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Fly Fishing Olympics: 2021

For two weeks, the world comes together to witness the athletic prowess of the best among us. We watch gymnasts contort, fly, and balance with exquisite muscle control. Runners sprint at speeds that defy our expectations of human physiology. And then there are a bunch of random sports that don’t seem particularly athletic, but do force us to admit “I guess I couldn’t do that.

What if fly fishing was in the Olympics?

It wouldn’t be something as simple as catching fish. There are too many variables in that. Plus, competitive fly fishing is a thing but it has its fair share of detractors. What if there were events on a global stage that allowed the most talented, comitted, and niche anglers to shine?

Here are five events that could showcase the athletic feats in which fly fishers engage:

Drift Boat Slalom

Watch as professional fly fishing guides navigate downriver, dodging deadfalls, rapids, and tubers. The event is returning after a long hiatus. Previously, professional guides were prohibited from competition. This meant that only weekend warrior-type drift boat captains could compete. However, given the event organizers’ strict “no alcohol in the boat while competing” stance, no anglers event attempted to qualify.

Trout Wrestling

Formerlly known as “Grip & Grin,” this event sees anglers enter the river in full gear. They are then handed a mechanical trout. Once the clock starts, it begins to flop and squirm. The angler must take a selfie with the faux fish using his or her cell phone. Points are deducted for: not keeping the fake fish wet, using a tailing glove, putting a rod on a shoulder, laying the fish on the grass, pretending to yell, gazing longingly  or looking intense, squeezing the fake fish, revealing the spot in the background, and not getting enough likes.

Fly Boxing

Two anglers enter the ring. They square up in the center. Before them: a table. On it sits an empty fly box and every fly that said box once contained. Each competitor must defy the laws physics and all reason to re-cram every fly back into their box within the time alotted. Randomly, a giant articulated streamer is dropped onto the table. Picking it up is optional… but no one has ever turned it down. Eye protection must be worn at all times after the “Tacky tension tungsten disaster” of 2016.

Opening Day Casting

The world’s most advanced fly casters are spread out along a section of river. Interspersed among them are… guys from Erie and Pulaski. (You know the type: powerbait on the fly, gas station cigar, antagonistic about your opinion on the Bills or Steelers, lots and lots of split shot.) Competitors must complete a series of casts while dodging leaded spoons and engaging in casual banter.

Rythmic Tenkara

It’s just like the ribbon-twirling event in the real Olympics. Only the ribbon is attached to the end of a 12-foot, reel-less, guide-less fishing rod.


Want more Fishlympics coverage? Check out this article from the last time the games came around.

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