For the second year in a row, the USA Adult Fly Fishing Team has reached the podium at the prestigious 44th Annual 2025 World Fly Fishing Championship, proving itself against the world’s elite by securing a team bronze medal and an individual bronze medal. The event, held May 25–31, 2025, brought together the world’s top 160 anglers representing 32 countries—across five intensely challenging fishing sectors in South and West Bohemia, Czech Republic. This marks the second consecutive team medal for the U.S. squad, a testament to their skill, consistency, grit, and teamwork on the international stage.

After months of preparation, the USA Fly Fishing Adult Team arrived ready to represent their nation. The championship featured five diverse sectors—four rivers and one reservoir—designed to test every facet of fly fishing expertise. The sectors included: Lipno II Reservoir, fished from drifting row boats, Vltava 29 “Devil’s Stones” consisting of tight banks and boulder-strewn rapids, Vltava 28 “Vyšší Brod”, a legendary Czech trout stream with wild and stocked trout, Vltava 27 “Rožmberk” a wider and slower section, with rainbows, browns, and a mix of coarse species and the Otava River “Sušice”, a wild foothill river known for its variable flows and mix of grayling, brown trout, and stocked species. 

From stealthy euro-nymphing in tight quarters, various streamer techniques on stocked holes, to long dry fly and dry dropper drifts on windy reservoirs and varied rivers, the championship pushed and highlighted every skill set that these world class anglers have. The breadth of terrain—from reservoir to rapids—posed intense physical and tactical challenges. With unpredictable flows and weather conditions on sectors like Otava and inconsistently stocked fish beats on the Vltava, every angler had to stay sharp, adaptable, and collaborative through five days of competitive sessions. 

This year the USA Fly Fishing Adult Team was composed of anglers Devin Olson (Lander, WY), Michael Bradley (Cherokee, NC), Cody Burgdorff (Lafayette, CO), Jack Arnot (Vail, CO), Michael Komara (Pittsburgh, PA), Austin Shoemaker (Canton, NC) and Glade Gunther (South Jordan, UT) as captain and manager.

Michael Bradley’s performance stood out, earning him a coveted and well-deserved individual bronze medal. His calm execution across diverse conditions was pivotal to the team’s overall success, with impressive top 10 finishes each day that demonstrated consistency and composure under pressure.

Additionally, every member of the team delivered crucial results, each stepping up with standout performances that contributed to the overall success. Jack Arnot finished 4th on the Vyssi Brod and clinched a dominant 1st place on the Rožmberk sector with 62 fish — an achievement that also earned him the award for the highest number of fish caught on that sector all week.

Cody Burgdorff delivered an outstanding session win on Rožmberk, finishing with just one fewer fish than current and three-time gold medalist Pierre Kuntz had caught on the same beat the day before — an impressive benchmark. Cody also secured a strong 4th place on the lake on day two, a result that not only helped the team on the scoreboard but also provided critical tactical intel moving forward.

Michael Komara was a rock-solid performer for the team, showcasing his versatility and tenacity. His impressive 3rd-place finish on the challenging Devil Stones sector demonstrated both technical skill and determination, while a 7th-place finish on the highly competitive Rožmberk further solidified his reputation as a reliable and formidable competitor at the world level.

Devin Olson, the most experienced world championship angler on the team, provided vital leadership throughout the event. His steady hand and deep well of experience translated into top 5 finishes on both the Vyssi Brod and Rožmberk — pivotal performances that anchored the team in critical moments.

Additionally, Austin Shoemaker, serving as reserve, played a vital support role, scouting and providing water intel to optimize team strategy and helping with critical late night tying sessions.  Captain Glade Gunther managed session planning, gear logistics, and on-the-ground strategy, helping to maintain team morale and cohesion. “Every session was a battle… but our guys stayed locked in, supported each other, and found a way to the podium.” Said Gunther.

Every angler from the USA Fly Fishing Adult Team placed within the top 50 individually, a remarkable statistic given the level of competition. Facing the largest field in recent memory and grueling conditions, the USA Fly Fishing Adult Team’s back‑to‑back podium finishes underscore the depth, preparation, and resilience of this program. The bronze medal confirms the USA’s growing presence as a force in the international fly fishing world, and cements a new standard of excellence heading into future championships, including the upcoming 2026 championship held on home turf in Idaho.  

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Information on USAngling visit: www.usangling.org

Media Contact:
Courtney Van der Linden
c.vanderlinden27@gmail.com