The SAFFA Youth structure is solid and still growing. The Youth are mentored and coached by Senior and sometimes former Youth Protea anglers in each of the Provinces. They participate in Provincial trials for team selections which are entered annually in a team format to participate in the Youth National Event.

It is through this structure that our Youth Protea team is selected each year to experience and represent South Africa at the World Championship. A second team is selected to travel either internationally or locally for a development tour - this takes our Youth from strength to strength!

2024 saw the Youth Nationals move to the high numbers, high energy fishing waters of Barkly East in the Eastern Cape - but for our youngsters this year it proved to be one of the most challenging Nationals to date. It appears to have been the massive weather front which moved through the cape highlands in the days before, bringing with it snow, rain and thus discolored waters with unusual fluctuating water temps.   The  championship comprised of four river sectors and a bank rotating stillwater which produced many blanks and low numbers winning the sessions. Youth Co-Ordinator Chris Tough reported after day one "The fishing has been extremely challenging which is very unusual for this region. You can see this in the results and fish numbers for the two sessions. The youngsters are having to dig deep at the moment. We are hoping that the fishing improves across all the sectors as the comp goes on."

The anglers did dig deep, the Nationals were all-round tough but they kept on pushing...

Team honours went to KZN A with a very convincing win, Team Silver Limpopo A, Bronze Gauteng North A.

Individual Gold: Pete Louwrens(KZN) , Silver: Ruan Jacobs (CW)  Bronze: Daniel Cruikshank (KZN)

Fly tying: Thomas Warren                                                         
Most fish: Ruan Jacobs
Longest Fish:Speedy Walters
Wikus Steyn Sportmanship: Campbell McLean
Willem Pretorius(Top SA Junior at WC): Pete Louwrens
Highest place Junior Lady: Janica vd Westhuizen

See Results & Galleries pages 

"Congratulations to all the kids under extreme conditions. Hope you enjoyed it. Your dedication over those few days was amazing" - Andrew Clark , Chairman Barkly East Angling Soc.

The 2024 Fips-Mouche Youth World Championship was held in Vyssi Brod during Aug. South Africa was represented by a team of mostly first-time Protea representative anglers at World Championship level, had the privilege of pre-event support and training on the local waters by experienced former Czech team manager, Martin Musil.

The Team representing was as follows: Campbell McLean, David Mulder, Daniel van Wyk, Marc van Rooyen, Roarke Goosen and Pete Louwrens with Matt Gorlei took up the reigns for a third consecutive year as Coach/non fishing Captain, and Daniel J Le Roux as Manager for a second year running.

Fluctuating water levels and high season social rafters paddling through the sectors were some of the challenges faced in this year's event. After a difficult start on day one and the team finding themselves in last position overall, they focused and pulled up four places to finish 7th overall after session five. Pete Louwrens (KZN) took a phenomenal 8th place in the Individual standings.

For full final results > follow the facebook link

Thank you to the Sponsors of our Youth Team for their valued support, in particular Safari Outdoor, Xplorer Fly Fishing