National Fly Fishing Championship coming in May

The North Carolina Fly Fishing Team is the host of the Fly Fishing Team USA National Championships, held May 19-22, 2011 and based on the Reservation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

This is a fly fishing tournament with invitations going to competitors who finish in the top 5 places in at least one of the Team USA Regional qualifiers. These are being held on various dates and various locations around the United States. Team USA members get an automatic bid to the National Championship and they will compete against the individuals who get a bid through regional qualification.

This is the first time the event has been hosted in the South East. May brings some of the best fly-fishing in the region and spectators will be treated to southern hospitality. Competitors and judges will be treated to a 50 percent discount when booking their hotel at the Holiday Inn- Cherokee. The tribe will be providing Simms shirts and hats for all competitors and judges who judge each session. Rivers Edge Outfitters will provide the space for the conservation symposium and other support has poured in from other local and national businesses.

Judges are needed to help make the event run smoothly. This is your chance to get to know, and learn from the best fly anglers from around the country. There is no experience necessary; all that is required is a pair of waders. Judges will receive $120 worth of Simms National Championship logo gear.

The regional dates that can qualify an angler for the National Championship are as follows:

SW Regional, Santa Fe, NM- Nov 7th- 8th, 2010

SE Regional, Nantahala, NC- Feb. 19th-20th, 2011

NE Regional, State College, PA- Mar 12th -13th, 2011

NW Regional, Bend, Ore- Mar 26th -27th, 2011

Competitors will follow rules set fourth by the international regulatory body for sport fly-fishing, Fips-Mouche. For more information, you can “Like” the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team and Fly Fishing Team USA on Facebook. You can also follow the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team on Twitter @NCFFT.

If you have questions, contact event organizer Paul Bourcq at 828-371-7297 or by email at Pbourcq@yahoo.com