Ireland’s Youth Fly Fishing Team has done it again — bringing home their fifth consecutive gold medal from the 2025 Youth Fly Fishing International!
The 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. These included local anglers Ethan Newbanks and Jake Fisher who both won their first cap.
Led by Team Manager Julie Gerry, Assistant Jenny Casey, and Coaches Denis Goulding and Andrew Duncan, as well as help from our good friend Kevin Dinning, the Irish squad arrived ready to take on the best.
Practice kicked off on Monday with 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.
Tuesday 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 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 5 p.m., the atmosphere was electric.
Final Results
When the scores were finally announced, the celebrations began:
🥇 1st – Ireland: 49 fish
🥈 2nd – Scotland: 47 fish
🥉 3rd – Wales: 39 fish
4th – England: 20 fish
Ireland’s Total: 49 Fish – 122.14 lbs
Ireland’s Jake Fisher also won the reserves match with 4 fish for 10lb 10oz
That’s five gold medals in a row—an unprecedented achievement in the history of the event.
With an exceptional youth development programme and an incredible support network, the future of fly fishing in Ireland is brighter than ever.
