One year after making history as the first American team to win gold at the Ladies World Fly Fishing Championship, Team USA returns to defend its title at the 5th FIPS-Mouche World Ladies Fly Fishing Championship in Åkrestrømmen, Norway, July 27–August 2, 2026.

Leading the team are two of the top female competitive fly fishers in the world. Tess Weigand (Coburn, PA) claimed the individual World Gold Medal at last year’s championship in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Melissa Smith (Black Hawk, CO) took World Silver — the first time two Americans had ever held both top individual titles simultaneously. Overall, four of the team’s five anglers finished in the top 10.

“Returning to the world stage in Norway is an honor, and we’re ready for the challenge,” said Weigand. “We’re focused on fishing our best and representing the U.S. with pride.”

Norway presents a formidable challenge. The team will compete on the Atna, Glomma, and Femundselva rivers and on Storsjøen and Galtsjøen lakes over five days of three-hour sessions scored by fish count. Nine other nations will compete, including Norway, Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Mongolia, France, and Finland.

“I think we have a great team going into this year’s Worlds,” said coach Norman Maktima (Santa Fe, NM). “With four returning competitors from last year’s gold-medal team, two new members, and several athletes with prior experience competing in Norway, we have a strong foundation. Building on last year’s gold, I’d say holding onto the title is within reach.”

The full team includes veterans Tess Weigand, Melissa Smith, Lindsay Szofran (Red Lodge, MT), and Julie Mattson (Broken Bow, OK), joined by newcomers Erica Hickey (Avon, CO) and Katie Mazzia (Eagle, CO). Coach Maktima, a nine-time Worlds competitor and 2018 National Champion, led the team to gold in Idaho last year and returns for another run at the top. For more information and to follow the team, visit: https://www.facebook.com/uswfft