Idaho Falls hosts 45th World Fly Fishing Championship, bringing international anglers to Eastern Idaho

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) — Some of the world's top fly anglers have spent this week casting across the rivers and lakes of Eastern Idaho, Montana and Wyoming as Idaho Falls hosts the 45th FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championship.

The international competition runs through Friday, September 18, with five sessions testing anglers across some of the region's most well-known fly-fishing waters.

The championship is bringing together 140 competitors representing 21 countries, with Idaho Falls serving as the host city and the surrounding region providing the competition venues.

For international organizer Glade Gunther, bringing the championship to the United States — and specifically to Eastern Idaho — was about showcasing the waters he believes make the region special.

“Three years ago, I was asked by the U.S. Federation to go to the international organization that runs the championships and put in a bid for the United States,” Gunther said.

He agreed to take on the effort with one condition.

“And that is we can do it on the best fly fishing waters in North America, maybe the world,” Gunther said. “And that's right, that's based right here out of Idaho Falls. I mean, we have some of the best fishing anywhere in the country.”

Competition across the Golden Triangle

The championship is being held in what organizers describe as the “Golden Triangle of Fly Fishing,” with competition extending across Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Among the competition waters are the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, Sheridan Lake in Idaho, and Hebgen Lake in Montana. The championship's format includes both river and lake sessions, with competitors fishing from the bank, wading and from boats depending on the sector.

Friday marks the fifth and final competition session. According to the official championship schedule, anglers will compete from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by closing ceremonies and a banquet Friday evening at 6:30pm in Idaho Falls.

More than a competition

While the championship is about points, placement and individual performances, Gunther said the event is also about bringing together people who share a passion for fly fishing.

“It really is a community of anglers with similar goals,” Gunther said. “We love fishing. Yes, it's competitive, but you know, it's not mean spirited or anything. It's all in good fun. And for the love of the sport.”

That sense of community extends beyond the competitors.

Volunteers have traveled from across the United States to help make the championship possible, including people from Connecticut, Texas, Georgia, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and the Carolinas, among other areas.

For Gunther, seeing that community come together in Idaho Falls has been one of the most meaningful parts of hosting the event.

“It is inspirational to be part of an organization that's able to bring a world championship event to the United States and, in particular, to bring it to Idaho Falls,” Gunther said. “It's a great community.”

An international spotlight on Eastern Idaho

The championship gives Idaho Falls and the surrounding region an opportunity to showcase its fishing waters to an international audience.

Organizers say the area offers thousands of kilometers of fly-fishing opportunities within a few hours of Idaho Falls, with the championship taking advantage of waters throughout the region.

With competitors from countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, the United States and Wales, the competition has brought a distinctly international presence to Eastern Idaho.

Now, after five sessions on the water, the championship is coming down to its final day.

The closing ceremonies and banquet are scheduled for Friday evening in Idaho Falls.

For Gunther, the event represents more than an opportunity to crown world champions. It is a chance to share the place he believes helped make the championship possible in the first place.

“This region is considered to be the Golden Triangle of Fly Fishing,” Gunther said. “There are hundreds of people who have helped us here, both in the community and have traveled into the community, think they all feel a sense of pride and representing their nation. I know our anglers do. Frankly, I do too. It's it's an honor to be able to to be a part of this."