Most fishing film tours start with a big budget and a big brand. The Montana Fishing Film Festival started with a camera bought from a warehouse store, used for ten days, and returned because everyone was broke. On Episode 60 we sat down with its owner to hear how that scrappy beginning turned into a multi-state tour, and what he looks for in a film. If you have ever wanted to film your own fishing trips, there is a lot to steal here.
From holding the camera to running a tour
Our guest began by filming trips on a Maryland tailwater with a friend, then moved to Montana and kept holding the camera for other friends who were shooting action-cam footage. Their first real production, a film called 10 Days, was shot on a borrowed setup while the guides in the group had finished their season. It was not polished enough for the larger film tours, so they rented a small venue in Missoula, sold tickets through local fly shops, and ended up hauling in extra chairs as the crowd outgrew the room. That first night showed there was an appetite for locally made fishing films. The festival has since grown to dozens of stops across several states in the Rocky Mountains and Northwest.
What makes a film belong on the tour
The submission rule is simple: unpretentious people fishing close to home. Our guest, who is also a working filmmaker, values story over production value. He would rather screen a film shot on an action camera that lets the audience feel like they were there and get to know the people in it than a gorgeous 12K film that is ten minutes of music and drone shots. The first films were modeled loosely on ski and surf movies, where each person gets a part, but with fishing instead of cliff drops.
Practical takeaways if you want to film your own trips
Start with the gear you have. Pick one person or one fishery and tell a small story about it. Capture the moments around the fishing, such as the drive, the weather, and the conversations, because those are what an audience remembers. And plan your edit before the trip so you shoot with an ending in mind.
Time on the water beats chasing sponsors
The conversation turned to a theme every new angler should hear. Some newcomers set a goal of becoming an ambassador before they have given years to the sport, but those opportunities tend to come with time spent fishing, guiding, and learning. There is no shortcut, and no fitness test for who is the better angler. He was also candid that the mainstream fly industry has been slow to back independent film efforts, and that the festival survives on its audience, local shops, and a few committed partners. A community fishing film night is a good reminder of why we do this: a parent and an eight-year-old leaving a screening talking about the river they fish together on weekends.
How to support your local scene
If a film tour comes through your area, buy a ticket through your local fly shop, bring a friend who is new to fishing, and consider submitting your own short film next year. Independent tours exist because people show up.
Gear
The best film gear is whatever you will actually carry on the river, so a small action camera and a spare battery go a long way. For the early starts and the editing sessions that follow, the FFIP Anglers Coffee Mug is a fitting companion, and for long days in the sun, our Five Panel Cap keeps the glare down. For a camera, mount, or drift boat setup, ask at your local fly shop.
