World Fly Fishing Championship

The Ultimate Fly Fishing Competition

Every year the world's top fly fishers from 28 member countries compete against each other for the World Fly Fishing Championship.

The next event will be held in 2011 in Italy 28.Aug-04.Sep. For more information about the 2011 World Fly Fishing Championship, click here.

While Team U.S.A. has some excellent fly fishers, they've been unable to bring home the title thus far. France and the Czech Republic continue to dominate the competition.

Despite this, Team U.S.A. is showing improvement and even placed 6th in the 2007 World Fly Fishing Championship (WFFC) held in Finland. And in 2006, Team USA beat the British for the first time ever!

The first World Fly Fishing Championship was held in Australia in 1981 under the auspices of the International Confederation of Sport Fishing (CIPS), and administered by the International Federation of Fresh Water Sport Fishing (FIPS-Ed). Back then, there were only about 6 countries competing against each other.

Then in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Fly Fishing (FIPS-Mouche) was founded in San Marino as an independent Federation within CIPS. Today, FIPS-Mouche continues to be the official sanctioning body for the annual World Fly Fishing Championships and Conservation Symposium.

Since competitions prior to 1989 were held under a different organization, it is difficult to find accurate record for 1981-1988 competitions.

Each year, Team USA sends winners from the National Fly Fishing Championship (NFFC) to the world competition.

Anglers who are interested in becoming part of Team USA must participate in the Trails System.

The Trials are Regional Competitions. The top ten finishers qualify for the National Championships. You can find detailed information about regional competitions on the NFFC web page.

The NFFC event is a 5 member Team event with a Team title and Individual title. The 15 members of Fly Fishing Team USA are selected from the NFFC from a set criteria.

Members of Team USA will be selected to participate in the World Fly Fishing Championship (WFFC) and possibly other competitions.

Thanks to Jay Buchner (member of Team USA) and Karel Krivanec (member of Czech Republic Team), we're able to provide the following information on previous World Fly Fishing Championships.