Fd: How did the idea of producing fly-fishing videos come up?
JL: I have always been addicted to fish porn, ok let’s keep it clean. The first time I saw a fly fishing movie with lots of soul, I was on a boat in the Seychelles and it was one of the first Trout Bum Dairies and soon after that Running Down the Man. I started following the Drakemag film awards from the first one in 2006! That is what inspired me to start filming and show everyone what we as guides see on a daily basis. I really do appreciate all the support that I have had, but I still think that I have al lot of hard work ahead of me when it comes to the filming, cinematography and editing. My stuff is really raw and I still just get too excited in the fishing moment, then I forget to film properly.
St Brandon's 2014 Tease from FlyCastaway on Vimeo.
Fd: What spots do you visit to make your films? What are the places that surprised you the most?
JL: I have been guiding for quite some time now. So most of the filming that I have done, has been around Africa and South Africa, the outer atolls of the Seychelles, St Brandon’s, Norway and Mongolia.
I have to say that all the places are just mind blowing, from Gangsters of the Flats (GT) in the Seychelles, to Indo Pacific Permit in St Brandon’s, to the epic rivers in Norway in search of monster Salmon. But I have really fallen in love with Mongolia. Everything about it, the place, the people, the fisheries and, of course, Taimen. They are just so mysterious and how they survive is just amazing.
320 Trailer from Cpt Jack Films on Vimeo.
Fd: What kind of camera system do you use when you go filming outdoors?
JL: I use a Canon SLR for most of my stuff. The footage quality is amazing but it does take some time to get comfortable with it, when it comes to the different lenses, making sure your footage is always in focus, the light is right, the horizon is straight and a very important factor for me is to make sure the camera is still. As I said, it is a bit tricky guiding and filming, so I always just make sure that my clients are happy and get the fish they were looking for; and when they are comfortable, then I start shooting. I also use a Go Pro for some action shots and some underwater stuff. But this year I am upgrading and hoping to get some awesome stuff!
Fd: How is the pre-production process? Do you think ideas, stories and particular sceneries or do you let stories emerge in each fishing trip?
JL: This year I have a few projects that I am planning a bit more in advance and trying to do some more pre-production preparation done. All the stuff I have done before has been just being out there, filming as a guide and hoping to put a story together at the end. But I think it is a huge time saver to do some homework, as you don’t want to sit with hours of useless footage.
Gangsters of the Flats 2 from Cpt Jack Films on Vimeo.
Fd: Regarding filmmaking, do you have any influences or particular styles that you like?
JL: I have a lot of respect for the big production companies, like Confluence Films, Geofish, Felt Soul, GinClear, Waterline media, Beattie Outdoor, Daniel Gos…. There is so many to mention. They have really taken it to the next level and I would love to reach that point one day or even work with them.
Fd: What kind of message do you want to give through your films?
JL: Being a fly fishing guide, I have always just wanted to give everyone a chance to see what we experience on a daily basis. The short films are action packed to show the viewer what these places could be like and leave them wanting more. On the other hand, I do assure you that it does not matter how far you travel, you will at some stage have a tough trip. This is also just to show the guys that have had a tough trip that we are not joking when we say these places are awesome! It is funny (well not at that stage) when you have a client that has had a tough week and you hear those dreaded words, “we should have been here last week”. We always want to be on the “you should have been there” trip.
The Aqua Hulk from Cpt Jack Films on Vimeo.
Fd: Nowadays, most fishermen can film and edit a fishing video; what aspects do you think should be taken into account to make a good one?
JL: There is some really great stuff out there. I think, firstly you should love the filming part of it as much as the fishing part. For me to get a GT eat on film is just like hooking up! I think some of the best films out there have a great story line, action, drama, great characters and awesome cinematography. You really want the viewers’ attention the whole way through. So try something new, whether it is a new species of fish, or if you want to film something that has been done before, try a new angle on it. New camera angles are always good.
Fd: What’s next? Any upcoming material?
JL: I have just finished a short film called 320. I have been guiding for about 9 years now and for the last 6 years for about 270 days a year. But after adding a couple of new destinations in 2012, I ended the year guiding 320 days for the year. The movie is an in-depth look at what you can accomplish as a fishing guide if you put your head and heart into it. Guides have become an integral part of the fishing industry, especially when you are spending lots of time and money to reach remote and exotic locations around the world. Therefore there is an expectancy for the outfitters to push the boundaries year on year as to how far they can go to present their clients with a true “once in a lifetime” fishing adventure. With all the modern day advances and technology, outfitters and guides are more equipped to explore places that used to be unchartered.
As great as these places are, fishing is fishing and it can still be a very tedious effort to get that dream fish. Guides have narrowed that gap from angler to fish, from the old school gullies on the Scottish rivers to the modern day guide that is willing to swim out in shark infested waters to free a fly line for a client, so that he can see the smile on a clients face as he lifts that fish!
So the movie starts at the Seychelles, with just super fast action, then it moves to the beautiful mountainous west coast of Norway to play a gentleman’s game and swing flies at monster Atlantic Salmon. Then I go directly from there on to the amazing wild Mongolia, to help clients get stuck into the mysterious river wolf.
FCA Pimp Out from Cpt Jack Films on Vimeo.
The movie ends off with a super cool section for you to see what guides can get up to on location if they are not guiding or fishing. I think it is super funny!
The burnout factor is always a big one in guiding. I think the following has helped me a lot. I made sure that I guided in completely different locations, back to back, so that I don’t get too used to one location. I really love a challenge, so I love new water and pushing myself to the max to make it happen with clients. The last thing is that I have made peace with the fact that not all the clients I have with me are going to be great at fishing. These guys have to spend a lot of time in the office to make this money to come on these trips, so where do they get chance to practice and when? Mostly on these trips, so if you do not get that fish that you have been trying for, for many seasons, it was not meant to be and you will get it at some stage, just keep pushing on. Or you can cry yourself to sleep at night but don’t show your disappointment to the clients, stay positive, remember he is the reason why you are there!
I also have some awesome projects that I am working on this year, but you will have to wait and see.
Fd: Finally, what does fly fishing mean to you, and what do you enjoy the most from the whole process of making outdoor productions?
JL: Fly fishing is a way of life for me. I don’t know if there is anything else in this world that I would want to do. Fly fishing has a rich history and I don’t think we should ever forget that, but in saying that I would love to get more of the youth involved in fly fishing and give it a “cool” angle. That is why I love the amazing productions that are being released. There are a lot of young guys involved and hopefully we can just grow the sport more and enrich people’s lives by doing it. I mean what is better than to just be out there in the middle of nowhere and showing people how amazing our world is and why we should look after it.
For more of Cpt. Jack Films' great work, please visit: http://vimeo.com/user23981289 and http://vimeo.com/flycastaway
