Blake is Bosnia bound!

Hey all, as the mom of a self-driven, goal-oriented, fly fishing competition-obsessed 14-year-old, I am doing my best to help him live his dream of competing in a world championship, which honestly, blows my mind a little bit. Blake is from a rural neck of the woods in southwest Virginia, that doesn't always have a lot to offer in the way of opportunity for young folks, but does have natural beauty and a few fishing spots if you're willing to get outside and take advantage.

A little backstory: Blake began fly fishing at the age of 10 after inheriting his grandmother's fly rods following her passing. It took him a whole month to catch his first fish on a fly rod, but he didn't give up and was instantly hooked, watching videos, reading books and magazines, and chatting up the locals in our closest fly shop and on the river to gain knowledge. His passion quickly grew and fly fishing/tying flies became all he wanted to do. At age 12, he learned about the US Youth Fly Fishing Team (USYFFT), a competitive group of teenagers from across the US, who compete in fly fishing competitions all over the country, including in a national championship against one another each year, and on the worldwide stage against other countries every summer. He came to us, his parents, and said he wanted to enter a competition, attend a USYFFT clinic, and try to get on the youth team. Who even knew this was a thing?! We followed his lead, played a lot of chauffeur, and 3 months later, he was bringing home a 3rd place finish in his first-ever national championship. He continued to fish daily, putting in time like it was a full-time job, working to improve, entering more competitions, and becoming the 2022 National Champion in October. So now, he is one of 6 members of the US Youth Team who will compete in Bosnia in July 2023, representing the US to try to bring home the gold! He is working hard to be prepared, just completing a practice session in Montana, and soaking in everything he can from all the fine anglers he has connected with. He continues to fish daily, tie flies after dark, and talks with the team members multiple times a week about strategy.

As you can imagine, the trip costs are substantial, and this is where we would be most appreciative of your help if you're able. While the team members are fortunate enough to have many costs reduced through sponsorship and donations, for this trip alone, for only Blake, costs are estimated to be at least $5200 (uniform for opening/closing ceremonies-$300, passport-$150, equipment and luggage-$2000, team flight/lodging/meals/guide service-$2750). If we should be so fortunate as to raise more than the goal, rest assured, all funds will go to support his fishing future to enable him to grow and achieve success as a competitive fly fisherman. He still has 2 clinics in 2 different states to attend this year, a practice in June in Colorado that he would love to attend if possible, team membership fees, a national championship in Montana, other competition fees and lodging, and he would love to schedule an individual training session with a world competitor in NC to help him prepare for Bosnia. These costs we're hoping to help cover are solely his and do not account for travel/accommodation costs for parents/family, which are also necessary, as he is only 14, remember.

When a child lives and breathes something the way Blake does fly fishing, as a parent, you find a way to make it happen for him. He wanted to contribute as much of the money himself as possible, so this is my way to help him live his dream. I created the page for him, but the passion, drive, and goals are all his. We appreciate your interest, consideration, and support in helping Blake be a world competitor in Bosnia! Please share and check him out on Instagram @ holston_native to see what he's up to.