23rd FIPS-Mouche Cortland Youth [U19 & U24] World Fly Fishing Championships are taking place in Ballybofey, Ireland, from the 16th to the 22nd July 2026.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

YOUTH U19

Czech Republic – England – Finland – France – Ireland – Slovakia – Slovenia – South Africa – USA

YOUTH U24

Czech Republic – France – Ireland – Poland – Slovakia – South Africa – Spain

The Angling Trust Youth U19 team is: Nicholas Blisset, Inigo Burkinshaw, Marcus Cordingley, Haruki Sasaki, Harry Sharrett, Simon Sharrett (captain), Alex Turnbull, Martyn Cordingley and Marsha Blisset (manager).

PROGRAMME

Thursday 16th July
15:00pm Arrival
15:00pm Check in to hotel
15:30pm Registration
16:00pm Captains’ Meeting & Draw
18:00pm Opening Ceremony, Hotel Car Park
19:00pm Opening Dinner at Hotel

Friday 17th July: First competition session
9:00am Start of Session I Youths
12:00pm End of Session I Youths
14:00pm Start of Session I U24
17:00pm End of Session I U24
19:00pm Dinner at hotel

Saturday 18th July: Second competition session
9:00am Start of Session 2 Youths
12:00pm End of Session 2 Youths
14:00pm Start of Session 2 U24
17:00pm End of Session 2 U24
19:00pm Dinner at hotel

Sunday 19th July: Third competition session
9:00am Start of Session 3 Youths
12:00pm End of Session 3 Youths
14:00pm Start of Session 3 U24
17:00pm End of Session 3 U24
19:00pm Dinner at hotel

Monday 20th July: Fourth competition session
9:00am Start of Session 4 Youths
12:00pm End of Session 4 Youths
14:00pm Start of Session 4 U24
17:00pm End of Session 4 U24
19:00pm Dinner at hotel

Tuesday 21st July: Fifth competition session
9:00am-10:00am Cultural symposium (U24 only)
9:00am Start of Session 5 Youths
12:00pm End of Session 5 Youths
14:00pm Start of Session 5 U24
17:00pm End of Session 5 U24

14:00pm-15:00pm Cultural symposium (Youths only)
18:30pm Medals Ceremony
19:00pm Closing Ceremony
19:30pm Closing Banquest

Wednesday 22nd July:
07:30am-09:30am Breakfast
10:00am Check out of hotel
11:00am Travel home

SECTORS

Sector 1 – Lough Craghy, Dungloe (boat)
Tully Lake (Craghy Lough) is a beautiful lough of around 110 acres. It is an interesting lough with several islands, headlands and bays. Tully is best known for sea trout. It only fishes in July if there has been a wet season. August and September are the most favourable. The majority of the sea trout are Finnock and average ¾ lb but the lake can produce fish up to and over 4lb. (A 4.5lb brown trout was taken on a Loch Ordie fly during the 2000 season) Sea trout spend considerable time in Tully and can be free rising. Bank fishing is permitted but access and angling in this area can prove difficult.

Sector 2 – River Dennet, Strabane
Burn Dennett (or Dennet) is a medium sized (5-20 metres width) spate river. Rising on the northern flanks of the main Sperrins ridge, the river drops northwards through Donemana, swinging west through native woodland and pasture before meandering across broad flats to reach the River Foyle upstream of the walled city of Derry/Londonderry. Sea trout peak June to August, with grilse best fished for in July and August and salmon in August and September with the wild brown trout being most active at the start of the season. Throughout it’s length the Dennet is relatively easy to wade with a shale/gravel bottom interspersed with the occasional larger rocks. Due to the fact it is a spate river the depth and colour can change a wading staff and chest waders are highly recommended. Day and season tickets available from the Dennett Anglers Association, who control the fishing rights for the entire river and it’s tributaries.

Sector 3 – Lough Anure, Lettercaugh (Boat)
Lough Anure drains into the sea through the River Crolly (Gweedore River). The Rosses Anglers and the Lough Anure Anglers/ESB control fishing on the Lough. Lough Anure is a big shallow lough of 360 acres. This beautiful lough has a good head of free rising brown trout which average ½lb with many up to 1lb. It also gets a good run of sea trout and salmon from mid-July. The whole lough is fishable and there are hatches of Chironomids, Olives and Sedges. The lough is shallow and rocky and care should be taken especially in a big wave. Boats are available to hire. Engines are allowed but not supplied.

Sector 4 – River Quiggery, Omagh
The Quiggery is a small to medium-sized (5-20 metres width) river, which meanders through pasture and wetlands to meet the Drumragh upstream of Omagh. It’s primary tributary, the Seskinore river, is slightly smaller but generally holds a slightly larger average size of trout. Both rivers support good upwing fly populations with a substantial Mayfly hatch occurring around the middle of May. Wild brown trout between 2lbs and 3lbs (0.91-1.4kg) are taken every year. Spate can bring on the bigger fish in the evening. Much of the river is easily waded as the bed is predominantly gravel and access is relatively easy with many stiles along it’s length.

Sector 5 – Lough Deele, (Bank)
Lough Deele is a popular destination for anglers seeking to catch Brown trout. The lake is known for its excellent fishing conditions, especially during the late run of salmon from mid-August to early September. The Deele Angling Club provides day tickets and has the fishing rights for the river, offering a regulated and enjoyable fishing experience. The club also hosts events and activities for its members, fostering a community of fishing enthusiasts. For those interested in joining, the Deele Community Anglers club offers a welcoming environment and a chance to participate in various fishing

You will find more information on the Youth Championship website here>>