2025 Academy Casting Competition Final Scores

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The Wretched Mess Festival in West Yellowstone, Montana, once again brought together anglers, artists, and musicians for a weekend that celebrates every corner of our sport. For us at Anglers Academy, the highlight was the second annual Wretched Mess Casting Competition, held September 5–6, 2025, on the Bob Jacklin Casting Pond. Thank you to Joe Moore at Big Sky Anglers for making this event happen. 

A True Celebration of Casting

Casting is the cornerstone of fly fishing. It’s not just about distance or accuracy—it’s about timing, rhythm, and finesse. This year’s event showcased that perfectly. From juniors stepping up to the pond for the first time to seasoned professionals casting to targets and reaching for distance under pressure, the competition provided memorable moments in every division.

The format challenged casters on four accuracy targets ranging from 20–40 feet, followed by long-distance casts that had the crowd cheering. Pros had the added challenge of a 50-foot bonus target—risk and reward at its finest.

A Special Moment: Bob Jacklin

This year’s event was made even more meaningful when Bob Jacklin joined us at the pond. Bob cast alongside participants, reminding us all why this pond bears his name, and shared stories that spanned decades of fly fishing history. To have an icon of our sport not only show up but step into the casting box was an honor for competitors and spectators alike. His presence underscored the connection between tradition, skill, and community that this event is built on. And yes, he still has it.

What We Saw

• Juniors – We had three talented youngsters step up this year. Their focus, enthusiasm, and growing skills gave us a glimpse of the future of fly fishing. Watching these kids improve and compete with confidence was a highlight. The future of our sport is alive and well in these young casters, and it was even better to see them encourage one another on every cast.
• Amateurs – Tight loops, steady nerves, and some real surprises made this division exciting to watch. Several new names emerged, proving that practice pays off—and showing just how supportive this community can be, with competitors cheering one another on.
• Pros – Guides, shop staff, instructors, and industry friends pushed the limits of accuracy and distance. The bar has never been higher, and the competition came down to a handful of points. Even at this level, the camaraderie was evident—pros offering tips, encouragement, and handshakes regardless of the outcome.

The true beauty of this event is in its ability to highlight both improvement and competition. We saw repeat participants with sharper accuracy, greater distances, and a deeper understanding of the cast. That progress tells the real story. Just as important, though, is how competitors support each other as anglers and casters—a reminder that while scores matter, community matters more.