The local Trout Unlimited chapter will be hosting a fly fishing film festival at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center this weekend to generate interest in the organization’s upcoming educational programs.
Amber Kraxberger-Linson, a member of Trout Unlimited and streamwatch coordinator for the Chugach National Forest, said Wednesday that the film festival will be an opportunity for the fly fishing community to gather for a shared interest.
“I always learn something when I sit and watch the films,” she said. “It’s just a really good time to come together.”
The festival, which will take place Saturday, is part of a film tour by IF4 — an International Fly Fishing Film Festival broadcast in different communities across the globe. The festival includes both short and feature-length films by professional cinematographers showcasing fly fishing culture.
Film trailers can be found at flyfilmfest.com/films/.
The film festival includes a silent auction with fishing gear and other prizes, as well as Kenai River Brewing Company’s Two Timing Trout Ale beer. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the series of short films will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12 online on the IF4 website, or at either Wilderness Way or River City Books. If any tickets are available at the door they will be $15.
In addition to the movie screening, Kraxberger-Linson said the film festival will also be an opportunity to share upcoming Trout Unlimited programs.
The organization received a $5,000 grant from the Kenai Watershed Program, through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to get young anglers interested in fly fishing while promoting watershed stewardship and conservation messaging, Kraxberger-Linson said.
One of the best parts of her job, she said, is getting people out on the water — despite experience level.
“I love taking people out and taking people fishing,” Kraxberger-Linson. “I get to see all types of folks from all over the world. It’s actually very approachable.”
She said she wants kids to be able to appreciate the practice of fly fishing in a way they perhaps hadn’t before.
“There’s really room there for everybody,” Kraxberger-Linson.
For more information about Saturday’s event email info@flyfilmfest.com.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
