A young fly fishing champion is off to the Czech Republic to take part in the world championships.

When 17-year-old Thomas Gott, of Bradley near Skipton, isn’t studying at Craven College he’s travelling the country to take part in competitions.

And next month he will be part of the six-strong England team taking part in the world championships in the Eastern European country.

Thomas took up fishing when he was four and by the time he was 12 had progressed to fly fishing. He also ties his own flies and has even given demonstrations.

He said: “I started fly-tying after being encouraged by the England Youth Fly Fishing Association to tie my own and have since picked up lots of tips from the Craven Dressers Guild.”

Last year, he became the English Youth Fly-Fishing Association (EYFA) loch-style champion and was part of the English squad that won a bronze medal at the world championships in the Czech Republic. His mother Mandy Gott said all the young people and parents played a big part in fundraising.

She said: “Unfortunately, the EYFA will not be able to raise all the funds for the six members of the world squad.

“It will cost around £1,600 for the entrance fees, flights, accommodation and meals for ten days and transport.”

To find out more about fly fishing and how to help the world squad, go to the EYFA website at eyfa.co.uk.