Looking Through Water is the newest fly fishing movie to hit the big screen, and one you don’t want to miss. The film follows the story of a father and son duo, who rekindle their relationship during a fly fishing tournament in Belize. With that comes drama, plot twists, and plenty of fly fishing scenes to keep seasoned anglers glued to the screen. After watching it, the only thing that comes to mind is fly fishing’s other famous movie, A River Runs Through It. While the stories are different, both films offer a complex and compelling story guided by the pursuit of fly fishing we know and love. And if that’s not a compelling enough reason to go see Looking Through Water in theaters, here are our 5 reasons you should.
Fly Fishing Cameos
Spotting celebrity cameos is a fun pastime in any movie you watch. Add to that fly fishing cameos, and it gets even better. Looking Through Water was brought to life with the help of some prominent guides, anglers, and fly fishing personas who just so happen to appear in cameos throughout the movie. We won’t spoil the fun and tell you who, but keep your eyes peeled during the film. There are several scenes where these notable figures will show up.
Fly Fishing Done Right
Legendary captain and angler Paul Dixon was on set for the filming of Looking Through Water as the fly fishing coordinator. His job was to make sure every scene was perfectly curated down to the blood knots tied. The result is a fly fishing movie that anglers can watch without having to nitpick every little thing. For a complete list of what the movie got right, check out our list HERE.
Fishing Metaphors Only Anglers Understand
Capturing why anglers go fishing is no easy task. Even seasoned anglers can struggle explaining this to curious non-anglers. This unwritten anglers’ code is something even the best writers and directors can struggle to convey. However, that is not the case in Looking Through Water. Throughout the film, several scenes and lines flawlessly capture fly fishing code in a manner that any angler can relate to, which is no easy task. For anglers, it’s a welcome sight to see a film capture the emotion of the pursuit they love.
Acting That Does Fly Fishing Justice
We’ve all seen fishing movies and shows that don’t do fly fishing justice. Oftentimes, a big issue with these low-budget films is outright terrible acting. Even if they do get the fishing scenes right, getting through the rest of the movie can be a cringe-inducing process.
Luckily for Looking Through Water, that is not the case. The star-studded cast includes some incredible actors and came to life as Michael Douglas was looking for a movie he could do with his son, Cameron Douglas. They play two of the movie’s main characters along with David Morse and Michael David-Stahl, and all have the acting chops to do the film justice. In terms of outdoors-related movies, it’s refreshing to see emphasis placed on acting.
A Story Line That Actually Speaks to Fly Anglers
Looking Through Water is based on Bob Rich’s book by the same title and his memoir Catching Big Fish. Drawing inspiration from both, director Roberto Sneider was able to craft a compelling and engaging story. Sure, the fly fishing scenes are great, but having a plot and characters that keep you hooked throughout is what every great movie needs. Between scenes of saltwater fly fishing, you’ll find plot twists, powerful messaging, and a story that solidifies this movie as an instant fly fishing classic.
Final Thoughts
It’s not often that fly anglers get a chance to see their favorite hobby hit the big screen. It’s even rarer to see it come to life in a manner that does fly fishing justice. That is exactly what Looking Through Water achieved in this film. Best of all, this movie is one you can actually enjoy in theaters.
For tickets to Looking Through Water in a theater near you, visit their website HERE. The film premieres on September 12th.
Looking Through Water is an upcoming American drama film directed by Roberto Sneider, written by Zach Dean and Rowdy Herrington, and starring Michael Stahl-David, David Morse, Cameron Douglas, Walker Scobell, and Michael Douglas. It is based on Bob Rich‘s 2015 novel Looking Through Water and his 2025 memoir Catching Big Fish.
