Yellowdog Flyfishing Adventures had a great turnout on Nov. 8 as they celebrated the world premiere release of Confluence Films’ new movie Waypoints at the historic Ellen Theater in downtown Bozeman. Yellowdog staff members were very pleased with the turnout, and even happier with the movie, which is Confluence Films’ fourth release.

Waypoints takes the genre of flyfishing films to new horizons, as five different locations across the globe are visited and five different species of fish are sought. Oliver White, Jeff Currier, Greg Bricker, Gerhard Laubscher, Rooster Leavens, and others showcase not only the flyfishing lifestyle they love, but an interesting and beautiful trip as well.

“I thought Waypoints was absolutely epic…the featured guides in the film really make the film,” said Jessie Ball of Simms Fishing Products company in Bozeman. “I really enjoyed each one’s different story and what the journey of flyfishing means to them and seeing first-hand the experiences they have in far off places. It was packed with all kinds of eye candy; both scenery and fish. The mind blowing cinematography paired with a catchy soundtrack really keeps your attention.”

The guides ply the waters of St. Brandon’s Atoll in the Indian Ocean for Giant Trevally, permit and other flats species, stalk a pristine Southeast Alaska fishery for steelhead, trek to Uraima Falls in Venezuela for trophy Payara, hop down to Patagonian Chile to test the trout, and head back across the Pacific Ocean to the India-Nepal border in search of Golden Mahseer. The scenery is as compelling as the fishing.

The locations visited in Waypoints are not only exotic, but relatively unfished. Water, sun and sand provide the backdrop at St. Brandon’s Atoll in the Indian Ocean with saltwater flats fishing action. Also known as shallow water casting, this approach can bring the flyfisherman big benefits. The action moves from the Indian Ocean to a stellar steelhead fishery in southeast Alaska. It’s a majestic setting for this fish sought by anglers across the Greater Northwest. The long-fanged Payara caught in the jungles of Venezuela aren’t meant for the faint-hearted angler, and trout fishing in Patagonia is truly akin to a voyage of discovery in relatively untouched places. The Golden Mahseer is as beautiful as the country it resides in on the India-Nepal border, and a blessing from a shaman surely didn’t hurt Jeff Currier’s chances of hooking one of these unusual armored fish.

“I thought it was very professional…I was amazed at the whole video,” said Bozeman area flyfishing enthusiast John Foster. “Fishing four or five places…I like that…hopping from place to place. It really showed the life of people with a passion for flyfishing. They will travel the world…give up everything…to feed their passion.”

“I thought it was interesting to see the lengths people travel to find a special place that holds special fish,” agreed Jessie Ball. “Some of these places are virtually untouched and the fish that live there have probably never seen a fly thrown at them before.”
Conservation is a theme that seems to be driven home in this film as well. The guides take special care in their pursuit, catch, and release of their prey, as if to let these fish know that they are cared for.

“The audience really got a kick out of it,” said Foster. “Most of them were guides or fishermen.”

Whether you’re a flyfisherman, baitcaster, or just a fishing spectator, Waypoints is sure to stir your soul, and is well worth a watch. To get a copy of this or any other Confluence Films release, or to view trailers of their films, go to confluencefilms.com. Happy viewing, and happy fishing!

Pat Hill is a freelance writer from Bozeman, MT.