As some of you may remember, I started a short lesson plan for 7 to 9 year old kids last year and presented at a local school. Well, I’m back at it this year and got another opportunity to introduce fly-fishing to 2 classes today. With new help from The Greenbacks from Colorado Trout Unlimited, I was able to say a little more about keeping our rivers healthy and stable. But you know kids, they wanted bugs! So, the boxes of big nasty critters came out and were passed around the room.

Since they had only read an illustrated book called ‘River Dream’, they were also very intrigued by the Film Tour Trailer from Reel Escape Films’, In the Land of the Cutthroats. Lastly, the great coloring book from Fishy Kid was handed out, along with the trout cards and magnets from Trout Unlimited.

I’m really starting to think about taking kids outside and have them cast a rod. Any thoughts out there on that? I may need a few more helpers to control 30 kids with rods and reels. Don’t worry, no hooks involved.

Thanks again to Fishy Kid, Colorado Trout Unlimited, and Reel Escape Films. Please contact me directly if you would like to provide swag to the kids, as I’m really looking forward to doing more of these classes this spring.

So, I’m getting geared up to show a quick video, share some bugs, rod and reel, and leave them with a coloring book. Honestly, I’m not sure of the attention span for this age group, but hopefully things will go smoothly and I’ll leave them wanting to really go out a fish.

I would like to personally thank Umpqua Feather Merchants for providing some flies, Fishy Kid for providing the coloring book, Nick Clement from Reel Escape Films, and Ross Reels for providing the awesome Vexsis reel.

If you have any other suggestion, don’t hesitate to comment. Thanks!

Here’s the back cover synopsis:

“In the Land of the Cutthroats tells the story of three native trout species that evolved along the Continental Divide in Colorado. From ancient beginnings to tepid coastal waters, the wayfaring cutthroats found their way to the loftiest slopes of the Rocky Mountains and into the hears of modern fly fishers. After a medley of outstanding mountain scenery, cutthroat trout, mayflies, and cutting-edge time-lapse photography, the film takes views to a high-mountain lake for action packed angling for greenback cutthroat trout.”

As you all know, I like edgy, dangerous films that push the limit. And even though this film didn’t hit me in that way, it’s an extremely beautiful look into high-alpine cutthroat trout. From the amazing close shots of an adult mayfly, to the trout constantly feeding on them, this film has some of the best shots I’ve seen – both under the water and above the water.

What you’re looking at while watching this movie is the beauty of the Colorado’s high-alpine, the aquatic species that live there, the trout that feed on them, and just shear genuine filming technique at it’s best. I haven’t seen so many feeding trout shots in 20 minutes that I have in this film. A lot of time and patience must have been spent in this production. There no question in my mind that this should be considered for the Cinematography award in this year’s Drake Awards.

The DVD includes the Theatrical Cut, Full Trailer, a Time-Lapse Reel (awesome), a Hungry Fish Reel, the Fly-Fishing Film Tour Trailer, as well as the the Film Tour Cut.

For a copy, you can Contact Nick Clement at Reel Escape Films- the store on the site will be up soon!

I arrived at the hotel and began my preparing for my presentation of Red Gold that evening. This was a last-minute gig, but was pleasantly surprised with about 20 people filled the room to watch the film and ask questions. Pat and Carol Oglesby gave me a warm welcome and introduced me to the crowd. After the movie, the attendees were very impressed with Felt Soul’s work and had so many questions (most of which I could luckily answer).

As my buddy Geoff from Ross Reels and I woke from a night of gorilla marketing, I found even more people pulling me aside to ask questions about the proposed pebble mine in SW Alaska. The genuine interest and concern was absolutely great!

The Western Colorado Fly-Fishing Expo is in it’s 12th year. This year focused primarily on introducing kids to the sport of angling and hosted fly-tiers from all over. It was awesome to see the turnout and just how many kids were interested in learning how to cast and tie flies. The next generation of our sport, right in front of my eyes.

While the show went great, Geoff and I decided to depart mid-afternoon and head for Glenwood Springs to prepare for a day on the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork rivers. We grabbed a small room, and then headed for a local showing of the Fly Fishing Film Tour hosted by Nick Clement of Reel Escape Films. The showing was not as large or rowdy as the Denver one, but it was great to meet Nick and other local anglers (not to mention watching some more fish-porn).

Geoff and I woke the next morning, grabbed some coffee and headed up the canyon to fish the Pan. The ‘Toilet-Bowl’, as they call it, was full of feeding bows, but they didn’t like my flies. Geoff landed a few, but it was tough going and disappointing because of all the fish we could see. Nevertheless, we headed down river, found a little spot with no anglers and just started absolutely killing the river on tiny zebra midges. Every other cast had one hooked, and we landed most. Small fish, but plenty of them!

Our last stop of the day was the Fork outside of Basalt. The flows had jumped from early morning when we passed, but we threw on some stones and went for some bigger fish. I only landed one more, but it was a nice brown holding just below a run in slow water. Geoff landed a nice whitefish in the fast water, but by that time we were beat and called it a day. Parting to opposite sides of the state, we drove off from the rivers and back to the working life that awaited.

Brought to you by Reel Escape Films on Colorado water.

In the Land of the Cutthroats – Trailer