We all know that fly fishing is one of the best ways to catch trout, bass and other species. But what about those days when our favorite stream or lake is too crowded? Or on days when we just need a little inspiration for new water?
We have compiled a list of 13 films from Amazon Prime, YouTube, Netflix, Vimeo and others that will help you get your fishing fix without going to the movies. Have your Mr. Popcorn bin or a mug of coffee ready and spend some time with a friend, other anglers or the family watching some of the best fishing movies.
1. Blue Charm with Ian Gordon
Where you can watch it
Amazon, YouTube and FishingTV
Runtime
1:24:16
About the film
Ian Gordon is a world-renowned Spey Casting champion and the creator of the Blue Charm fly fishing film that widely talks about salmon fishing. Ian perfected his skills on River Spey and is among the reputable coaches for salmon fishing.
In this rich film, Gordon goes through every aspect of salmon fly fishing. This includes tying flies, both single and double Spey casting, and gives a comprehensive outlook of fishing for salmon in Scotland.
2. Bluefin Tuna on the Fly
Where you can watch it
YouTube, Vimeo and Amazon
Runtime
59:02
About the movie
It must be fun seeing Bluefin tuna going after flies on the ocean-this is what you see when you press the play button of this film. Locals in this fly fishing movie are catching these chaps on fly rods and the strength of these fish is what will shock you.
BFT Media, the creators of the movie have their descriptions in French but thanks to Google Translators, nothing is impossible. The movie shows the different fly angling techniques to land Bluefin tuna but what excites most viewers is the light techniques used on these powerful big buddies.
3. Only The River Knows by Lars Lenth, Mikkel Poppelhoj, and Rolf Nylinder
Where you can watch it
Vimeo, Amazon and YouTube
Runtime
1:23:29
About the movie
The movie won the Best Movie and Best Story of All Times in the Drake Awards 2013 and our review agrees to love this story. Anglers can get fictitious and this film tries to differentiate the facts from the fiction in their minds. Rolf Nylinder loses his way in the backcountry of New Zealand.
In his trip, he lands on a journal belonging to Lars Lenth who is a legendary fly angler. Rolf is intrigued by it and pursues what’s in the journal-finding monster trout residing in the Lethe River. Catching one on the fly is his worst predicament.
4. Providence by Confluence Films Production
Where you can watch it
Vimeo, YouTube, Amazon and FishingTV
Runtime
1:10:21
About the film
Confluence Films Production shot this as their 5th film that takes you through the adventures of saltwater fly fishing. The location is the famous Providence Atoll in Seychelles. Some years back, the waters were completely closed for fishing for a few years as it was threatened by invasion by Somali pirates.
The film was shot in 2015 and the waters had become virgin and their encounters were those that hadn’t been documented before in that location. Some of the flat species they caught were Bumphead parrotfish, milkfish, triggerfish, bonefish, Bluefin Trevally, Giant Trevally, and many more.
5. Chalk by Bedrock of Fly Fishing
Where you can watch it
YouTube and FishingTV
Runtime
1:27:50
About the movie
Chalkstreams in England are associated with so many names. And the film shows the life of these streams in England. This begins from their creation forms and how they have impacted fly angling.
You will meet anglers who care for and fish in these streams. You will see the team travelling to wild, less-adventured rivers and streams and the popular mayfly hatch. You get to learn some of the challenges that affect such delicate areas. This story has many great moments we like. Let us know, if you search for and could not find it.
6. Where the Yellowstone Goes
Where you can watch it
Amazon, YouTube and Vimeo
Runtime
1:28:09
About the movie
If you are a lover of long fishing trips to the wilderness, this movie will interest you. It follows a drift boat angling journey that lasts 30 days on the longest river without a dam in the USA. You will enjoy viewing the life and stories of residents who reside in towns near and along the famous Yellowstone River. Of course, they like fly fishing in montana!
It shows the outlook of the river illustrating its history and the controversies that surround the river. Also, you get to hear the possible questions about the river’s future. It basically is a river fly fishing adventure.
7. Tributaries
Where you can watch it
YouTube and Vimeo
Runtime
20:24
About the film
R.C. Cone and his colleagues showed how fly fishing is a world unifier. The characters take on a journey of unveiling the harmony of various communities, cultures, waters, and their people. There are three guides each has his own experience that contrasts the other.
You get to learn what it means to be a trout bum in Patagonia, a flats drifter in the Bahamas, and a Viking from Iceland, all in 20 short minutes. Their stories and experiences will in the end merge into one as what links them is the sport and the water.
8. Rise by Confluence Films Production
Where you can watch it
Vimeo, YouTube, Amazon and FishingTV
Runtime
1:19:22
About the movie
Rise was shot in six locations commencing in Florida for tarpon then to Patagonia for trophy rainbows. If you heard about how redfish fishing was affected in Louisiana after the Katrina hurricane, this is the next stop as the crew explores the estuaries here for even better deals than there were before.
You get to see Henry’s Fork of the Snake River for some dry fly fishing action. Los Roques in Venezuela is next for some good bonefish. Ending in Alaska, there is so much to learn about the world for the whole family from young to old from the fly fishing movie.
9. Atlantic Salmon Lost at Sea
Where you can watch it
YouTube, Amazon, Vimeo and FishingTV
Runtime
55:26
About the documentary
It took about six years to make the film making it a sort of fly fishing documentary. The film shows the investigative process and results of the happenings to young salmon after exiting the rivers and their journeys to the sea. It was shot both on land and in the water of various locations.
You get an explanation of the reasons for the reduction in the population of the wild Atlantic salmon and understand the ways forward from the suggestions aired. It offers one of the best views into the life of a fish and we love it for the world it could show.
10. Stripped Down
Where you can watch it
Vimeo, YouTube and Amazon
Runtime
4 hours
About the documentary
The Jensen Family has fished for all sizes of brown trout for over 13 years on many a fishing trip. The documentary explains the behavioral tendencies of these fish, their fundamentals, dietary habits, and rounded up in 8 episodes, the trout project is complete.
Each episode comes in a short length, making this documentary a great choice to be watched when you are looking for a short beautiful story in bite-sized videos. The repetitions in the characters of the browns were a major influence in the conclusion of this documentary from the Jensen Family.
11. Back Country North Island by Gin Clear Media
Where you can watch it
YouTube, Vimeo and Amazon
Runtime
49 minutes
About the film
If you have toured New Zealand and tested its waters with your fly rod, you will agree that this is a haven for fly fishing. The trout man will take this as his paradise because of the trophies and large numbers that come out of here.
The film shows the experiences of seven fly anglers on the North Island in New Zealand. They are combing the backcountry and exploring the gin-clear rivers and streams for large trout and next to friendship, that is exactly what they find.
12. Eastern Rises by Felt Soul Media
Where you can watch it
Vimeo, YouTube and Amazon
Runtime
39 minutes
About the film
The Kamchatka’s eastern peninsula might not be a place to be considered by most anglers for fly fishing. If you haven’t been here, move along with Ben Knight and his crew as they explore its waters on a memorable fishing trip.
They meet a group of Russians and watching as they handle them will be your judgment. See how bears can be unbearable on your journey and the trout you can catch on a mice fly that resembles fur balls.
13. The Birth of Big Game Fishing – Silver King
Where you can watch it
YouTube, PBS and Amazon
Runtime
57 minutes
About the film
Over a century ago, the news was flooded by the spectacular catch at Tarpon Bay in Sanibel Island. This changed sport fishing as a mighty tarpon that was silver-sided was caught of a fly fishing combo.
Anglers and water sportsmen started flocking Southwest Florida as the catch lured presidents and other celebrities to this site. This is what revolutionized this state into the home of big game fly fishing.
Conclusion
Fly fishing is a beautiful sport, and the best way to experience it is through film. There are so many great movies out there that capture this wonderful activity in all its glory! We’ve put together our list of 13 fly fishing films for you.
They aren’t in any order of popularity, viewership, or rating. Some are out on DVDs while others aren’t. Some can be streamed on YouTube while others can be purchased on Amazon Prime. But don’t forget about your favorites. What’s on YOUR list of top fly fishing movies or best fishing movies in general?
