Looking Through Water, the newest fly fishing film, follows the story of a father and son duo as they reconnect through a fly fishing tournament in Belize. For fly fishing, this is the biggest movie since A River Runs Through It, and accurately portraying it to seasoned anglers is no easy task. Time and time again, movies and shows have got it wrong, whether it be incorrect gear, casting techniques, or simple terminology. However, that is not the case for Looking Through Water. Legendary fly fishing guide and angler, Paul Dixon, was on set as the fly fishing coordinator, ensuring every scene was correct. After watching the movie, here are some of the more important things Looking Through Water got right.
Time Period Correct Rods and Reels
A lot of fly fishing scenes often cheap out when it comes to props—rods and reels. When it comes to Looking Through Water, that is not the case. Paul Dixon and the other anglers associated with the project likely had a lot of say in this. The reel used in most of the scenes is an Islander Reel. Made in Vancouver, BC, these reels are known for their cork drags, dependability, and ability to tame powerful saltwater reels. While we’re not sure exactly what size they used, it looks like a No. 2, which would make sense for the bonefish they are targeting. The crew even went as far as mounting the reel with a right-hand retrieve, a common practice across saltwater fly fishing.
Catch and Release Fishing
Throughout the movie, the characters catch a variety of fish from bonefish to trout. In each scene, the crew made sure to use proper catch and release methods, ensuring no fish were harmed. To achieve this, intimate knowledge of how to best handle these fish is crucial. This likely stemmed from the role of Paul Dixon and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust in bringing the movie to life. Properly portraying catch-and-release angling on the big screen is a big step in getting this message to the masses.
Casting a Fly Rod
Fly fishing films, like A River Runs Through It, brought fly fishing and some fictional techniques to the masses, like “shadow casting.” While it made for an entertaining movie, it had no real-world application. Looking Through Water took the opposite approach, ensuring the actors and stunt-doubles (fishing guides) could properly cast a fly rod. You’ll notice every fly fishing scene carefully depicts a proper double haul, retrieve, and strip set. The end result is a fly fishing movie that anglers can watch and appreciate.
Paul Dixon’s Leader Stretching Box
The production of Looking Through Water made sure they got every fly fishing scene right down to the props, one of which comes from Paul Dixon’s own collection. If you pay close attention, you’ll notice a wooden leader stretching box in the character William’s house. This box just happens to be one Paul Dixon purchased from a local woodworker when he was guiding in the Keys. While modern leader materials have eliminated the need for these boxes, it’s a nice touch for the time period this movie portrays.
Pangas Instead of Skiffs
The fly fishing scenes in Looking Through Water take place throughout a multi-species tournament in Belize. Like real tournaments, each day begins with a blast off as boats race to their spots and begin fishing. Since this film takes place in Belize, you’ll find every team eagerly waiting to run to their spots in a panga. These boats are popular throughout Central and South America. They are easily identified by their narrow beam, upswept bow, and flat or modified V hull. This unique combination of features makes for a boat that can draft shallow while also navigating rough seas.
Fish Predation
During the fishing tournament, viewers will notice a shark attack a fish (don’t worry, only CGI fish were harmed in the making of this). While we won’t give away any more specifics, this directly relates to the growing shark predation issue in saltwater fly fishing. Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is currently researching predation events across South Florida, specifically looking at the rise of shark predation on hooked fish. Depicting this issue in the film helps raise awareness on a larger scale, further supporting BTT’s mission to protect bonefish, tarpon, and permit.
Final Thoughts
Making a fly fishing movie is particularly challenging. On one hand, the movie needs to reach the masses, and on the other, it needs to appease the fly fishing community. Looking Through Water was able to achieve both with the help of Captain Paul Dixon. His expertise as a guide and seasoned angler is apparent in every fishing scene. From the knots, gear, casts, and lingo thrown around, this is a movie that any angler can appreciate.
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.
