Featured Film is an opportunity for us to share with you some of our favorite fly fishing films. Oftentimes, these films take us on epic adventures, fishing for exotic fish and stretching the bounds of what many of us think was possible in fly fishing. Yet, every so often, a film comes along that highlights great causes and impactful work. This is one of these films. Fish for Change works to create positive change through fly fishing by uniting diverse young people in pristine natural settings. Through their programs, students engage in education, cultural exchange, conservation, and community-building, all while forming a deeper bond with nature and each other. Recently, Fish for Change debuted its first film, highlighting the incredible story and work being done to make this mission a reality. Follow along as we sit down with executive director Heather Harkavy to learn more about this incredible organization.
Flylords: What is Fish for Change?
Heather: “Fish for Change takes students abroad each summer to Honduras, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Students come together with a shared passion for the outdoors and are placed in our immersive education programs. We learn through a place rather than about it. Throughout the course of our programs students create community around the sport of fly fishing they love with peers from all different backgrounds. We team up with local conservation groups to participate and learn more about how environments in different locations are struggling and how we can actively make a difference in lives. We run scavenger hunts, home-stays, local scholarships, guide training programs, and create bonds with the communities we are in. We hold evening writing prompts and engaging activities that help students to think outside of the box. Our goal is to create a generation of anglers that hold qualities of empathy, curiosity, and leadership.”
Flylords: Who was the group filmed in this video?
Heather: “This was a group of ten teenagers that have all grown up with Fish for Change. They joined us for our college/alumni week we host each summer in Guanaja, Honduras. These students joined us everywhere, from Honduras to Colorado to Hawaii and everything in between. That’s the beauty of Fish for Change. Each week holds space for a diverse pool of students from different backgrounds to come together and celebrate their love for fly fishing. Strangers become quick friends and family in these environments. This group of students has grown into leaders within the organization.”
Flylords: Who made this film?
Heather: “Well, for years I haven’t wanted to make a Fish for Change film. Our story is so precious along with these weeks. I always thought a film crew showing up would take away from the experience. That’s until I met Preston Hoffman. I knew he got it. I knew he would show up and add nothing but organic value with his big heart and creative perspective. Having Preston film was an added value to the week as he captured the F4C feeling brilliantly. The magic of Fish for Change is impossible to capture in words and stills. I will forever be grateful this film could pick up on this magic. Sorry to call you out bud, but Preston and I cried together when he left because it was so deeply impactful and profound of a week.”
Flylords: What was the intention behind this film?
Heather: “We are all fishing for change every day in our lives. On and off the water. We can take fishing, hunting, diving, climbing, whatever it may be that inspires us and make it a platform for great change. Build community. Ask big questions. Connect with others. See how you can give back. Learn about places outside your comfort zone. Protect the things you love with all your heart. We hope this film inspires people and reminds them that the next generation has their head on right.”
Flylords: Where are you located?
Heather: We currently run programs in Honduras, the Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colorado. Our HQ is based in Colorado. In each of our locations, we team up with the local lodge and have a local representative to steer the direction of our curriculum.
Flylords: Can you explain your local scholarship initiative a little more?
Heather: “Each week, we have a few spots available for local students who are interested in being fly fishing guides or working in ecotourism. Our hope is to introduce a new generation of fly fishing guides to the amazing career of fly fishing and sustainable tourism. This creates an organic cultural exchange amongst students, and local scholarship students serve as leaders within their communities.”
Flylords: What if a student can’t afford to join programs?
Heather: “That is actually one of our biggest goals with Fish for Change! We NEVER want these programs to be cost-prohibitive. Therefore, we team up with great brands like SA, Chums, Bajio Sunglasses, Yellow Dog, Duck Camp, and Yeti to fund students’ trips. You can apply here: https://www.fishforchange.org/financial-aid-opportunities.html”
Flylords: Why should you donate to Fish for Change?
Heather: “This is the next generation of leaders and change-makers in the sport of fly fishing. The next generation of consumers, conservationists, thought leaders, and fish photographers. We always talk about the ripple effect at Fish for Change. Throw a pebble in a pond, and who knows what kind of ripples it can create? Well, here at Fish for Change, we create boulders, and the waves they make are magnificent.”
Flylords: Where can we learn more?
Heather: To learn more about the incredible work Fish for Change is doing, visit our website (www.fishforchange.org). You can also find us on Instagram and other socials @fishforchange.
