Welcome to another edition of the OrvisNews.com Friday Film Festival, in which we scour the web for the best fly-fishing footage available. I’m on vacation this week, so we’re offering up a “Best Of” version of the FFF, in which we feature some of the best films from the early days of the blog–some from previous FFFs and some not. Putting these festivals together is the highlight of my week, and I expecially enjoy when I stumble on something really remarkable that I know will blow your mind and get you thinking about time on the water. Thanks to all the great filmmakers, amateur and professional alike, who have provided us with all these months of great entertainment. Remember, we surf so you don’t have to. But if you do stumble upon something great that you think is worthy of inclusion in a future FFF, please post it in the comments below. See you next week with a fresh set of films!
Grant Wiswell’s great film on dorado fishing in Bolivia might have you checking flights to South America.
90 minutes from Dave Jensen on Vimeo.
Here’s an epic story of man vs. fish, in which an angler works a fish for an hour and half and changes flies more times than you’ll believe. Does he catch it? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Small stream fly fishing from rummutt on Vimeo.
Our first film from Romania features some great footage of small-stream fishing. The trout themselves are spectacular—not large, but with amazing red spots, even on their fins.
The Shadow of the Town Bridge from Matt Dunkinson on Vimeo.
Our friend Matt Dunkinson from across the Pond—whose River Test video we featured back in October—sent me a link to a new video he’s made. It starts off as pretty standard fare—although the images and cinematography are quite lovely—but then there’s a hint that things might not be as you think they are. (Can you guess what I’m talking about?) But, you know. . . there’s a nice river, a old bridge, and a fly fisherman, so you don’t think much about it. But, at about the :50 mark, something happens that causes you to rethink the whole deal. Then the fun begins.
Guides Day from SHALLOW WATER EXPEDITIONS on Vimeo.
If you’ve never really thought much about casting flies for redfish, be prepared for that to change. This gorgeous video from Florida Panhandle-based guide David Mangum features stunning morning light, footage of redfish frolicking in water that barely covers their backs, and the excitement of angling failure and then redemption. I’ve cast to redfish just once in my angling career, but this video has moved the species higher up on my “To Do Soon” list.
Trout takes from RA Beattie on Vimeo.
Lower 48- A Fly Fishing Film from Matt Lenz on Vimeo.
Here’s a cool video argument for why you don’t have to leave the Good Ol’ U.S. of A. to find some world-class fly fishing. From Colorado tailwaters to the tarpon flats, the Trophy Stalkers find the big ones.