Making a Splash at the Chagford Film Festival
Fly Rods, Big Screens, and even larger fishing tales head to Dartmoor
Chagford, Devon – It’s not every day we get to swim into the spotlight of a film festival, but this year, TACA are casting far and wide. And this time, it’s not for fish, but for passionate cinema lovers.
We’re thrilled (and just a little excited) to announce that TACA will be hosting a film at the 2025 Chagford Film Festival, taking place from Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th September. While the exact date of our screening is still top secret (or still being finalised - depending on who you ask), one thing’s for sure: The fly fishing scene is finally getting the screen time it deserves!
Lights, Camera… Cast
So, what’s the film?
It’s known as The Fly Fishing Film Tour and is now in its 19th year. For 2025, it’s back with another unforgettable collection of captivating stories, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable characters from the world of fly fishing. This feature-length film comprises a series of short films and takes audiences on a cinematic journey to remote waters, hidden rivers, and vibrant communities - from high glacial streams to untamed tropical flats.
The ‘Tour’ part comes in the fact that venues across the world host screenings throughout the year to increase awareness and promote the amazing locations and people who fly fish. Each film highlights not only the thrill of the cast but also the deep connection between people, nature, and conservation. With stunning cinematography, compelling storytelling, and a shared passion for the outdoors, these films celebrate the adventure, camaraderie, and stewardship that define the pastime of fly fishing.
Whether you're a die-hard angler or simply love stories of wild places and human connection, The Fly Fishing Film Tour offers something for everyone.
Think of it as the Coachella of casting, the Cannes of caddis flies, or the Oscars of "oh no, I’ve stuck it in that tree again!"
This is storytelling and short films at their finest, done with breathtaking style (and with a decent number of beards and banjos).
Find out more about its mission and history at flyfilmtour.com
Taken from one of the films - The Cream: After surviving a near-fatal heart attack, Leif Stavmo has a new lease on life and a determination to spend his remaining days fishing the very best places in the world.
Why Dartmoor and why TACA?
Because Dartmoor isn’t just about granite tors and stubborn ponies. It also happens, in my eyes at least, to be one of the UK’s finest wild fishing regions. And nestled in the heart of it all and flowing at the bottom of the hill in Chagford is the River Teign - a beautiful, meandering, mysterious ribbon of life that has inspired anglers, artists, poets, and conservationists for generations.
The River Teign offers everything a fly fisher can ever dream of:
Pristine habitat
Wild brown trout and elusive sea trout
Hidden pools and mossy gorges
Tranquillity that is disturbed only by the occasional profanity when a fish refuses to rise, or, you catch your first wild fish.
But here’s the catch (pun 100% intended):
Far too many people still don’t realise the treasure we have flowing through our own back garden. That’s why TACA is taking to the big screen - not just to celebrate fly fishing, but to raise awareness about this incredible river, the spectacular fishing that’s available, and the vital conservation work needed to protect it and allow it to thrive long after we’ve all gone.
Film, Flies, and the Future
If all goes to plan, we’ll kick off with a brief introduction from TACA, where we’ll say a few heartfelt and occasionally humorous words about the joys and challenges of fly fishing on Dartmoor, and our recent work carried out during the River Teign Restoration Project.
Post screening, we’ll also be hosting a Q&A session, allowing you to ask questions about the river, the fish, the films, or why fly anglers need so many pockets! Meet some of the volunteers and experts who are working tirelessly to improve the Teign’s salmon and trout habitat. And, more importantly, get inspired to pick up a fly rod, get involved - or at least appreciate those who do.
Dartmoor stands as an unparalleled destination for fly fishing, offering a diverse and pristine environment where both novice and experienced anglers can fully immerse themselves. Its network of crystal-clear rivers, bubbling streams, and tranquil pools provides ideal habitat for migratory species.
The region’s rich biodiversity, coupled with the stunning natural landscape of rolling moorlands and ancient woodlands, creates not just a fishing experience but a sanctuary for wildlife enthusiasts. I think of each cast here as an opportunity to connect with nature in one of England’s most unspoilt and dynamic ecosystems.
By using this event to raise awareness of Dartmoor’s potential, we invite you to discover the delicate balance of conservation and angling excellence that defines this remarkable area. Engaging with Dartmoor’s waters means supporting sustainable fishing practices that safeguard these habitats for generations to come.
When and Where?
Now for the important stuff…
Date: Sometime between Monday 22nd and Saturday 27th September 2025
Location: The Chagford Film Festival (The Globe Inn)
Tickets: Will be available soon through the Chagford Film Festival website & The Globe Inn, Chagford
Mood: Equal parts scenic, soulful, and salmonid-tinged
Dress code: Waders optional, enthusiasm essential!
Watch this space - As soon as the date is agreed within the Programme, we shall add it to the website calendar and let you all know!
Why this Matters
And finally, now for the serious stuff…
At its heart, this isn’t just about fly fishing - it’s about a wider connection. To our rivers, to nature, to heritage, and to each other.
By bringing stories of other rivers and their guardians to the screen, we hope to spark curiosity, conversation, and maybe even a few new fly fishers and volunteers along the way.
And let’s be honest, what better way to spend an evening than in a dark room admiring beautiful fish and pristine habitats in cinematic slow motion while nibbling popcorn and enjoying a drink!?