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No matter how hard I try to explain my passion for “fly fishing” and all of the reasons why I spend so much time on the rivers and oceans; it seems that non-fishing friends and family never really truly “get it.” I have been a “fish head” and totally consumed with fishing for as long as I can remember. Like many other “fish heads” I have basically been addicted to “all” forms of fishing at one time or another. Bobbers and worms, artificial lures, clamming, spear fishing, crabbing, trolling, fly fishing, dragging giant off shore nets for cod, long lining in the Gulf Stream for swordfish, gillnetting salmon, etc. These days, and for the past 12 years or so, I have been totally immersed and spend all of my fishing time fly fishing. Why? Because, for me, fly fishing offers a “total fishing package” that other forms of fishing do not. First and foremost, the environments that fly fishing brings me are nothing short of awe inspiring. Whether it be a small remote trout stream tumbling down the Blue Ridge Mountains or an ocean reef 20 miles off-shore; these types of fly fishing locations provide me with an escape from the hype and hectic nature of modern day life. Fly fishing is also very simple. No tackle box or bait is required, just a little box of feathers and a fly rod that stays strung up in my car or packs easily into a suitcase. Theoretically speaking, I can fly fish a local stocked stream during lunch or go on a week long fly fishing adventure to Australia. Either way, I get my fix of beautiful natural imagery and an escape from everything. Fly fishing, for me, is definitely not about catching big fish, lots of fish or keeping fish. I release all the fish I catch and a 12” brook trout, relatively speaking, can be just as big of a fish as a 300 pound bluefin tuna. I can go fly fishing alone and find extreme solitude or with a bunch of close fly fishing friends and find comradery. I can and do fly fish for every species of fish imaginable in tiny streams, giant rivers, saltwater flats and way off-shore in the oceans “blue water.” Fly fishing is about traveling and exploring new towns, cities, states and countries. Fly fishing is about meeting new people and learning the traditions of new and sometimes exotic cultures. The fish and the act of fly fishing are simply the reason for going in the first place, but the memories often have less to do with fishing and more to do with the people and the cultures and the natural wonders that I experience. Fly fishing is also an individual game and sport and much like other individual sports, the only competition is with myself. If it were just about catching fish “any old way” than I would simply hop back on a commercial dragger and catch 10’s of thousands of pounds of fish per trip. These days, I enjoy “the dance” between fish and fly. I love the concept of being surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural wonders that the earth has to offer while trying to trick fish with nothing more than some feathers on a hook. Oh ya, and how could I forget the fish! More often than not, I am drawn to fish that peak my interest in terms of their beauty and/or their unique nature. Brook trout, for example, are some of the most beautiful species of fish I have ever seen. I thoroughly enjoy seeing a picture of a fish that I have never caught or seen and making that my next “target.” With something like 26,000 species of fish in both fresh and saltwater, it’s a game that I can never truly win. I will be long gone before catching or even having a chance to cast flies to all of those fish; but I will try my best to explore as much as humanly possible and experience as many of those fish as I can in my lifetime. Anyway, the point of this story is that I still can’t believe that my so many of my non-fishing friends and family members still ask me, “What do you do out there all day?” I recently realized that fly fishing is much like golf in certain respects. Both sports are ultimately individual sports. Both sports can be enjoyed alone or with friends and I know some guys that are equally as obsessed and addicted to golf as I am with fly fishing. So, what is the difference? How come nobody asks the golf addict, “What do you do out there all day?” I think I recently realized a partial answer to this question. The golf course is in plain view, often right across from the shopping mall. So, even though non-golfers don’t spend time golfing or on the golf course it is still very easy for them to comprehend because the course and their “golf addict” can always be found right down the road at the clubhouse. Fly fishing is more of a niche sport and part of the allure of fly fishing is the fact that it involves going to places that are often far away from “plain view.” Generally speaking, fly fisherman do not seek out places with lots of development and “club houses” and those types of things. Fly fisherman tend to dream about and seek out environments with very few (if any) people, no development and nothing but vast amounts of natural wonders. So, I spent a lot of time putting this article and video together as a means to, once again, try to explain to my non-fishing friends and family “what we do out there all day.” I know that they will never really “get it” but perhaps this little 4 minute video will stop them from bugging me and asking me (as though I had three heads) “why are you going fly fishing again?” I tried to piece together this video in a way that tries to convey all of the amazing imagery we see while fly fishing on the rivers and oceans. I also tried to use only pieces of film with the best light and intertwine pieces of film that capture the essence and the feeling of “what we do out there.” I also tried to make this little video less about the actual people who are fishing in the video and more about using certain video shots as a means to transfer the actual feeling of fly fishing to those that do and don’t fly fish. This little 4 minute video includes some of the best of the best shots that me and my fly fishing buddies captured throughout the course of 2009. The clips are strung together in a way that aim to make the viewer (you) feel like you are the one on the bow or in the river fly fishing. I hope all of you as fly fisherman are able to feel at least a little something when viewing the video because if you can feel it, there’s a good chance that non-fly-fishing folks will feel it too and finally stop asking me, “what do you do out there?”
One of your best songs Jer! And, love the fantastic HD footage – makes me want to even fish! xo
Great stuff buddy. I like the song and the Vid was killer. I forget how pretty those Maine Brookies are, I used to take them for granted when they were only 20 mins from the shack. Now they are few and far between for me. Love the shot of the light coming thru the trees onto the river. Need to fish with the team again soon, been too long. Thanks for giving me a glimpse off the bow. Cheers
jmac
I could feel the warm Sun, see through the water as if I were standing on the bow or wading in the river. The steady, continuous, smooth changes in surrounding, fish, without any distraction gave me goose bumps! If one knows the passion, then this video gives you a feeling of actually being there!! This I would like to see in I Max.
Your story is excellent and in the end answers the “what do you do all day”. This is a question from someone who looks at a Brookie and only sees a fish! The effort to string this all together must have been monumental. Great read and super video, thanks.
Nice vid Jeremy! Made me feel like I was there. It offered a glimpse into what we as fishermen see when we are “out there”. Sweet song too. -Ed
Oh wow, way to pull it together. I think it’s a great visual journey through the fly fisher’s eyes. ditto on what joey ssaid about that shot with the light coming through the canopy…stellar!
Awesome video my friend, very well done! That HD truly came through incredibly! I was fishing again the whole time watching it and I want to be back out there right now. Like we talked about it takes a lot to get the gold from both fishing and video shooting perspective and there is some serious gold in this! Good story as well, there are many people in my life that may never really understand, but this video can definitely give them a taste of the amazing things and places that we see out there. Fly fishing for me has always been the one thing in my life that I can count on and focus on and that takes me away from everything and brings me to a place where everything in the world is right and love how you said it here…”Either way, I get my fix of beautiful natural imagery and an escape from everything.” exactly and also here: “Fly fishing is also an individual game and sport and much like other individual sports, the only competition is with myself.” I have never been much into team sports but always gravitated to things where I was pitted against myself and fly fishing was something that I could do that constantly challenged and rewarded me and I could do whether or not anybody else would go. I do value the time that I spend with others on the stream more and more and when you can share it with somebody else that has the same passion it takes it to another level and provides even greater satisfaction. Fly fishing is an amazing thing and it is hard to explain all of what makes it so amazing but this video definitely is a window in to it. Nice work.
WOW…Jeremy this is the best video to date. Nice work!
Amazing Footage Guys…Super Impressive!
My favorite thing about fly fishing is in “being there” and after watching this on the Big Screen I WAS there again for 4minutes and 21 seconds. Thanks for the ride.
Incredible!
Incredible video! One of the best! The HD footage takes it to a whole new level, there wasn’t a single moment where i didn’t feel like i was right along with you on the water…..great work jeremy!!!!!! I can only imagine what 2010 will be like for fliesandfins.com!!!
Wow! I know that we had some back-and-forth exchange about HD over on Facebook. All I can say is that this HD video is amazing! Jeremy, you have taken this to the next level. The colors seem more vivid, the clarity is phenomenal.
I love it!
Dave
As far as I can remember your idea for a year end video started in like 2005. A bunch of time has gone by since then, but in that time we have both worked really hard to learn more about the things we love. I knew that you really enjoyed making your video throughout the year. I just didn’t know you liked it enough to take it to this kind of level. It absolutely moved me, especially since we get to share some of the memories together as we fished together last year more than usual. I only have one question…where did you find the time to get it done?
Robin and I were wondering when you were going to start releasing all that great footage we know he has got in the can…Epic shots my man epic shots!
Keep it up…you’re helping us get through the cold.
Jer , just amazing bro, the video and song…I love seeing the albies feeding the way we like um, high def is in insane… cheers man and hope to see you all soon..another incredible year…
Thanks Keel! .. Appreciate that! I think 2010 is going to be the year for you to put down the book on the side of the river or at the beach and take a few casts!
Thanks Ed! Wish we would have gotten a chance to fish together in 09 as much as we did in 08 .. but, as you well know, things change year to year and all sorts of things either enable us to fish more or less … Either way is fine with me, as long as we get out there at least a couple times. And, we did do that this year. I got some great footage from those days this summer when the fog was so thick that we couldn’t LOOK for the stripers, we had to LISTEN for them — that was cool. Stay tuned, cuz I am in the process of cutting some of that stuff up. There was some great eats on those gurglers. Hey, its not like the seasons over for stripers .. you been out lately? I’d like to get out with you, like we did last year and get a shot at a couple winter stripers.
Thanks J-Mac,
Ya that “sun” shot on the river was one of those times that I know you know well. I was in a rhythm fishin and things were just getting good .. and then I saw that light up river and I thought to myself, “I gotta get that shot.” But, as is often the case, I thought “Na, who cares its just light .. and the fishing is too good right now.” But, I decided to stop fishing (which I didn’t want to do) and pulled out the camera and got the shot. That’s always the hardest part of getting good video shots or photography, especially if you like to fish – because it does require stopping fishing. Anyway, glad I took a break from casting and got the shot, cuz when I was editing and saw that shot (that I had completely forgotten about) I thought “Wow, that’s a pretty spectacular lighting situation — and as the old saying goes “light is everything” … Thanks Joey, appreciate the comment! Looking forward to fishin’ and shooting some film with ya in 2010.
Thanks Greg. Though its definately not “I Max” stuff by any stretch of the imagination .. its the best I can personally do at this point and time. Glad you liked it and were able to “stand on the bow and wade in the river” a little because of it. Man, its already been a long winter and I’ve watched this video a ton of times already and will do so throughout the winter because warm, sun and t-shirts are just not happening in Maine right now. More like ice, FREEZING cold and the only warmth is coming from my wood stove. But, soon enough it will all break wide open – and another fly fishing season will begin. Can’t wait! Looking forward to fishing with you in 2010. Thanks for watching and commenting greg!
Thanks whip! Can’t wait for our annual spring striper trip in 2010 … We’ll do a lot of sight fishing this year .. so, tie up some crustations … or .. should i say Frustrations! 🙂 … Give me a shout. Peace bro.
Kory,
Thanks bro – I really appreciate the “job well done.” Through the years, this video/film stuff has become a real creative outlet for me. I never realized it would be such a creative activity. And, because I don’t tie during the winter .. I cut up video from the season and write a couple tunes .. and it keeps me connected to fly fishing. And, every winter I learn a little more about what kind of shots work and don’t work .. or what kind of light is good and not so good etc.. So, I like to think that every year I get a little better at capturing and editing content – so as to be able to every year put together videos that are new and fresh with new angles, lighting and “stories” that I haven’t captured before. Getting “the gold” (as you call it) whether it be on film or on the hook … is really tough and its a never ending challenge to get “the gold” that you haven’t gotten yet. Looking forward to getting a few pieces of gold in 2010 with ya!
Flymouth .. Thank you. I really appreciate that a lot.
Thanks bro! For the comment — and for taking my dog Juneau fishing this year when you and boz were watching him! I saw the pics and they were great! Next time you come up/over or whatever … we gotta make a few casts. Thanks again.
Austin — Thanks Man! I know you see all the things that “take it to a whole new level” because you’ve done a lot of fishin and film throughout the years … The new HD camera is incredible .. can you believe the LACK of shakiness and the clarity, compared to the stuff we used to use? You’re right, from a technology standpoint, its undeniable what the new consumer HD cameras can do. That kind of performance on a camera has traditionally been reserved for super high end cameras .. certainly not a camera that you can buy at your local Best Buy store. Thanks for watching and commenting austin – I know how crunched for time you must be at college with all those keg parties etc.. 🙂 Looking forward to fishing with you in 2010. Hope all is well Austin.
Boz,
Well, you actually were there as you were the one fishing in a lot of the clips. We had some amazing days out there on both the fresh and salt … good things seem to happen when we fish together .. although not always (busted boat in florida floating around ocean with no cell etc..) .. but, all in all we have some great luck. Thanks boz … looking forward to fishing with you in 2010.
David, Thanks! Ya, I gotta give credit where credit is due. Dave teper, RA, joey, will benson and all those guys have been shooting in this kind of format for a while now and they have told me on several occassions that I should upgrad the quality of my camera … Up until I got the camera, I thought to myself, “ah what’s the difference .. I’m only doing these videos for the website .. not putting out dvd’s or anything like that” .. But, wouldn’t ya know it .. All of a sudden “HD” (or close enough to it) is available on the web now. And, the difference (as you said back then) between HD and non-HD stuff is light years apart. So, its a new chapter I guess .. can you imagine where video and technology and the web will be in 10 years? It is stunning to think that when Fliesandfins.com started the only kind of “video” that was even remotely possible to use was 160×120 pixels and 56kbps (basically as small and slow as you can imagine) — Really really amazing to see internet and digital video technology progress at such an astounding rate in such a relatively short period of time. Thanks for the comment David! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Dave,
Thanks for your comment here and Willy’s comment on youtube.com. You guys have both taught me a ton about shooting and editing fly fishing film. I’m glad you guys liked it and were able to see the “tricks” I at least tried to implement to make things flow; based on some of the techniques and tricks that Dave taught me this summer. I will be honest, when you and Willy got together 3 years ago and you said to me, “Me and Will Benson are getting together to take fly fishing film/video to a whole new level.” I thought to myself, “What kind of ‘new level’? Will just won the annual Drake Magazine fly fishing video awards with his film TARPON. How much “better” can things get from that?” Well, based on all that I have seen the two of you do in the last 2 or three years and all the things I have learned from watching your shots and edits and fishing and filming with you guys here and there – I know fully understand what you meant by “a whole new level.” The two of you and all of the other film makers such as RA etc.. Have, without a doubt, taken fly fishing FILM to a “whole new level.” I am just lucky by proxy – to have been and still be part of your crew and to pick up the scraps and tag along learning from you guys. So, thanks Dave for letting me tag along on yours and Willy’s fly fishing film making journey. It has been an eye opening experience, very frustrating at times, so much fun at times, infinitely more creative than I ever imagined and without a doubt a “whole new level.” Thanks for doing what you guys do – and helping me to keep learning and keep progressing and keep looking for a better shot, story, tune, edit etc… I now appreciate what you and Willy and RA and anyone who calls themselves a “film maker” do. Because there is a huge different between a fly fishing video and a fly fishing film. Thanks again, I am always greatly appreciative to be part of the World Angling crew. I have, without question, learned infinitely more on the saltwater fly rod and the camera than I ever could have if left to my own devices. Best of luck in this years Drake Fly Fishing Film Tour/Awards. After talking with you and Willy on the phone over the last week and hearing the “story” you guys are piecing together – it sounds like you guys are on track for another amazing film this year that be sure blow people away as much as “Tarpon,” “Slam” and “Permit” did. You know that me and the entire fliesaandfins.com crew will be rooting for World Angling this year.
Shaq,
Thank you! I had been talking to Robin a few times this fall about my recent conversion to HD camera. I know that you guys just got one too. I also know that you guys were of the same kind of mind set that I have been for a long time, which was/is “Part of the value of doing point and shoot camera videos, is that you can shoot it and edit it and share it FAST” Yes, quality has always been something that we have all tried to produce with our point and shoot cameras. But, by default, point and shoot and fast shooting and fast editing … can simply not produce the same level of quality that is possible via HD technology, selective shots, selective and creative edits and telling a story through film/video. So, as I just start this new journey to a “whole new level” by focusing a different type of “quality” – I know you and Robin are right there too. I think everything – whether it be video or writing or anything – must be constantly tried to be improved by ourselves; otherwise we get bored and quit. So, I have watched you and Robin progress through the years on all sort of fronts such as spey, fly tying videos, fly fishing films, writing, managing a website etc.. and I have no doubt that 2010 will show even further progression and a new level of quality on all of those same fronts and more! Good luck Shaq and Robin! Thanks.
Alex,
Thanks bro! Can’t wait to bring the HD camera down to Patagonia to fish with you and the boys! Hope all is well bro .. call me or send me a smoke signal or whatever you do to connect with the rest of the world while you are down there in patagonia … or perhaps you are still in buenos aries? give me a call. Peace bro.
PS. I have a couple more vids from last season that will be coming out .. one of them being a out takes/blooper type video – so, expect to see more (eg. busted boat with you me and ed, rowing it to shore 🙂 )
Cool, great visuals, watching this helps me escape the current deep freeze. I can’t wait for spring. Did you shoot this video on your SONY DSC-W290 P&S?
Thanks chromefinder,
No, I got a new HD Camera. It has amazing image stabilization and also takes 12 meg pixel still images. But, one of the features that they marketed and I didn’t pay much attention to until AFTER i shot a bunch of video was the IMAGE STABILIZATION. They market it as something like x10 image stabilzation and they are not kidding. If you watch this video you will notice (comparitvely to every other video on the site) the lack of shakiness. This camera shoots in your hand as though you had a tri pod. So, ya I was blown away by the resolution, the clarity of the content, the chips ability to process light and really impressed with the new image stabilization technology. And the camera is the same size as my other video camera. very small and fits in a pouch in my sling pack, perfectly. Here is the model number if anyone is interested. Sony HDR-CX500V
What a great year book of fly fishing!
I remember when you were filming the many trips we’ve been on…then setting it to your down home music…honest and artful.
Who knows what will be forthcoming in the NEXT season, eh? There are truly great images to be captured on most any fly fishing adventure from nearby small brooks to far away large oceans, the sport is as vast as all earth’s water.
Excellent work, my friend.
Now be sure to look me up next time your down this way!
Hey Marsh – Thanks for the comment! Hope all is well down in Florida and you are well. I hear ya! Can you believe how far technology has come? Of course I remember “the good old days” when you and I would do exactly what we are doing now except with tiny little cameras that could only take super tiny and terrible quality video .. and then we were lucky if we could share a video that was bigger than the size of a quarter. Those are our roots! And, its awesome to be able to look back through the Flies and Fins archives and see the progression of ourselves and technology. And, I think its really cool that although there is all sorts of new “whiz bang” video cameras and broadband internet and facebook and youtube.com and all of these things .. Ultimately, we are doing the same exact thing we had been doing 7 years ago … telling our stories, fly fishing a lot, taking pictures and video and playing “home grown” music … I hope that never changes because that is our roots! I actually got some plans to come down to Florida next week or so … Perhaps we can cross paths and make a few casts to some of those Tarpon. I’ll most likely be scooting across from west palm to Naples to visit and fish with Teper. So, maybe we can meet on the trail and fish together as I make my way across. Would be lots of fun and good to see you and fish with you as its been a long time.