HE went looking for a pot of gold, but Durban North resident and fly-fishing supremo, Matt Gorlei, caught something just as priceless, a team bronze medal.
The 19-year-old recently returned from Ireland where he represented South Africa at the Fly Fishing Youth World Championships. For Matt, the achievement is doubly significant, not only did he bag bronze in his third and final year of representation at youth level, but it was also the country’s first ever medal finish in the sport. He also placed fourth (out of 52 anglers) at the SA Youth Nationals and was selected for the senior Protea selection trials for next year’s World and Commonwealth teams
“I could not have asked for a better way to sign off. It is one of the most memorable ways to leave the youth section of the sport that has given me that much more incentive to carry on into the seniors.
”For South African fly fishing it is a huge deal that we brought home a medal and I am extremely privileged to be a part of it. I was so stoked with the bronze, getting any sort of medal at a world championships for your country is the most amazing feeling.”
Matt added the team set out to get a medal and showed a lot of character. “Everyone pulled it together to get the medal on the last day of the championships.
“At the moment all I want to do is fish and compete but I have decided to take a year’s break to focus on my studies. I had to turn down the invitation to the senior Protea trials because I feel it’s for the best, but I will be back into it in the future.” His mom and current ladies’ fly fishing national champion, Linda Gorlei, was equally stoked with her son’s performances. “As a family we are very involved in youth development and through my position in the KwaZulu-Natal Fly Fishing Association (KZNFFA), I would love to assist ladies who would like to embrace the gentle art of fly fishing,” she said.
For more information email linda@xis.co.za
