Media
I have been fortunate enough to work in a variety of differing films, shows and tournaments that were broadcast and/or shared online. Four differing events steered me down this path.
In the early nineties, I guided Jim and Kelly Watt and we shot an episode of their Flyfishing Video Magazine down in the Black Canyon. I had a great time, and I remember it going really well. I liked being on camera and guiding at the same time. I was able to catch fish often at just the needed time. This inspired me to create a fishing show that was a bit different and perhaps had some laughs and wasnt quite as staid as the shows one saw on TV. So, in 2001 I created a show called Frank’s Fishing Problem and its three episodes aired on Telluride Cable TV so that about ten people saw it. The title being a double entendre that I had a fishing problem, but that fishing is also problem solving, and I needed to identify the problems standing between myself and catching fish to prevail. It wasn’t amazing, but I loved it and it was really different. This was back when I had a ponytail and a big wooly mustache. My brother said I looked like Travis Tritt in wading boots……….thanks Will.
Image Courtesy Bryan Gregson Photography
Then in 2003 and 2004, I competed in and ultimately won the OLN Flyfishing Masters, a national Flyfishing contest that was televised and had over five hundred of the best anglers in America as contestants. This was produced by John Barrett productions, and I got to know their whole wonderful crew and so many other friends during each of those exhaustive days long competitions. Around the time that myself and fellow September 9 Virgo teammate and Roaring Fork Valley Guide, Gifford Maytham took first prize in the country. It was amazing, we caught a lone fourteen inch Brown in sudden death overtime on a spring creek in Montana, and were suddenly 30 grand richer!
I love sharing fishing, and doing so through the lens is a lot of fun. Nobody believes that it’s hard work, and that’s ok. What is important is that we convey the sense of adventure, fun and learning that each and every day on the water provides.
I have had the good fortune to work with some of the best production houses in the sport, and you will see me in producing and starring roles in creations from RA Beattie, Paul Bourcq and Bryan Gregson at Off the Grid Studios (Dubai On The Fly), Ben Knight and Travis Rummel at Felt Soul Media (Running Down The Man, Eastern Rises) John Barrett at John Barrett productions (now Intermedia) (The 2003 and 2004 Flyfishing Masters, Trout Unlimited’s On The Rise) Steven Rinella and Miles Nolte with Meateater, (Das Boat) Brett Shreckengost with BSP (Franks Fishing Problem) Joey Macomber with Lateral Line Media (Curse Of The Black Bigote) and Shannon VanDivier with Cold Collaborative (Franks Fishing Problem).
Most of these works can be seen on YouTube, or viewed or rented on Vimeo or Amazon, and here are some behind the scenes photos of these various productions along with links to these great teams and our work together. Every single time, the best part by far of these productions was the time spent with these amazing people up against the sometimes profound adversity that one encounters while trying catch difficult fish and do things that have never been done. Thank you so much to each and every one of you, and let’s do it some more!