Zach Bearden

(2009)

Gore, OK

When Zach was 4, he started fishing with his Mom and older brother. When he was 9, he started fishing bass tournaments with his father. Then at the age of 10 he decided he liked the idea of fishing with a fly-rod. He had some of the best local teachers to assist him as he learned to fish for trout. His mentor was Kelly Gattenby. He spent many a day on the Lower Illinois River with Kelly catching Striper and Trout.

When he was 14 he traveled to Livingston, Montana to the FFF National conclave with the Native Women Fly Fishers. He competed in the casting competition and won first place in the Men's division for distance and won a fly-rod. 

In 2008 he was chosen to fish in Frisco, Colorado with the America Cup youth team. He learned valuable lessons from the competition and was even more intent on getting on the US Youth Fly Fishing Team.

In 2009 he was selected to be on the US Youth Fly Fishing Team and traveled to the Czech Republic and participated in the 8th FIPS Mouche Youth World Fly Fishing Championship that Summer.

Along with being a member of the US Youth Team, Zach also ties flies and ties at local shows. He is a senior at Gore High School in Oklahoma. He is an active member of the Gore High School band where he plays the Euphonium and is the low brass section leader.

He is truly excited to have this opportunity to fish with some of the best fly fishing anglers in the world.

Zach would like to thank everyone who has been so supportive in getting him to this place and is looking forward to bringing home some “hardware”.