Lee University recruit leads new era of fly fishermen

How do you become one of the top fly-fishing recruits in the country? If you ask Mason Sims, a recent recruit to Lee University’s fly-fishing program, he’ll tell you it’s by practicing. A lot.

“I’ve probably put in countless days and weeks on rivers and lakes around here just training,” the 18-year-old says. While other fly fishermen would consider a weekend out on the Chattooga or Nantahala rivers a relaxing trip, for Sims, it was something entirely different. Practicing casting methods for hours, studying the surrounding environment for the signs of what the fish were eating at that moment and honing his patience were all on the syllabus each time Sims went fishing.

That’s not to say it’s been all work and no play since the Chickamauga, Georgia, native decided to dedicate a large chunk of his life to fishing after his grandpa taught him how to cast a fly rod when he was about 10 years old.

“He said if I learned I could go out west with him to Colorado for a fishing trip,” says Sims. “After a few trips anything I could catch with a fly, I was trying to.”

His grandpa noticed the voracity with which Sims had taken to the sport, and asked if he’d be interested in competing.

After watching a tournament – and getting “thoroughly whipped” in a few more – Sims took to the sport like a fish to water.

It took him two attempts to get on the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team, but he ended up medaling in the first World Championships in which he officially competed – after technically beating much of the competition as a stand-in the year before. Now, he’s on track to help lead Lee University’s fledgling fly fishing team.

“Having Mason Sims, one of the world’s top competitive fly fishermen, anchoring our team enables us to immediately compete at a national and world level,” said Guy DeLoach, who heads the school’s 2-year-old fly fishing program. “We anticipate that several of our team members will also compete in the world competitions and represent the U.S. national team.”

Sims and the Youth Fly Fishing Team have won numerous medals in international competitions since he joined. Sims gives much of the credit to his coaching staff and family. While he says there are far too many people who’ve helped him along the way to name them all, he gives special credit to U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Assistant Coach Paul Bourcq, who Sims says helped build up his confidence and his mental game, and Mac Brown, who taught Sims some of his best casting techniques.

“Fly fishing in college wasn’t even something that was on my radar when Guy [DeLoach] called,” says Sims. “I’m excited to get started.”