The International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4), a curated collection of world-class films and cinematic storytelling from independent fly-fishing filmmakers from around the globe, is honored to announce RA Beattie, founder of Beattie Outdoor Productions and co-founder of Off the Grid Studios, as the winner of Audience Choice Award — Best Film in the 2025 IF4 for his groundbreaking film “The Silent Spotter”. This year’s top honor was determined entirely by audience votes from viewers around the world, underscoring the film’s powerful connection with the global fly-fishing community.
Scott Fly Rod Company Welcomes Industry Veteran Shawn Combs
The Scott Fly Rod Company announces that Shawn Combs will join the Scott team as vice president in January.
“Shawn is a lifelong angler with finely honed skills and a proven track record in fly-fishing product design,” says Jim Bartschi, president of Scott Fly Rods. “His passion for innovation, quality, and team building is a perfect fit to help carry on Scott’s fifty-year legacy of handcrafting high-performance fly rods. I’m thrilled to welcome Shawn to the Scott family and for the opportunity to work with him and the rest of the team on writing the next chapters of the Scott story.”
After earning his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Combs spent a decade in engineering roles with industry leaders, including Exxon Mobil Corp. and Lockheed Martin. In 2011, he joined the Orvis Company in Vermont as a product developer for fly rods and reels, and he has served as their director of product design and development since 2014.
Combs says, “I am beyond excited to join the Scott Fly Rod Company to work alongside Jim and team. Having grown up fishing Scott rods, I am honored to contribute to the legacy of handcrafting rods that, in my view, embody innovation and soul like no other.”
The IF4 Stoke Begins Now: Get Your Tickets!
As a proud media partner, Fly Fusion is excited to share the stoke as the official sizzle reel for the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) has just been released, offering a first look at one of the most anticipated fly-fishing film events on the planet.
IF4, presented by Orvis, Abel Reels and Trout Unlimited, is the ultimate celebration of fly-fishing culture, featuring a curated collection of world-class films and cinematic storytelling from independent filmmakers around the globe. Each year, IF4 captures the heart, soul and adventure of fly fishing, spotlighting the passion, lifestyle and culture that defines the sport.
But IF4 is more than a film tour. It’s a worldwide gathering place for the fly-fishing community. A celebration of friendship and wild places. A platform for powerful stories. A night fueled by pure stoke.
The sizzle reel is your first look into this year’s unforgettable experience, packed with stunning visuals, epic adventures and the energy that makes IF4 unlike anything else.
Watch the sizzle reel. Feel the stoke. Join the global celebration of fly fishing.
Tickets, trailers and schedule: flyfilmfest.com/schedule.
Orvis’ 50 Years of Graphite
Orvis is celebrating a golden anniversary with the Helios™ Limited Edition dry fly rod.
To commemorate the occasion, their rod designers built a rod that will pull at the heartstrings of the technical dry fly angler and showcase the accuracy, precision, and eye-catching look that their graphite rods are known for. They started out with a retro-inspired, unsanded 9’5″ 4-wt. Helios D blank, dressed it up with gold accents, black anodized reel seat hardware, and a hand-selected burl maple insert, and presented the whole package in a signature 50th Anniversary rod tube and sock. The length, line weight, and crisp D-series feel make this rod perfect for presenting tiny dries with laser precision, with that extra length you always want for mends and reach casts.
The Helios™ Limited Edition Fly Rod takes everything Orvis has learned in 50 years of graphite rod building and puts it in your hand. Limited run of 500 rods, so get one while you can.
Turning Challenge Into Success: Deaf Guide’s Fly Design Goes Global
In today’s world, the news is often hard to look at. But every so often, a story comes along that feels like sunlight breaking through the clouds. The Silent Spotter, a new film making waves on the outdoor film festival circuit, is one of those.
The Silent Spotter, a new film making waves on the outdoor film festival circuit, tells one of those stories.
Tommy Batun, a young deaf fly-fishing guide from southern Mexico, has spent his life on the flats chasing permit—one of the most notoriously difficult fish in the world to catch. Working alongside his father Alejandro, Tommy has turned what some might see as a limitation into a superpower: his uncanny ability to spot fish where others can’t.
FFI’s FlyFest in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Fly Fishers International (FFI) is back with FlyFest 2025, happening September 26–27 at the Sheraton Airport Conference Center in Grand Rapids, MI. This in-person event is your chance to reconnect with fellow anglers, learn from the best instructors, and immerse yourself in all things fly fishing. Grand Rapids is right in the heart of the Midwest, making it convenient for regional anglers and easy to reach by air for those coming from farther afield…
An Open Letter to Netflix
An Irish Mob Boss and a Presbyterian Minister Walk Into a River
Dear individual at Netflix whose job it is to acquire content,
Please buy the movie rights to A River Runs Through It. It’s my favorite movie, and I can’t seem to find it anywhere on your platform. Though I enjoy some of the other content, my favorite movie is nowhere to be found. When I search for the movie, you make other recommendations, some of which have nothing to do with my initial search. You’ll need to remedy this flaw if you want to keep me as a subscriber.
Simms Fishing Products “Dead On The Water” Collaboration with the Grateful Dead
Simms Fishing Products, a leader in performance fly fishing apparel and gear, has officially launched Dead On The Water— a limited-edition product collection in collaboration with the legendary rock band, the Grateful Dead. This unique partnership blends the world of technical angling gear with iconic music culture, creating a line that speaks to both performance and personal expression.
At the center of the collection is the GD Guide Wader, based on Simms’ award-winning G3 platform and crafted with Grateful Dead-inspired detailing. The collection also includes a range of technical and lifestyle pieces, including limited-edition sun hoodies, graphic t-shirts, and classic headwear.
More than just apparel, Dead On The Water explores the deep parallels between music and fishing — both demanding presence, surrender, and a connection to the moment. This collaboration captures that ethos, offering anglers and music lovers alike a way to celebrate the spirit that unites these seemingly different pursuits.
“This collaboration was born from feeling, not formulas,” said Ben Christensen, Head of Simms. “Fishing and music are both immersive experiences. They quiet the noise. Dead On The Water is our effort to capture this state of mind.”
The Simms x Grateful Dead: Dead On The Water Collection is available in limited quantities at simmsfishing.com and select retail partners.
Small Craft Sales Launches Online Buying and Selling Hub For “Little Floaters”
Small Craft Sales, a new online hub dedicated to small, specialty watercraft, is taking the headache out of buying and selling boats online. Designed for anglers, rafters, kayakers, wooden boat enthusiasts, and day cruisers, the platform offers a scam-free alternative to cluttered classifieds like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Sell USED OR NEW boats.
“Boat geeks know exactly what they want, but unstructured sites can be a mess,” said Tim Romano, founder of Small Craft Sales. “We’re here to connect passionate boaters and simplify the process.”
Abel Reels Launches Custom Blue Line TR Reel
Abel Reels is proud to introduce a customized extension of its popular Abel Blue Line TR as part of the Blue Lining Project—a collaborative initiative with Airflo, onWater, and Trout Unlimited. This limited-edition reel marks an industry first, integrating personalized river mapping with premium reel design. Anglers can now engrave the unique “blue lines” of their favorite river system directly onto their reel.
Each reel is built with Abel’s proprietary CeranoTM Chaos Coating, which fuses durable ceramic coating with precision laser engraving. The Abel TR, a lightweight click-pawl reel designed specifically for trout fishing, delivers smooth performance and timeless simplicity on small to mid-sized streams.
As part of the Blue Lining Project, each reel purchase supports Trout Unlimited’s mission to protect and restore coldwater habitats. The project encourages anglers to explore thin, unpressured stretches of water, including hidden streams, forgotten creeks, and quiet rivers, while promoting conservation through responsible recreation. By guiding anglers to lesser-known waters, the initiative helps reduce pressure on heavily trafficked rivers and fosters a greater sense of environmental stewardship.
For more information, visit abelreels.com.
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