Soulfish - A Fly-Fishing Adventure
A film by Mikey Wier.
Hobby, sport, lifestyle, religion, or obsession? - filmmaker Mikey Wier poses the question about what fly fishing means and then sets out for the far corners of the globe in search of answers.
With the passionate perspective of someone who himself is immersed in the sport and awestruck by the wild places it takes him, Wier proves himself a skilled observer with an insider’s ability to get those around him to open up and reveal their own inner thoughts. And with a roster of guest appearances from hardcore anglers and top-notch professional guides, there’s no shortage of likable characters and opinions.
Shot on locations ranging from Mongolia to Christmas Island, Brazil to Utah, Belize to Louisiana, Soulfish delivers on the promise to share some of the most explosive and breath-taking footage of fly-fishing ever captured on film. In a series of trips strung together as chapters in this story, Wier and friends chase down big fish, the likes of which most us can only dream about and may someday hope to have the privilege of casting a line in their direction.
But it’s the natural, intimate way that he captures the insights of those who have succumbed to this addiction that ultimately sets this film apart. What emerges through these relaxed portraits is the humble realization that while we all seek different things from the sport, the joy and peace of mind we find is the real prize. It’s what Wier coins “soulfishing” - the state of mind when a person fishes with no other motivation than pure enjoyment of the sport.
In our media-centric world, where cell phones have cameras, and video swirls around the internet capturing everything from the bizarre to the absurd, it’s only natural that the lens has turned to fly fishing. It’s rare however to find someone who has used this new-found ability to artfully craft a compelling story and use it to explore their passion with such a deft hand. Soulfish, from Mikey Wier stands alone and worth a watch by everyone who fishes, and those who wonder why we do.