Josh Stephens - Competitor, 2008 World Fly Fishing Championships

Josh Stephens, the newest member of the Fly Fishing Team USA, developed a love for fly-fishing at a very early age. Born in western North Carolina in 1977, he had access to multiple rivers, streams and lakes. By the age of 12 he was a serious fishing competitor against his father. Throughout high school he was constantly on the Nantahala River either fishing or guiding white-water rafting trips. While earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Parks and Rec. Mgt. at Western Carolina University, he worked at the Highland Hiker in Cashiers, NC instructing and guiding fly fishing trips.

During his college elective PE fly fishing class he often filled in for the class instructor. While at Western Carolina, he met Mac Brown and became quite impressed with his fly fishing technique. Under Mac’s guidance he enhanced and developed his own fly fishing techniques. Josh has often been Mac Brown’s casting demonstrator at various fly fishing trade shows.

In 2001, Josh began working for the Wit’s End Guest Ranch and Resort near Durango, Colorado as a fly fishing guide and led numerous trips on the San Juan in New Mexico and the Animas in Durango. After a year in Durango, Josh relocated back to North Carolina and as a Wildlife Safety Instructor for the State of North Carolina teaching hunting and boating safety. He also helped develop a fly fishing program in western North Carolina during this time. After two years with the State, Josh went back to Wit’s End Guest Ranch and Resort as the Manager of the Orvis Fly Shop, supervising 6 guides, scheduling guided trips, instructing and guiding.

Josh participated in the ESPN II flying fishing competition in Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania in 2002 along with 12 other experienced fly fishermen.

In March 2005, Josh won the Best of the West competition in Sacramento casting for distance at 102 feet 9 inches. Automatically qualifying for the finals in Salt Lake City, Josh cast against 7 other professionals and finishing third in the Best of the West 2005.

On May 23rd 2005 Josh tried out for Fly Fishing USA, and is now 1 of 15 members of the team.

Josh's huge passion for fishing leads him all over the US, fishing all kinds of rivers. Even when he is guiding and instructing most of the week, on his days off he goes fishing.