There are few things better in fly fishing than the take on a swung fly. Swinging through a run, tight line in hand when suddenly a fish latches on your fly and starts peeling line, especially when it is an Atlantic salmon. Recently we came across The Serpentine, a film by Voltfuse exploring Newfoundland and Labrador in search of Atlantic salmon. This film encapsulated all aspects of salmon fishing–swinging flies, epic locations, and the highs and lows of a salmon camp–and we had to know more.
We sat down with Voltfuse to learn more about this film project, its challenges, and Atlantic salmon fishing. Matt Scott, firefighter, guide, and main character of the film, and Alex Henniffent, founder of Voltfuse, hit the road with minimal funding to make this epic film come together. In this first installment of Featured Film join us as we learn what it took to make this project a reality.
Flylords: What is Voltfuse?
Alex: I met Matt through snowboarding, and if we look back, Voltfuse is a brand driven by snowboarding. I started the business in 2010 to foster snowboarding here in Atlantic Canada. At that time, there wasn’t much community-oriented approach towards developing the sport, increasing participation, and organizing programs and competitions to raise awareness about snowboarding in this region. That’s how it all began.
Fast forward 10 years, we’ve been deeply involved in the snowboard industry, developing products. About two or three years ago, Matt and I were working on another documentary film Voltfuse was producing. Our paths had yet to cross much beyond snowboarding prior. That trip was Matt’s first exposure to how we produce films within the snowboarding community and when he realized there was significant synergy between the communities of snowboarding and fly fishing.
Having been a guide in Labrador for many years, Matt had firsthand experience of the exceptional natural beauty, fishing opportunities, and the unique characters frequenting those rivers. Many of these stories were largely unknown and untold, but Matt saw their value and was determined to highlight them. That’s where the spark ignited, and Matt was persistent in making this project happen.
Flylords: What made Voltfuse choose the Serpentine and what does that river mean to you?
Matt: To be honest, it turned out to be a happy accident. Initially, we had the idea to focus on the Eagle River, where I’ve been fishing for the past 14 years and knew countless stories. However, due to logistical challenges and funding constraints, we couldn’t make it happen there. My vision was broader—I wanted to tell stories from many different rivers, and one of those places dear to me is the Serpentine.
Ironically, I thought the Serpentine might be more difficult because of its remote nature. We had to rely on solar equipment for power, doing everything ourselves without the support of lodges, electricity, or motorized gear which is more typical in such locations. It turned into a fortunate situation when we couldn’t secure funding for the Eagle River. We decided to proceed independently with the Serpentine, which meant no other choice but to do it all on our own. The lodge we featured was fully booked, so apart from a few supplies they helped with halfway through the trip, we managed everything independently.
Having grown up on the West Coast, I knew the Serpentine’s story had to be told, particularly Ray Humber’s story—the man who established the camp there. I had never met him personally until filming, but he amazed us with stories that surpassed all the rumors and hearsay about him. Our goal with these films is to celebrate pioneers like Ray, who were on these rivers decades before us. It’s about bridging generations, ensuring that the stories of these trailblazers are remembered and appreciated by today’s younger anglers who might otherwise never know about them.
Flylords: How did Voltfuse turn this into a reality?
Matt: It was honestly quite a journey. We had to pivot four or five times before we finally found our footing. The idea for this project began right after we finished filming the North Pen Tapes, which, as Alex mentioned, was a small snowboarding film. It had a similar concept—going to a remote area in Newfoundland, not known for snowboarding, and showcasing it through the eyes of a snowboarder. We interviewed passionate locals about why they chose to live in such a remote place and incorporated that into the film.
We pitched this idea to numerous companies and individuals—people I knew from Labrador, clients I had guided, and anyone who might be interested. Our goal was to gather enough funding to support our film crew, cover essential costs like food and fuel, and basically bootstrap the entire operation. We managed to secure a few complimentary flights for our crew and enough funds to cover our basic expenses.
Alex: Ultimately, the proof of concept was crucial for us. Despite our confidence and our track record in snowboarding, potential partners in the fly-fishing industry understandably wanted to see tangible evidence that we could deliver. They didn’t want amateurs handling such specialized subjects like casting techniques and understanding the nuances of these rivers and fish. We understood their perspective completely.
Despite that, we persevered and completed our first film project. Our primary goal was to demonstrate to the world that we could effectively capture the essence of Atlantic Canada—its remarkable people, rivers, and especially the iconic Atlantic salmon. It’s truly a perfect setting for something extraordinary.
With this proof of concept in hand, we’re now expanding our horizons. We have several other projects in the works, exploring different rivers and locations. Recently, Matt spent time in Labrador conducting reconnaissance and connecting with locals from various river communities. This ongoing exploration and expansion excite us as we look forward to scaling our efforts and pursuing the opportunities we’ve identified.
Flylords: Can you tell us more about the characters in the film?
Matt: We carefully selected our team of four: myself, Alex, and our two filmers, Dru and Jake. With our longstanding history and shared experiences from previous trips, we knew each other’s strengths and capabilities. This mutual understanding allowed us to hit the ground running as soon as we arrived, focusing on building the project with confidence and efficiency.
Within the film, the characters we featured were Bill Butt and Tyler Butt. Bill, a retired teacher turned guide, is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hiking, hunting, and fishing. He passed down his extensive skills and love for the outdoors to his son, Tyler, marking a beautiful generational exchange. Bill’s connection to Ray Humber, the founder of Newfound Outfitting, added depth to the narrative. Ray’s journey from a grocery store co-op worker to a trailblazer in outdoor adventures is remarkable. Starting with hut-to-hut hiking, Ray transitioned into salmon fishing and moose hunting, transforming his camp into the renowned Salmon Lodge in Serpentine Valley. His story reflects a deep-rooted passion passed down through generations, from his grandfather to him and now to those he inspires.
As for myself, I also played a role in the film, contributing to the narrative alongside these incredible characters. Together, we brought to life the rich history, personal stories, and natural beauty of Atlantic Canada, highlighting its world-class rivers and the enduring legacy of those who cherish and protect them.
Enduring through the challenges we faced over those eight days, especially with the relentless rainstorm dumping 80 millimeters of rain, truly tested our resilience. Many people might have considered packing up and leaving, but our crew’s cohesion and familiarity with each other’s capabilities made all the difference. If we hadn’t known each other so well, we might have entertained the thought of quitting.
Flylords: What are some challenges that you faced while creating this film?
Matt: We showed up knowing full well that a big weather system was coming, but at the time, the weather was beautiful as you see in the intro, and vibes were high. Fishing was good, everything was shaping up to be an awesome trip. We were nervous that we would only have a few days before the weather turned.
Despite having decent fishing initially, we lost a lot of fish right from the beginning. As soon as the rain started, everything went dead. So, the challenge then became, “Okay, we’re not going to catch any fish right now. The water’s rising, it’s muddy, there’s not much action. What can we do to take advantage of this downtime? How can we be proactive or productive doing other things?” That’s when we shot a lot of our B-roll and conducted more interviews. Because at the end of the day, this place isn’t all about the fish. It’s so beautiful that just being there is one of the most special things.
The bugs were another challenge. Especially after the rain, all the mosquitoes seemed to hatch at once. Before the rain, we didn’t have any issues, but after, it was brutal. Every day brought its own little challenges that we had to overcome. Once we got through them, though, we found silver linings and could appreciate sitting around the campfire at night and just being grateful for where we were.
In the end, the entire trip became an amazing challenge to overcome and just get it done over the finish line. For myself, the lack of fish added a lot of pressure. Having fished my whole life, I’ve never really cared about coming home with fish or not. But for this particular film, my mindset was focused on how to make a fly-fishing film without catching a single fish.
Flylords: What made you choose to target Atlantic salmon?
Matt: Atlantic salmon is my primary target fish. Their migratory nature is quite mind-blowing when you consider what these fish achieve in their lifetime. Their migratory pattern begins when they enter our river systems to spawn in our headwaters. After hatching, they reside in our river system for two or three years before journeying to sea, where they experience exponential growth. Once at sea, they depart Newfoundland and travel all the way to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and eventually return to their birthplace river to spawn. Unlike other salmon, they do not die after spawning. Instead, they turn around in spring with the runoff, return to the sea, and repeat the entire cycle, feeding on bait fish before returning to their river of origin. For me, it’s the mystique and mystery of their journey and their return to the same place every summer that captivates me.
Alex: Yeah, it’s truly amazing. I echo that sentiment too—their instinctual journey and how they effortlessly find their way back to their home waters to complete their cycles. It’s awe-inspiring to witness their natural instincts at work.
Matt: Then, you think about how many humans migrate to see them from all over the world. They come right back to these specific rivers, offering people the opportunity to encounter these fish. It’s mind-boggling when you consider the distances involved when you combine both migrations. It’s a wild series of events that lead to connecting with these fish. That fish traveled through Norway, Greenland, Iceland, and returned to this river. You might have been in the United States, flew to western Canada, then came here and connected with that fish. It’s a crazy little circle of life.
Flylords: What should a beginner expect while targeting Atlantic salmon?
Matt: A typical introduction to fly-fishing for Atlantic salmon would involve swinging flies, often at the surface. Many use floating lines in about three and a half to four feet of water, so sinking lines aren’t typically necessary unless fishing deeper pools. Hooks tend to be small, ranging from size 10 to 4, with various traditional European patterns adopted in Newfoundland.
You start by swinging wet flies with a short line, especially in pools where fish gather. Each cast extends by six inches, allowing the fly to swing through gradually until you engage with fish. You can also target fish by observing features like rocks, akin to trout fishing, although salmon don’t wait behind rocks to feed on drifting food; instead, they seek shelter in hydro pockets for rest and oxygen before continuing their upstream journey.
One key aspect to explain is that once salmon enter the river system, they do not feed; their mission is solely to reach their birthplace to spawn. There are numerous techniques and beliefs regarding why salmon chase flies despite not feeding. Some believe it’s an instinct from their days as small salmon in the river, while others think it might annoy them. This mystery is part of what makes salmon fishing intriguing—you never quite know why they strike the fly.
Flylords: Do you have a next trip in mind to return to the Serpentine?
Matt: We went down for just a couple of nights, just me and one of my buddies before I headed up to Labrador. So we arrived, and again, it was a mission; they didn’t have as good of a run this year. Salmon counts were down a bit, and they’ve also been struggling with no rain. The government just closed a bunch of our rivers due to that. But as a crew of four, our sights are now set on trying to do another film next year. That’s our hope.
Flylords: What is the key message that you hope viewers take away from this film?
Matt: Personally, and it ties back to my message at the end of the film, I think it’s crucial to remember to take a step back and appreciate the people who are there and those who came before us. Their stories deserve to be told and are important—they’re the reason we’re there.
