A young fisherman from Donegal is looking forward to the experience of a lifetime after qualifying with the Ireland youth team for the International World Fly Fishing Championships.
Zack Barnett (17), from Porthall, Lifford, will take part in the competition in Idaho Falls in the USA later this summer.
Born into a family of fishing, Zack followed in his grandfather and father’s footsteps with his love for the sport from a young age.
He was given his first lesson in fly fishing at Birchwood Fishery and, having caught his first fish, was hooked – he went home with his training rod and has never looked back.
His apparent talent was quickly spotted and nurtured by the Foyle River Catchment Outdoor Group (FROG Cic), who are still supporting Zack and helped him establish himself as an admired angler by both the ITFFA and TAFI.
He will also be joined on the team by fellow FROG members, Jacob Griffin and Lewis Porter from Tyrone.
Zack Barnett, Jacob Griffin and Lewis Porter.
The trio learned their craft on the local waters of the Mourne, the Derg and the Finn. They sealed their place on the national team at two qualifying events organised by the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland.
The three fought off stiff opposition from 25 other young anglers from all over Ireland at the events in the River Suir in County Tipperary and Ardaire Springs Angling Centre in Kilkenny.
Damien Devine, FROG, said: “The climb to the top of the tree in the angling journey of these youth angling representatives is something myself and Joseph Owens could never have imagined at the outset.
“They came along to us at a very tender age, some without even the basic equipment at that time.
“However, in the early days of casting lessons, it was very noticeable that there was a hunger from them and a support network from their guardians, which was pointing towards greater heights.
“With many angling titles and success in the last few years, the world stage now awaits the new generation of Irish youth anglers.
“All our coaches at FROG CIC are so privileged to have played our part in steering these fine young men towards their dream of international representation.”
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