YOUTH
FLY FISHING TEAM
The United States Youth Fly Fishing Team, Inc. is dedicated to the development of a distinguished and skilled fly-fishing team that proudly represents the United States in FIPS-Mouche sanctioned international championships each year.
Just as important as the fishing, is the camaraderie and the cross-cultural connections that are made through the events. Team members are also involved in a number of other areas of fly fishing such as guiding, offering fly fishing tying clinics, participating in watershed preservation projects, and promoting environmental stewardship.
The team holds clinics across the United States that have top-notch instructors with a long history of competitive fly-fishing success. Clinic attendees are qualified for a National Championship which is part of the criteria used to pick the team. The top anglers are then selected to be a part of the World Championship Team which competes against countries from around the globe.
USA FLY FISHING YOUTH TEAM
BLAKE HALL
Blake is from Marion, VA. His favorite river to fish is the South Holston near Tennessee. He enjoys learning new tactics and techniques about fly fishing and even though his favorite fly is a Walt’s Worm, he dislikes tying flies. Blake has been a member of Team USA since 2021.
BOBBY BRANDT
Bobby is from Lancaster, PA. He enjoys fishing Spring Creek and the quietness of fly fishing. His favorite fly is a Walt’s Worm. In the summer, Bobby spends his time catching fish at the Jersey Shore. Bobby joined Team USA in 2023.
HALENA FISCHER
Halena
is from Imler, PA. Her favorite place to fish is the Little Juniata River.
Halena enjoys fly fishing because she is outside in the water. She teases that a
fun fact about her is that she tends to only fall in the water when it is
freezing cold. Halena has been a member of Team USA since 2023.
JUSTIN HARDIE
Justin’s
hometown is Springfield, VA and recently moved to Pennsylvania. Growing up, he
played soccer and tennis. His favorite place to fish is high alpine lakes out
west. Justin enjoys tying cool flies and loves to draw. His favorite fly is the
Tequila Blob. Justin has been a member of Team USA since 2021.
LANDON COOK
Landon
is from Marion Center, PA. He enjoys fly fishing because of the friends he has
made along the way. Landon’s likes to fish small limestone streams and his
favorite fly is the Walt’s Worm. A fun fact about Landon is that he can chug a
water bottle in 2-3 seconds. He has been a member of Team USA since 2023.
LAWSON BRAUN
Lawson
is from Waynesville, NC (hometown Harrisburg, NC) and has been a member of Team
USA since 2020. His favorite fly is the Pink Lady and he loves to fish the
Nantahala River. Lawson’s favorite thing about fly fishing is spending time
with his teammates and learning each time he goes out to fish. Lawson’s fun
fact? Tombstone is the best movie of all time.
MAX LOGAN
Max
is from Boulder, CO. He enjoys fishing the Colorado River and his favorite
thing about fly fishing is targeting big fish. While Max’s favorite fly is a
Pheasant Tail, he loves fishing streamers. An obscure fact about Max is that he
is blind in his left eye. He has been a member of Team USA since 2021.
MICHAEL STICKLEY
Michael is from Centennial, CO and has been a member of Team USA since 2021. His favorite fly is the France Fly and he likes to fish the South Platte River. Michael enjoys fly fishing because it is relaxing and you get to meet some great people. A fun fact about Michael is that he is a twin.
TOMMY LUSIGNAN
Tommy is from Wilton, CT. His favorite place to fish is the Norwalk River in Connecticut. Tommy’s favorite fly is an egg and loves the dynamics of fly fishing. Tommy likes to make wooden lures. He has been a member of Team USA since 2022.
ETHAN CAMPBELL
Ethan is from Park City, UT and joined the team in 2025. His home waters are the Provo and Weber rivers. He enjoys exploring new trout streams and discovering hidden backcountry gems. Ethan’s favorite thing about fly fishing is that there will always be something new to learn. His favorite fly is the Chubby Chernobyl because it produces the best dry fly takes. In addition to fishing, Ethan competes in Freeride skiing.
RILEY GOODE
Riley is from Park City, UT. He often fly fishes with friends on the Weber and Provo Rivers . . . and any other river in areas he travels to. His favorite fly is the Hot Spot Pheasant Tail. Fun fact about Riley . . . he enjoys food from many cuisines, and he is a great cook! He joined the team in 2025.
WILL BROWN
Will is from Dillsburg, PA, and loves spending time outdoors. Fly fishing is one of his favorite things to do. His favorite stream is spring creek. Will’s favorite fly is the Pheasant Tail. He enjoys tying his own flies. When Will is not fishing, he’s usually out hunting or playing baseball. Will joined the team in 2025.
JOSHUA MILLER
HEAD COACH
Josh is from Pittsburgh, PA. He has been the head coach for the 2023 and 2024 seasons and coached with Team USA since 2014. Being a part of Team USA, means Josh gets to both spend time teaching what he has learned and watch the anglers develop over time. Josh’s favorite fly is the Walt’s Worm and loves to fish wherever he can fish with his friends. He considers it an honor and privilege to be a part of this awesome team. Fun fact about Josh: he played in a rock band that traveled the country!
GORDON VANDERPOOL
COACH
Gordon is from Otto, NC. He is a huge Steeler fan and his favorite thing about fly fishing is that fish always throw you a curveball. He loves the challenge! Gordon enjoys fishing the Nantahala River and his favorite fly is the Walt’s Worm. He has coached with Team USA since 2012.
BRIAN KIMMEL
COACH
Brian is from Montana. He has been a part of Team USA since 2006. Brian’s favorite thing about fly fishing is the fish. He enjoys fishing the Madison River and his favorite fly is the Parachute Adams. Fun fact about Brian: he likes cats!
JOE CLARK
COACH
Joe is from Midway, PA and his favorite place to fish is Patagonia. He loves to play and write music. Joe’s favorite thing about fly fishing is becoming one with the fish and his favorite fly is the France Fly. He has been a part of the team since 2016.
JESS WESTBROOK
TEAM MANAGER
Jess is from Benton, AR and his favorite place to fish is Gore Creek in Vail, CO. He has been a part of Team USA since 2022 and he enjoys being part of the team because ‘the future of fly fishing lies in the hands of our youth, making it one of the most important missions to engage and work with them through this incredible sport’. Jess’ favorite fly is the Griffiths Gnat and his favorite thing about fly fishing is that when you are on the river, you can forget about everything except mending.