Nick Adler, manager at Golden River Sports, sits at a desk inside the shop dominated with angler gear, building a fly fishing rod. He’s has an attentive demeanor and sports a heavy thick beard.

He’s pretty proud of his new found fly fishing buddy, Jeremy Sides, who earned his place on the Fly Fishing Team USA or FFTUSA after coming in 7th at the 2013 National Fly Fishing Championships held in Basalt, Colo. in early October.

“To have him finally have all of that hard work that’s put in pay-off is huge,” Adler said. “It’s been something that he’s wanted for a long time.”

Originally from Virginia, Sides began fly fishing when he was 15 years old, and for the last 16 years, he has split his time between work and fly fishing.

“I don’t think I’m more at peace anywhere than on a river,” Sides said. “It really is the best therapy in the world.”

Sides spent many years learning the required fly fishing methods to qualify for regional competitions including European nymphing techniques; a style that involves a fly that goes underwater as opposed to a dry-fly which floats on top of the water. He also had to perfect his skills for lake fishing aside from the usual river fishing.

“The coolest thing about it is the people you meet,” Sides said.

He broke the previous single session FFTUSA record for most fish caught on a lake in a three-hour session with 69 trout over 8 inches. Competitions are all catch and release, and they use barbless hooks to prevent foul hooked fish.

The Fly Fishing World Championships have been dominated by European countries such as France, Italy and Czechoslovakia, Sides said. But in the last 8 years or so, the U.S. is rising up in the ranks. In 2016, world championships will be held in Vail.

“The USA is getting really good, we’re a force to be reckoned with now,” he said. “It’s super humbling to be a part of it.”

For more information on fly fishing lessons and classes, go to www.goldenriversports.net. For more information on the national team, go to www.flyfishingteamusa.com.