BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Sun Valley Single Fly Competition is back, and with it a chance for anglers to fish the Big Wood River while raising money to send local youth to Idaho Basecamp’s 5th Grade Outdoor Adventure Education Program.

Did we mention there’s a celebratory Flip Flops & Flannel BBQ involved?

The idea is simple. Each angler gets a single fly with which to fish for two hours. Those who lose their fly are out of the competition. Points are afforded to the number of fish caught and their size, with additional points given to those who fishing with their flies.

Each category winner receives a unique Sun Valley single Fly Champion Fly Box intricately engraved with a Big Wood River scene and a chic Sun Valley Single Fly Hat. The Grand Champion of the Single Fly Open gets an amazing prize package from Native Landscapes, including the sought-after Sun Valley Single Fly Golden Belt Buckle.

The festivities begin between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 26, with the Fly Registration Party at Sun Valley Outfitters where anglers can size up the competition amidst refreshments and music.

Anglers can choose to fish anytime between 4 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27. The BBQ will conclude the event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a Grand Awards Ceremony, silent auction and raffle.

There are a variety of categories including Adult/Child Flight, Duo/Couples Flight, Senior Flight, Junior Open and Women’s Open.

Learn more at sunvalleysinglefly.org or https://www.idahobasecamp.org/about-3. Not an angler? You can still buy raffle tickets or place auction bids at https://go.rallyup.com/svsinglefly.

Idaho Basecamp is a non-profit organization based in Bellevue and atop Trail Creek Summit. It has offered 86,000 hours of outdoor education to youth, stressing environmental stewardship, leadership skills and an appreciation of nature and the outdoors.

About 450 students from Blaine, Custer and three other counties get to attend the Sahm 5th Grade Outdoor Adventure Program—a free three-day and two-night campout—with the help of proceeds from the Single Fly Competition.

“The Big Wood River is a natural playground for the community,” said Mat Gershater, executive director and founder of Idaho Basecamp. “The Single Fly Competition is a family friendly competition designed around the enjoyment of this pristine river, and for a cause that enables young people from Southern Idaho to enjoy the outdoors. It’s more than just an angling event. It's an endeavor to foster change.”