Ireland strikes gold at youth flyfishing international

Challenging waters did little to undermine the determination of the Irish Four Nations youth fly-fishing team as they secured a five in a row. It's no surprise the Lake County had strong representation on the managing and coaching side of the squad with the abundance of opportunities for anglers to hone their skills in Westmeath.

This is the fifth time Ireland’s youth fly fishing team brought home the gold medal. This year's competition, held on the legendary Lake of Menteith in Scotland on Sunday, July 27, saw sixteen of Ireland’s finest young anglers rise to the top under challenging conditions.

Led by team manager Julie Gerry, assistant Jenny Casey, and coaches Denis Goulding and Andrew Duncan, as well as help from Kevin Dinning, the Irish squad arrived in Scotland ready to take on the best.

Practice kicked off on glassy calm conditions and unseasonably high water temperatures. The fish were slow to respond, but the team quickly adapted—discovering that the trout were holding high in the water, contrary to expectations.

By the end of the day, adjustments were paying off, and strong fish were coming to the net. Evenings were spent fine-tuning tactics, sharing fly patterns, and preparing gear for the big day.

The Tuesday of competition week brought even more promise. With fish rising freely in the calm conditions, confidence soared. The anglers refined their techniques and built solid plans for match day. That night, the team gathered for a final strategy session, ready to give everything on the water.

Wednesday, match day, arrived with improved weather, a light breeze cooling the lake and boosting morale. After a final pep talk, the Irish team launched into action. For spectators on shore, the waiting was tense. Boats disappeared across the vast lake, and while occasional catches were spotted, the real drama played out unseen. When the boats returned at 5pm, the atmosphere was electric.

When the scores were finally announced, the celebrations began as the numbers showed Ireland netted 49 fish, with Scotland in second with 47 fish, Wales in third with 39 fish and England in fourth with 20 fish.

Ireland’s total fish weight was 122.14 lbs and Ireland’s Jake Fisher won the reserves match with four fish for 10lb 10oz. That’s five gold medals in a row—an unprecedented achievement in the history of the event.

Denis Goulding of the ITFFA Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association tol the Examiner about the achievement: “I am one of the coaches of the youth team. We have just come back from Scotland, where we fished the Four Nations Youth Home International. We came first, taking gold for the fifth time in a row.”

“We have anglers representing Ireland from all over the country, from the south, north, east and west,” he said.

Ireland’s victory is a testament to more than just individual talent. It reflects the strength of a unified team; coaches, parents, supporters, and volunteers all working behind the scenes. From logistics to moral support, the team behind the team made it possible.

The Irish team were: Captain: Evan McMicken, Vice Captain: Zack Barnett, Jacob Griffen, Jack Reidy, Caedin Doherty, Shay Murphy, Lewis Porter-Harte, Lisa O’Sullivan, Emily O’Sullivan, Jamie Wade, Ethan Newbanks, Colm Coyle, Jack McGuinness, Kyle O’Mahony, Reserves: Jake Fisher and Noah Johnston.

Denis said: “A huge thank you to the sponsors who made this journey possible. Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association (ITFFA) & the Provinces, NARA, Fulling Mill, Wychwood, Gowen & Bradshaw, Maxcatch, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Fario, The incredible fly tiers and everyone who donated time, effort, and support, it is very much appreciated.”

Julie Gerry, ITFFA Youth Manager, said: “With an exceptional youth development programme and an incredible support network, the future of fly fishing in Ireland is brighter than ever.”