USA Fly Fishing Team Announced for 2026 World Fly Fishing Championship in Idaho Falls, ID

Back-to-Back World Bronze Medal Team Returns to Compete on Home Waters

Idaho Falls, Idaho — The United States has officially named its team for the 45th FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championship, to be held September 13–18, 2026, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Competing on home waters, USA will feature the same powerhouse lineup that earned back-to-back team bronze medals at the 2024 World Championship in France and the 2025 World Championship in Czechia.

Those podium finishes account for two of only four team medals the United States has earned since it began competing in World Fly Fishing Championships in the 1980s,  solidifying this group as one of the most accomplished teams in U.S. competitive fly fishing history.

The team qualified based on their final performances at the 2025 U.S. National Fly Fishing Championship, held last September in Idaho. The event challenged anglers across three rivers and two lakes, demanding a high level of technical skill and adaptability. The top five finishers,  who will now represent the United States at Worlds, were:

1st place –  Cody Burgdorff (Lafayette, CO)

2nd place – Devin Olsen (Lander, WY) 

3rd place –  Michael Bradley (Cherokee, NC) 

4th place –  Jack Arnot (Vail, CO) 

5th place –  Mike Komara (Pittsburgh, PA)

Sweeping the top five positions at Nationals underscores the team’s depth, consistency, and readiness to compete for gold on the international stage.

“This group has already proven they can stand on the world podium — twice,” said a USA team representative. “Now they’ll have the rare opportunity to chase a world title in front of a home crowd, on familiar water. That’s something special.”

Rounding out the roster is Austin Shoemaker (Canton, NC), named as the team’s reserve angler. Shoemaker finished 10th at the 2025 National Championship and placed 6th in overall selection points, demonstrating both his competitive strength and readiness to serve as a key support player, contributing to team strategy, practice, and morale while remaining ready to compete at a moment’s notice.

The 2026 World Fly Fishing Championship will bring together over 100 elite anglers from around the globe to compete on the rivers and stillwaters of Northeastern Idaho, Southwestern Montana and Western Wyoming, a region renowned for its fisheries and fly fishing heritage. Hosting the event in the United States offers a rare opportunity for fans, volunteers, and the broader angling community to witness world-class competitive fly fishing firsthand.

With a decorated roster, deep team chemistry, and the advantage of home waters, USA Fly Fishing heads into the 2026 Championship with momentum, experience, and a clear goal: to climb even higher on the podium, at home.

For event updates, team news, and opportunities to get involved, follow USA Fly Fishing on social media. 

Follow the team on Instagram! @flyfishingteamusa

Follow the team on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USAFlyFishingTeam

 

Media Contact:

Courtney Van der Linden

Communications and Social Media Manager

courtney.flyfishingteamusa@gmail.com