05-07-2025
Young Cork angler to represent Ireland in world-class fishing competition in United States
Cian Hayes, a Dubliner who has fished with the Kanturk club for five years, will compete at the 22nd FIPS-Mouche World Youth Fly Fishing Championship next week.
The competition will take place in Idaho Falls from July 12 -19.
The championship venue, located near the famous Yellowstone Park, is known for its beauty and excellent fishing.
Ireland is one of several countries set to compete at the event.
Cian told The Corkman he is excited to compete at the championships, which will mark the second time he has represented his country.
He said that preparing for a competition on the other side of the Atlantic is difficult as US rivers are totally different.
'It is not easy to prepare for the States because in the summer their rivers are in flood, which is the total opposite of Ireland,' Cian explained.
'There could be rivers that a flowing down miles per hour because it is fed by a glacier, and in the summer the ice melts and the flows through the river making the water level high, while rivers tend to be lower in Ireland,' he said.
Thankfully, the Irish team will have four days of practice to acclimatise to the rivers.
Cian earned his spot in the six-man team by qualifying through the Munster youth fly fishing competition for Kanturk. He then finished in the top three places in the river category of the All-Ireland competition.
Team Ireland is made up of Cian, Henry Suiter from Magherafelt, Adam Adcock from Tipperary, Zack Barnett from Donegal as well as classmates Jacob Griffin and Lewis Harte Porter.
Kanturk & District Trout Anglers are massive supporters of Cian, and they held a fundraiser in Killarney last month in support of the youngster's trip across the Atlantic.
Cian received a cheque with the proceeds of the fundraiser during a presentation.
'I would like to thank the Kanturk & District Trout Anglers, Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland (TAFI), and TAFI Munster as well,' he said.
Youth Officer at Kanturk & District Trout Anglers, Declan O'Sullivan, told The Corkman that the club is very proud of Cian.
'On behalf of the club I would like to wish Cian the best of luck in America, and we are so proud of what he's achieved so far,' Mr O'Sullivan said.
