Fly fishing tournament reels in the funds for Wyoming charities

Two Fly Foundation hooks participants again after one-year COVID hiatus

Year-round, the North Platte River traverses Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, providing a vital drinking source and an outlet for water activities.

But every year around May, for one weekend, a special group of fly fishers come together to raise enormous funds for state charities—and have one heck of a time doing it.

“There’s seven of us on the board, all focused on this annual tournament,” says Kim DeVore, board member for Two Fly Foundation. “We make sure our attendees have a great time, enjoy themselves, and that they donate a lot of money.”

Based out of Casper, WY, Two Fly invites representatives of the North American energy industry, as it’s one of the major industries in the state. The yearly wait list Two Fly receives certainly demonstrates the quality of the event.

Two Fly Foundation was born in 2005 by energy industry executives in Casper as a way of giving back to the community, and keeping more of the profits that are made in Wyoming, in Wyoming.

“Our goal every year is to do right by the charities and represent them well,” says DeVore. “We want to make sure that when everyone leaves, they are already talking about how they can’t wait to come back next year.”

One might say the organization’s efforts have gone swimmingly, donating more than $2.38 million to 27 unique charities in 16 years of operation.

One hundred percent of the funds are donated, with half going to the selected primary charity, 35% to a secondary charity, and the remaining 15% given to the Platte River Revival.

Complete with a banquet, auction, and two-day competition, roughly 30 boats of two anglers each compete for fishing gear, prizes and bragging rights. If the participants want to use more than the two flies they’re allotted, they can contribute more to the donation fund to keep going.