

Thanks to everyone who fished in the eastern Idaho stillwater regional qualifiers this past weekend. The fishing was great and a lot of fun was had. Congrats to and for 1st, 2nd and 3rd on the first day. Congrats to and for 1st, 2nd and 3rd on day 2.

Meet BRAYTON BIRD 🎣Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Brayton Bird has been competing in fly fishing for over 7 years,...
05/18/2026

Meet BRAYTON BIRD 🎣

Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Brayton Bird has been competing in fly fishing for over 7 years, earned a spot on Fly Fishing Team USA in the spring of 2024 and has continued building momentum ever since.

Some standout moments in Brayton’s competitive career include a podium finish at the 2023 Interregional in Oregon and a strong 9th place finish at the 2025 Nationals in Idaho.

For Brayton, fishing has always been about time spent outdoors in beautiful places and the mental challenge of figuring fish out every time he steps into the water. Competition added another layer — camaraderie, growth, and a tight-knit community of anglers constantly pushing each other to improve with cutting-edge tactics and techniques. Along the way, he’s made lifelong friendships and developed skills far beyond what he could’ve achieved on his own.

🐟Favorite species: Southern Appalachian brook trout
🌎Favorite place to fish: The mountains of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina
🌊Favorite water type: Calm, clear water perfect for sight fishing
🪰Go-to fly: Simple pheasant tail nymph
🩵Favorite fly: Pine squirrel streamer
🍀Lucky fly: Usually whatever he tied the night before a competition

Focused, analytical, and always eager to learn, Brayton brings passion and determination to Team USA.

What’s your favorite type of water to fish?
Give it up for Brayton in the comments!

🎣 Meet JOHN OH !Based in Atlanta, Georgia, John Oh has been competing for nearly a decade, starting in the SEFFL circuit...
05/13/2026

🎣 Meet JOHN OH !

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, John Oh has been competing for nearly a decade, starting in the SEFFL circuit before recently moving into the FFTUSA League. This marks his first year on Fly Fishing Team USA, following strong performances at Nationals. John ended up 7th individually this past September and 5th at Nationals in 2024.

For John, competition is as much about people as it is about fishing. What keeps him coming back is the chance to connect with others who share the same passion — turning a typically solitary sport into something social and community-driven.

John loves competing because it keeps things fresh and forces him to constantly evolve, improve and get outside of his comfort zone. It’s also pushed him to explore new water across the country, including recent time in Yellowstone.

🎯 Comp-day fuel: 3 Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits (he also loves the spicy ones, but only when you have access to a bathroom)
💪 Off the water: Powerlifting, watch collecting, and gaming
🎣 Most memorable moment: Fighting a big fish with ¾ of a rod after his tip section launched into the river during a comp session… and learning to always double-check rod sections in the future.

A steady competitor with a love for the process and the people, John brings new energy and perspective to the team.

What’s your go-to comp-day meal or river snack?

Give it up for in the comments!!!

🎣 LINDSAY SZOFRAN — Women’s Worlds Angler 🌟Based in Red Lodge, Montana, Lindsay Szofran has been competing for five year...
04/30/2026

🎣 LINDSAY SZOFRAN — Women’s Worlds Angler 🌟

Based in Red Lodge, Montana, Lindsay Szofran has been competing for five years and continues to build momentum on the national and international stage. In 2025, she earned a spot on Fly Fishing Team USA and helped secure Team Gold at the 4th FIPS Mouche Ladies World Championship on home waters in Idaho this past September.

As an inaugural member of the USA Fly Fishing Women’s Team in 2021 her competitive journey also includes:
🏆 2024 Ladies National Champion (Individual Gold)
🥉 Team Bronze — 2023 Women’s World Championship (Canada)
🥈 2022 Ladies National Championship (Individual Silver)
🌍 Competitor at Women’s World Championships in Norway (2022) and Czech Republic (2024)

For Lindsay, fly fishing is a mindful, ever-evolving practice — rooted in science, curiosity, and a constant drive to learn. While travel and competition are a major part of the experience, it’s the friendships built along the way that mean the most.

🐟 Favorite species: Steelhead
🌊 Favorite water: Freestones with wild fish
🎣 Lucky charm: A fly tied with her dog Berkley’s fur — always with her, never fished
🎯 Dream setup: Swinging flies for steelhead, ideally with her husband and two dogs nearby
☕ Comp-day ritual: A must-have cup of hot tea in the morning
🎣 Her superpower: Being a strong advocate for stewardship and education on the water — always promoting responsible angling and the mindset

Off the water, you’ll find her skiing, practicing yoga, foraging for huckleberries, or bird hunting with her two dogs. A thoughtful competitor and strong ambassador for the sport, Lindsay brings passion and perspective to the team.

If you could fish anywhere for steelhead, where are you going? 🎣 Give it up for in the comments!

🎣 Introducing AUSTIN SHOEMAKER — Worlds Team Reserve Angler🔥From Canton, North Carolina, Austin Shoemaker has been compe...
04/23/2026

🎣 Introducing AUSTIN SHOEMAKER — Worlds Team Reserve Angler🔥

From Canton, North Carolina, Austin Shoemaker has been competing for 11 years — a decade-long grind built on curiosity, persistence, and a deep love for the process. In March 2024, he earned his spot on Fly Fishing Team USA, and this past season delivered his biggest high yet: winning the 2025 Team USA Southeast Interregional and heading to the World Championship in the Czech Republic as alternate. 🇺🇸🌍

For Austin, fly fishing is all about discovery — figuring out where the fish are, unlocking what they’re willing to eat, and dialing in the perfect presentation until everything clicks. Competition brings another layer he loves: time on the water with friends, meeting new people, and watching how other anglers break down tough beats. Every session is a chance to learn.

🐟 Favorite species: Buck Nasty Browns
🌲 Favorite place to fish: Nantahala River
💧 Go-to water: Pocket water — every little seam has a story
🍀 Good-luck charm: A buckeye from his Grandpaw that never leaves his pack

Who introduced you to fly fishing? Share in the comments! And give it up for Austin!

Just a couple of angler spotlights left… stay tuned!👀🎣

We are confirming our volunteers for the 2026 World Fly Fishing Championships in Idaho Sept 13-18th! Fill out the new fo...
04/22/2026

We are confirming our volunteers for the 2026 World Fly Fishing Championships in Idaho Sept 13-18th! Fill out the new form by May 1st to confirm your availability and help us assign you to a volunteer role. Thank you!!! Can’t wait to see you there!

🎣 Meet Fly Fishing Team USA’s Laramie SmithFrom Whiteriver, AZ to Westminster, CO, Laramie has been competing since 2012...
01/21/2026

🎣 Meet Fly Fishing Team USA’s Laramie Smith

From Whiteriver, AZ to Westminster, CO, Laramie has been competing since 2012 — and 2024 was a breakthrough year. He earned his first spot on Fly Fishing Team USA and picked up his first interregional medal in Montana/Idaho. 🔥

What drives him? The pressure, the learning, and the chance to fish new water alongside anglers who push him to level up every time he steps into a session.

🌲 Favorite place: Black River at Ten of Diamonds, AZ
🌊 Go-to water: Stillwater/lakes
🐟 Clutch moment: Landing a 58cm brown in the final five minutes on Wyoming’s Wind River — the only fish scored that day.

Do you have a fishing buddy who always pushes you to level up? Tag them in the comments.

Give it up for Laramie! More athlete spotlights coming soon… stay tuned. 👀

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