![]() ![]() We have partners in Canada and South Africa that schedule and promote the shows in their country much the way we do here in the states, producing key events on their own, then helping local promoters bring the tour to towns they otherwise couldn’t reach.ĪBOVE A beautiful bird’s eye view captured during the filming of “Corazon” Mexico. But, the vast majority of the screenings are Affiliate events put on by conservation groups, charities, fly shops or local promoters who use the F3T as a fundraising opportunity and a chance to bring their local fishing community together around a fun event. Those are some of the larger shows Denver, Boulder, Bozeman, Missoula, Boise, Charleston, Nashville, etc. We plan and produce 35 to 40 screenings ourselves each year, with the help of a kick ass road crew that spends 6 to 10 weeks on the road. We’ve put a lot of work into this thing, but the size and scope of it is really a credit to motivated folks that host the F3T in communities across North America and now around the globe. This is a big tour, 150 screenings, some of them international, how’d you guys end up with showings in Belize and South Africa? Is the size of the tour a direct result of community enthusiasm? It’s difficult to strike a balance between entertainment and message, but I think they did a great job. They were able to pair humor and great fishing with the uncertain and difficult reality facing the Ozernaya river. They spent three weeks in Kamchatka with the goal of showing the unparalleled fishing there, but also the threats that poaching poses to some of the most pristine trout and salmon fisheries on the planet. “At the End of A Rainbow” by Peter Christensen and Rolf Nylinder is another one of my favorites. I’ve watched it at least 15 times and still get goosebumps. But the way those elements work together in the piece is what’s really remarkable. From a pure skill standpoint, the shooting, editing and musical score are all incredible. “120 Days” by Felt Soul Media, the guys who made “Red Gold,” “Eastern Rises” and “Damnation,” is one of the best films we’ve ever had. Which films really impressed you this year? We’ve had a film from RA Beattie each of the last 11 years and his piece this year, “Corazón,” is definitely one of his best.ĪBOVE On set for Felt Soul Media’s “120 Days.” Photo: Felt Soul Media A few of the filmmakers from the early days, including the crew that took that first tour on the road, are still as passionate about fly fishing film as they ever were and are regularly featured in the tour. The quality of the films has certainly improved, but the content is still made by anglers for anglers. This year the tour will screen in over 160 cities across the US, Canada, Europe and South Africa. Local, independent fly shops were the cornerstone of that first lap and continue to be our most important partners. That first tour went to a handful of fly shops by way of a borrowed Volvo and a flat screen TV from Best Buy that was returned at the end of the run. Sure, there were plenty of surf, ski and snowboard flicks out there, but fly fishing was still mainly found on Sunday afternoon TV. ![]() That said, the early work by AEG, World Angling, RA Beattie and others, spawned a whole new genre of outdoor film. The filmmakers wanted then, as they do now, to showcase places, people, stories and remarkable fishing, but their skills were pretty raw. The main differences are the quality of the films and the scope of the tour. The films themselves aren’t just grip and grin montages (though there’s some insane fish in this one), most are story-driven narratives that showcase unique characters and transport the viewer to waters across the globe.ġ1 years running, what’s different now, from year one and what remains the same? It’s a chance to swap stories about past days on the water and get excited about adventures still to come. But at it’s core it’s a party, a high-energy gathering of the angling tribe. On the surface the F3T is two hours of independent, short-format fly fishing films. The Flyfish Journal: For someone who has never been, what can they expect from the Fly Fishing Film Tour? ![]() We recently connected with F3T’s Ryan Thompson to get a little backstory on the tour, this year’s film offerings and what kind of raffle swag attendees can expect. And no matter what part of the country you call home, there’s probably a showing near you sometime soon. ![]() This year’s tour kicked off a few weeks ago and is now in full swing. What started out as small run of grassroots get-togethers at a few fly shops around the country, has grown into an international tour that showcases some of the most compelling filmmaking in fly fishing. For 11 years now The Fly Fishing Film Tour, or F3T, has been bringing anglers together to celebrate all things fishy. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |