It’s the time of year when days draw shorter, and long days on the river turn to evenings spent tying flies and watching our favorite fishing films. In preparation for the 2026 Fly Fishing Film Tour, we sat down with this year’s creative crew to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to make a compelling film.
In this Behind the Lens article, we sit down with George Van Dercook of Los Locos, and Joe Gugino and Hannah Trotter of Agaveco—the minds behind the Rooster Fly Project. Their F3T Film by the same name explores roosterfishing in Mag Bay, the impact these fish have, and the science behind these incredible gamefish. This film is packed with thrilling rooster-eating moments, a story that goes far beyond fishing, and, most importantly, the science being done to protect these sought-after game fish.
Flylords: This film highlights one of fly fishing’s most recognizable saltwater game fish, the roosterfish. Where did the idea to highlight roosterfish come from?
Hannah Trotter: For George and Los Locos, the desire to do real citizen science around roosterfish has been there for years, especially after seeing bycatch firsthand and experiencing the success of the Marlin Fly Project.
For Agaveco, it clicked during a trip to 4Corners Costa Rica. It was the first time I (Hannah) saw just how deeply roosterfish are woven into so many different cultures throughout the southeastern Pacific coast, and just how far anglers are willing to travel for just the opportunity to have a shot at one.
It was mind-blowing to me that anglers spend thousands of dollars each year to experience this bucket list fish, yet so little is actually known about them and being done to protect them.
Through our (Agaveco’s) relationship with George and Rudy, we knew they were already planning a Roosterfish film and were eager to help with the science, and through our ongoing partnership with IGFA, we knew their Roosterfish Research Program was getting off the ground, so the timing lined up beautifully.
Flylords: This film is focused on the science of roosterfish. Can you explain why science is such a crucial piece of this fishery and its future?
Hannah: Roosterfish are so unique, there’s literally nothing else like them in the world, so it’s important we protect them, but you can’t protect something if you don’t understand it.
Most major gamefish already have decades of research behind them and organizations looking out for their protection, but with roosterfish, we’re starting from scratch. Up until IGFA started the first study through their Roosterfish Research Program, published in the Spring of 2025, there had been zero formal studies published on roosterfish!
But now, because of that study, we know that roosterfish aren’t migrating. Each region is its own subpopulation, meaning if one area gets overfished, those fish could disappear locally.
Science gives us the roadmap for everything that comes next: management, protection, regulations, and sustainable angling, but we have to have the science in place first. It’s pretty incredible to be part of the beginning of understanding a species, especially one as iconic as roosterfish.
Flylords: Back in 2024, we got to watch the science behind the Marlin Fly Project. Are there any takeaways from that project that helped bring the Rooster Fly Project to life?
Hannah: Definitely, the naming of the Rooster Fly Project wasn’t by accident. The three of us have been a part of the Marlin Fly Project from the beginning, so that model (combining science, storytelling, community, and citizen participation) absolutely paved the way.
But it’s not a copy/paste effort. Different methods, different questions being answered, and a completely different game fish, but the similarities lie in the community aspect, and that’s really where we want people to make the connection. When more people feel connected to a species, stewardship grows naturally. Community becomes the backbone of conservation, and that’s core to both the Marlin Fly Project and the Rooster Fly Project.
Flylords: The film touches a lot on the impacts of commercial fishing on roosterfish. What impact is this having on roosterfish, and how can the Rooster Fly Project help?
Hannah: Roosterfish aren’t directly targeted by commercial fishermen, but they are caught and killed as bycatch or sold for bait. It’s opportunistic, and it’s unfortunate, and the scale is largely unknown.
This is where IGFA’s study is so important. In Study 2 (that’s just now kicking off), we hope to identify where roosterfish spawn, migrate, and concentrate so we can help push for non-commercial zones in the most critical areas.
Conservation really comes down to three things: data, regulation, and enforcement. Without data, you can’t develop smart regulations. Without regulations, enforcement is irrelevant. And without enforcement, none of it matters.
Flylords: What was your favorite shot or sequence captured in this film?
George: That’s tough. The interviews with Pepe, Juan, Frank, and Grant are incredibly special. Frank and Grant bring so much historical perspective. Juan carries decades of firsthand experience. And with Pepe, everything is happening in real time. He’s evolving, he’s passionate, and he’s so fired up about the fishery’s future.
Capturing that entire spectrum, 30 years of experience to the next generation stepping in, and all sharing the same fire for this fish?…that’s rare.
And then there’s the action. The eats and slow-mo sequences that Matt and the crew captured are the best roosterfish footage ever shot. Sharing that on a big screen with the whole fly-fishing community is going to be incredible.
Flylords: What challenges did you face in bringing this film to life?
George: Roosterfish don’t behave on command…especially when a camera is rolling. You could spend a lifetime chasing these fish, but trying to capture all of that magic in a tight filming window is intense.
There’s pressure on everyone—anglers, captains, guides, and the film crew, because we all know how special these moments are. Thankfully, we had an incredible team dialed in who made it happen.
Then there’s the storytelling challenge: taking a complex conservation issue we really don’t know much about, pairing it with a fish people already mythologize, and distilling it into something engaging, clear, and compelling, all while navigating the barrier of two languages? It’s safe to say it also took A LOT of time and intention on the backend, but the team nailed it.
Flylords: As anglers, conservation is top of mind. But for others who may not be aware of the issues that fisheries face, what impact does creating a film like this have?
George Van Dercook: Most people know roosterfish from photos, but a photo doesn’t show you the eat, the chase, the way they move through bait, or how explosive they are as a gamefish. This film changes that. It shows roosterfish in their world, feeding naturally and behaving like a wild inshore apex predator.
But what’s truly special about this film is that you also get to see the true cultural and economic value of roosterfish as a sport fish. This species is worth far more alive than dead, and the evolution in that mindset is literally changing lives and entire communities, as captured locally in San Carlos. The film makes it less about the epic fish and more about the people who depend on it.
Flylords: What’s next for roosterfish science and the Rooster Fly Project?
Hannah: For the Rooster Fly Project, we’re just getting started! This film marks our 2026 launch, and is hyper-focused on Mag Bay and the East Cape, but the Project itself will expand throughout the eastern Pacific coast where roosterfish are found.
Now that IGFA has identified subpopulations, the next step (Study 2) is understanding the full life cycle of the fish, which will rely on tissue sampling, genetics, and collaboration with commercial fishermen.
We’re also working with lodges and operations from Mexico to Peru, not only to collect scientific data from each region, but to educate anglers on IGFA’s best practices for catch and release and have them capture economic impact surveys from their guests.
Led by Ben Meadows, PhD, the Project’s economic impact study will work in tandem with findings from the scientific study to give us a coastwide picture of the species, support sustainable management, and show the true value of roosterfish, ecologically, culturally, and economically.
Flylords: Who are some of the people who made this film possible? Any ‘Thank you’s” or dedications you want to make?
Hannah: Absolutely, a massive thank-you to Juan Lucero, Grant Hartman, and Frank Smethurst, who paved the way for every angler chasing roosterfish in Mexico today, and to Jose “Pepe” Berrera. Their willingness to be part of this project was incredibly meaningful, and their knowledge, stories, and passion grounded the entire film.
On the project side, we want to give a special thanks to the lodges and operations that were willing to join us for the project in its pilot year, including Tom Enderlin of Fly Fishing Costa Rica and Chuck Hill & Marvin Rodriguez of 4 Corners Costa Rica, who have been instrumental in helping us get this crazy idea off the ground.
Most importantly, we want to extend a huge thank-you to IGFA & Sofia for leading the charge on roosterfish research and partnering with us on this mission, allowing us to play a small role in supporting their groundbreaking work.
This film is ultimately about awareness, conservation, and protecting a species that deserves far more than our pursuit. We have no doubt this list will only continue to grow as this project unfolds!
