South Africa’s women’s fly fishing team has made history after winning the country’s first-ever team gold medal at the FIPS Mouche World Ladies Fly Fishing Championship in Norway.

The historic achievement came at the fifth World Ladies Fly Fishing Championship, held in Åkrestrømmen from 27 July to 2 August 2026. The South African team also celebrated an unprecedented individual victory, with Marlize Blom Heyns crowned world individual champion.

Blom Heyns’ triumph marks South Africa’s first-ever individual medal in the ladies’ category at the world championships.

The victorious team consisted of Blom Heyns, Kristine Page, Amy Bo Visser, Amy Tough, Lucinda van Niekerk and Alecia Mc Alpine, with Matt Rich serving as coach and David Karpul as manager.

Despite warnings from international anglers that their years of preparation could pay off, the South Africans admitted that the result was difficult to comprehend when it finally became a reality.

The competition presented a significant challenge, particularly because the European teams had the advantage of fishing on familiar waters and targeting species such as grayling and whitefish, which are not found in South Africa.

Yet the South Africans prevailed by the narrowest of margins, with France taking silver and Finland bronze in the team competition. The same nations occupied the podium alongside Blom Heyns in the individual standings.

The double gold is significant not only for South African fly fishing but also for the development of women in sport. International competitive fly fishing is divided into several categories, including Youth, Masters, Senior and Ladies. South Africa had never previously won a team gold medal in any category, nor had it secured an individual medal in the ladies’ competition.

The breakthrough is the culmination of years of dedication and investment in developing women’s fly fishing in South Africa, supported by sponsorship, committed leadership and development structures throughout the sport.

Competitive fly fishing is a demanding discipline. Anglers compete in five three-hour sessions over five days and across five different venues, including rivers and lakes. Team members rotate between venues, with one representative competing for the team at each venue during every session.

The scoring system rewards both quantity and size, with anglers receiving 100 points for every fish caught and 20 points for every centimetre of fish length.

Conservation is also central to the sport. The use of barbed hooks, unnecessary harm to fish or damage to the environment can result in significant penalties.

Beyond technical ability, competitors require physical fitness, mental resilience, adaptability and problem-solving skills. Because the conditions and playing field can change from one venue to another — and even during a tournament — teamwork and the ability to adapt are crucial.

After five gruelling days, the South African team gathered to calculate the unofficial results following the final session. Around a small piece of paper, they added up the points before the enormity of their achievement finally sank in.

There were tears, hugs and disbelief.

For Blom Heyns, the experience remains difficult to put into words.

“What an unforgettable journey this has been. Winning the World Championship as a team is something I’ll treasure forever. I want to say more, but I cry too much every time I try.”

For Page, the newest member of the team, the journey represented a personal transformation as much as a sporting achievement.

“The person I have become through this process is one I think I have dreamed of being for my whole adult life. She is confident, and competent, and happy in her own skin. She owns who she is and she makes the most of every opportunity she has, to learn, to grow, to give, to participate, to belong.”

The reaction back home was immediate, with South Africa’s fly fishing community celebrating the landmark achievement and messages of congratulations pouring in from across the country and around the world.

The victory is expected to have a lasting impact on the sport, particularly by encouraging more women and girls to take up fly fishing and demonstrating that women have an important place in competitive angling.

The champions, however, are already looking ahead.

South Africa will host the World Angling Games in October 2027, including the sixth FIPS Mouche World Ladies Fly Fishing Championship in the Western Cape. The national team is now setting its sights on defending its world title on home soil.

The organisers are appealing for volunteers and sponsors to help make the 2027 event a success. Those interested can contact admin@flyfishsouthafrica.co.za.

For those wanting to explore fly fishing, opportunities exist for women, youth and adults at beginner, recreational and competitive levels. Provincial structures provide development opportunities for newcomers as well as experienced anglers, while local fly shops can also provide guidance on getting started.

Fly fishing offers not only a competitive challenge but also an opportunity to connect with the natural environment — and, as South Africa’s historic world champions have demonstrated, it can provide a pathway to the very highest level of international sport.