A TEENAGE Castle School student has qualified to compete for England in a fly-fishing tournament.
Jesse Gale, aged 14, will be part of a team of 14 anglers from across England who will head to Scotland to compete in the under-18s Loch-Style home nations fly fishing championship competition this summer.
Following two practice days, the competition between the hosts, England Wales and Northern Ireland will take place on July 30 at the Lake of Menteith, near Stirling.
Qualifiers started last September at the youth national loch-style competition in Grafham, Cambridgeshire.
Despite Jesse, of Olveston, missing out on a top three place, he was selected in February at Ellerdine Lakes Telford for the youth category (17 and under), following four days of training and competition over the previous five months.
He said: “Last season I set myself a goal to reach the England squad.
“I’ve surprised myself that I achieved my goal in a relatively short space of time.
“Most of my teammates have fished from a very young age, typically because someone in their family fly fished.
“I love how I’ve actually taught my dad to fly fish, when traditionally it’s the other way around.
“I’ve had an incredible amount of support from Bristol Reservoir Fly Fishing Association, which has helped me achieve my dream.
“I’m really looking forward to competing on behalf of England.”
Jesse first got into flying fishing following a school holiday open day, before picking up tips online.
Mum Ruth said: “I took Jesse to an open day where fly fishing was an activity to try.
“He’d previously mentioned fly fishing was something he fancied trying.
“He then taught himself by watching YouTube videos. He started fly fishing in October 2022 and caught his first trout the following month.
“Qualifying to fish for England has been an incredible achievement, especially as Jesse has only been fishing a relatively short time.
“We’re really proud, not only because he’ll be the first in the family to represent England, but also the way Jesse shares his knowledge, helps youngsters at the reservoir and is at his happiest with a fishing rod in his hand.”
Jesse is raising money towards his competition costs associated with fishing for England and offering donors the chance to win a taster day fly fishing – you can make a donation here.