If you’re thinking this is really early in the year for film fest season to begin, then think again, because F3T in 2025 is here. The South African circuit for the F3T Fly Fishing Film Festival is upon us with the organisers having moved it from the middle of winter to March and April. As the 19th annual (yes, 19th) Fly Fishing Film Tour rolls into Mother Africa, at very least you can expect almost pornographic fly fishing footage (of fish), excellent story-telling and deep dives into the brilliant characters found in the fly fishing world. To get the juices flowing, check out the sizzle reel below.

WHAT YOU WILL BE WATCHING

A couple of films we have highlighted from this year’s lineup includes heavy hitter RA Beattie’s The Hard Way, which follows guide and river steward Matt Mendes, in a story about resilience, tradition, and the reward of doing things the hard way. Then we have Bumpyland straight from Providence Atoll where Helmut Zaderer targets a species that’s eluded him for a long time; and Shadow People At The Falls featuring arapaima, peacock bass, arowana, payara and the indigenous tribes of Guyana. As for the rest of the films, you can watch each individual trailer below.

WHERE TO WATCH

Johannesburg – 23 March, Lanseria Country Estate. 4pm show. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Johannesburg – 23 March, Lanseria Country Estate. 7pm show. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Pietermaritzburg – 24 March, Midlands CineCentre. 7pm show. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Cape Town – 27 March, The Labia Cinema, Gardens. 8.30pm show. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Johannesburg – 24 April, Cine-centre Killarney. 7pm show. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Durban – 24 April, Sun Coast Cinecentre. 7pm show. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Cape Town – 24 April, The Labia Cinema, Gardens. 8.30pm show. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

For the latest updates go to flyfilmtour.com or follow them on social at @flyfishingfilmtour

Dan’s Pain 2

Filmmaker: Ben Meadows

“Everyone loves Dan. He’s hard working. Family-focused. But like we saw in his first F3T Film – Dan can’t catch a break… or a fish. Prepare yourself for his most ambitious plan ever. He’ll flip the script on his cursed ways and go for the hardest fish in fly fishing to hook. He’s made 10,000 casts in futility already… what are 10,000 more? Good thing the musky legend, Blane Chocklett is stepping into the boat. Finally. Dan has a chance”

The Hard Way

Filmmaker: RA Beattie

“This film is a celebration of the Deschutes River’s raw beauty, relentless challenges, and the deep connections formed between its waters and the people who depend on it. Featuring the remarkable story of guide and river steward Matt Mendes, this is a story about resilience, tradition, and the reward of doing things the hard way.”

This is Captain Lacey Kelly | Get After It Series

Filmmaker: RC Cone/ Andrew Ries

“In the heart of ‘The Fishing Capital of the World’, Florida boasts some of the most abundant fishing anywhere on the planet. But the team @deckedusa wanted to go beyond the iconic waters of the Florida Keys and spotlight something different—ambassador Captain Lacey Kelly and her program in western Florida.

Through Lacey’s life as a guide, her passion for the fish, the water, and preserving this unique part of Florida shines brightly—making her the perfect person to represent not just Florida fishing, but a legacy worth telling.”

SHOP THE MISSION

Bumpyland

Filmmaker: Helmut Zaderer

“Helmut Zaderer, a passionate fly fisherman, has explored fishing destinations all over the world. Yet one elusive species has always been missing from his bucket list: the bumphead parrotfish. ‘Bumpyland’ takes viewers to Providence Atoll, a remote and rugged paradise where these extraordinary fish thrive. Known for their immense size, vibrant colors, and sheer power, bumpheads are the ultimate test for any angler.”

Left Field

Filmmaker: Tyler Soares

“Left Field follows Eli Lorg, a former baseball player whose promising career was derailed by injury. After hitting rock bottom, Eli fought his way back through fly fishing, defying the odds to build a life he never thought he deserved. Now living out west with his family, he’s determined to embrace every day as a new challenge, proving to his kids—and himself—that redemption isn’t just about second chances but about the way you choose to live them. Left Field is a story of resilience, fatherhood, and the transformative power of self-forgiveness.”

Shadow People at the Falls

Filmmaker: Jesse Males

“The film follows April and Sam as they explore the remote fishery in Guyana and target arapaima, peacock bass, arowana, and payara. The narrative follows them along the journey while shining light on the uncontacted tribes that are still living in the area.”

Streamers, Steamers & Struggles on the Krka

Filmmaker: Rok Rozman/Rožle Bregar

“Four kayakers (ab)use rafting as a means to catch fish on Slovenia’s chalk stream called Krka. Casting flies amongst castles and cattails, this became the arena for a gruelling competition that applied pressure of all kinds.”

Mouse Trap

Filmmaker: Jack Beaudoin

“Trout fishing can be hard enough as it is…so why not do it blindfolded? Follow as fly guide, Westley Allen and Trevor Joslin of Stealthcraft boats brave the graveyard shift for two weeks in a pitch black, sensory deprived & hellbent mission to catch the biggest brown trout of their lives…”

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Echoes in the Tundra

Filmmaker: Hooké

“In this adventure film by Hooké, Fred Campbell returns to Nunavik five years after his last visit. In autumn, amidst breathtaking wild landscapes, he explores the Leaf River, a place where Atlantic salmon return every year to spawn. The territory and the salmon transform under spectacular colors, while caribou migrate through these preserved surroundings.”

King of Color

“David Danforth aka The King of Color, leads a crew of close talented angler friends on an epic journey through Costa Rica, Belize, and Mexico.A global unit Mia and Morgan from Belize, Chuck from Costa Rica, Christian and Austin from the USA submerge themselves in native fisheries over the endless summer of fly fishing.”

Iconic Rises

Filmmaker: Anthony Swentosky

“Told from the perspective of 3rd generation Jackson Hole fly fishing guide Boots Allen, Iconic Rises conveys the reverence the local community has for the native Snake River Fine Spotted Cutthroat Trout and the upper Snake River fishery.”

Cosmoledo

Filmmaker: Fly Fishing Nation

“‘Cosmoledo’ is Fly Fishing Nation and Blue Safari Seychelles’ second film that explores the Outer Atolls of the Seychelles, following the award-winning short film “Farquhar.” This captivating documentary delves into the evolution of Cosmoledo Atoll, a story that began with exploration and the hope for a bounty of fly fishing opportunities. What was discovered surpassed all expectations. While there are numerous places to catch Giant Trevally, few offer the thrill of doing it on the fly, and none with such numbers.”

Raja Kaloi

Filmmaker: Ryan McGinnis

“Fishing explorer Capt. Austin V Kane tells his story about visiting the jungles of Kalimantan and the allure of the Red Kaloi – a fish few have ever caught on fly.”

Backyard Bronze

Filmmaker: Mike Thienes/Rubinski Visual

“Midwest based artist Jake Keeler and photographer T.C. Worley are out to document the smallmouth playground of Jake’s backyard, the Upper Mississippi River.

“Many have to search far and wide to find quality smallmouth fishing; for Jake and T.C., exploring Jake’s childhood haunts and overlooked spots provides endless opportunities on world class water.

“The late Summer brings a chance to meet these bronze bombers on their turf without long drives, flights, logistics, or even boats. Backyard Bronze is a love-letter of sorts to smallmouth and this epic fishery!”

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Meko

Filmmaker: Harrison Buck

“Meko is a visually stunning, carbon-neutral documentary by Harrison Buck that explores the resilience of Bahamian fly fishing guide Omeko “Meko” Glinton and his community in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, offering an intimate look at the macro-effects of climate change on delicate coastal ecosystems and the potential of fly fishing as a path to sustainability.”

Where I’m Meant to Be

Filmmaker: Andrew Krantz

“This is a story about identity, belonging, and rediscovery. For Oregon local Megan Brown, figure skating was her entire world—until she left it behind, struggling to redefine herself and find meaning in a life without her lifelong passion. After years of searching, she found her new purpose in fly fishing, a pursuit that mirrored the connection she once felt on the ice. Where I’m Meant to Be explores how who we are and where we belong evolve over time, and the courage it takes to trust ourselves and embrace the present when our life’s purpose is recast.”

Buo Apjo

Filmmaker: Thomas Enderlin

“Deep in the jungles of Eastern Colombia, a myriad of rivers languidly creep through the landscape like giant anacondas, carving out winding bends and leaving behind oxbow lakes and lagoons as they slowly shift through geologic time. These backwater rivers brim with aquatic life, and the top of that food chain is a predatory fish of legends – Cichla temensis or the speckled peacock bass.

“Once the haunts of Pablo Escobar and anti-government guerrilla forces, these prolific waters have recently been passed back to the indigenous Piaroa communities who inhabit their banks. This new regime of conservation-minded stewards has opened the doors for international visitors, including anglers who have started to voyage into the heart of this wilderness in hopes of an encounter with one of the giant multi-colored cichlids that call these waters home. This film documents the community’s unique connection with nature, their traditional way of life, and how they are adapting to a new future by implementing sustainable tourism practices via fly fishing. The story of the Rio Mataven is told through the voice of one of the Piaroa leaders (in Piaroa language) and several other key characters (Spanish and English).”

Hokkaido – The Hidden Gem of Fly Fishing

Filmmaker: Gregory Dolet

“Exploring the world class sight fishing in Hokkaido with a string of cultural elements.”

Hooked

Filmmaker: Henry Smith

“Hooked unpacks the fabled question – amongst the madness of life, why are we obsessed with fly fishing? Jeff Forsee is a fanatic fly fishing guide, and now with a young family, he must find balance between treasured family time and his lifelong pursuit of trout. The film explores the story of obsession and balance against the blue ribbon trout fishery of New Zealand’s South Island.”

If youre intro reading, check out The Mission Issue 49 (Jan/Feb 2025). Read the whole thing below, for free, forever.