England Under 18 River, Bank Fly Fishing Team Faces Tough Conditions in Final Training on the Kennet

With just weeks remaining until the 22nd FIPS-Mouche World Youth Fly Fishing Championship in Idaho Falls, USA, the England Under 18 River and Bank Fly Fishing Team was given access to the River Kennet for a training session – one that proved to be as challenging as it was important.

The team trained on the Upper Benyons Beat, a section of the Kennet. The river was cloudy on the day – a real test for even the most experienced anglers, let alone a young team still honing their skills.

Cloudy water changes everything. It made wading more difficult, as the riverbed was hard to see, and spotting fish – let alone enticing them to take a fly – became a serious challenge. Fish rely heavily on sight in clear water, and with reduced visibility, the team had to adapt quickly. It was a real test of skill, patience and adaptability.

Despite the tough conditions, the team got stuck in, working closely with their coaches to refine key techniques. They practised tight, controlled casting, thought hard about fly selection, and learned to present patterns convincingly in water that gave little away. Every fish was earned the hard way and the learning was even more valuable for it