Wading the Fly Fishing Trail

Expert angler and Sylva, N.C., native Josh Stephens earned a silver medal in team competition during the 2012 National Fly Fishing Championship in Bend, Oregon.

Stephens captured the medal as a member of one of three Team USA squads competing. He also placed eighth individually.

“This is the tournament that determines who goes to the World Championships and represents this country,” Stephens said. “It’s not easy. The competition is strong.”

Stephens has now won a team medal in seven straight national championships, along with two individual medals during that span.

A total of 60 anglers on 12 teams competed at the 2012 National Championship, which was hosted by the U.S. Fly Fishing Team.

Stephens posted a personal best when he caught 63 regulation fish in three hours during the fourth round. That catapulted him into third overall, before a tough final round of lake fishing dropped him out of individual contention.

“It still was a good finish,” Stephens said. “I’m happy with it.”

He also was happy to promote the nation’s first officially designated fly fishing trail—the WNC Fly Fishing Trail  in Jackson County—which sponsored Stephens’ trip to the National Championship.

“It means a lot to say our local fly fishing trail here in North Carolina sponsored me. It’s something I’m very, very proud of,” said Stephens.

For info on the Fly Fishing Trail, call 800.962.1911 or visit FlyFishingTrail.com.