The 2026 World Fly Fishing Championship will bring together over 100 elite anglers from around the globe to compete on the rivers and still waters of Northeastern Idaho, Southwestern Montana and Western Wyoming, a region renowned for its fisheries and fly fishing heritage. 

USAngling said that “hosting the event in the United States offers a rare opportunity for fans, volunteers, and the broader angling community to witness world-class competitive fly fishing firsthand.”

Competing on home waters, USA will feature the same powerhouse lineup that earned back-to-back team bronze medals at the 2024 World Championship in France and the 2025 World Championship in Czechia:  Cody Burgdorff (Lafayette, CO), Devin Olsen (Lander, WY), Michael Bradley (Cherokee, NC), Jack Arnot (Vail, CO) and Mike Komara (Pittsburgh, PA) 

“This group has already proven they can stand on the world podium — twice,” said a USA team representative. “Now they’ll have the rare opportunity to chase a world title in front of a home crowd, on familiar water. That’s something special.”

USAngling President, Tony Forte wrote that  “the event will be a showcase of angling skill, global fellowship and love of the sport” saying it brings together the best anglers from around the world.