Phil’s journey from fisheries biology to fly fishing content creator is a seamless blend of passion, expertise, and storytelling. With over 20 years of fly fishing experience and a natural knack for videography, Phil captures breathtaking moments on the water, offering viewers a unique glimpse into the world of fly fishing. In this interview, he shares his tips for perfecting the art of fishing and filming, offering valuable insights for aspiring content creators looking to elevate their game.

Phil, what inspired you to combine fly fishing with content creation, and how did you get started capturing those incredible moments on the water?

My background is in fisheries biology. I have a Masters of Natural Resources Management with an emphasis in Fisheries. I've been carrying a video camera around since I was a little kid and cameras were HUGE. I've been fly fishing for about 20 years, but I learned to fish while dunking worms and drowning hoppers as a tiny squirt. I started filming fly fishing content with a few buddies while finishing up my masters degree at Utah State. Mixing my passion for video and fly fishing just came as the natural result of my career paths and interests. Finally, mixing in the need to discover pushed my content style to exotic locations, creepy finds, and some fish of a million lifetimes.

When it comes to filming or photographing fly fishing, what are your top three tips for getting the perfect shot while out on the water?

1) Learn photo/video composition. Composition is king when filming and framing shots. A simple understanding of the rule of thirds can bring your content to the next level.

2) Learn how to use light. Be willing to shoot early and late to get the lighting right. My most memorable shots have happened when I have worked hard for a shot while chasing perfect light.

3) Tell a story. Don't just show the world fish. We all want to hear a good story and the best content creators are good at THAT.

Your shots have a unique style. Can you walk us through your go-to camera setup and the gear you rely on for your content creation?

I shoot a lot more slo-motion than most content creators. I like the idea of being able to capture something that often happens so quickly that we barely have the mental capacity to realize what happened, let alone enjoy it. A slow video of a trout sipping a dry off the surface allows the world to enjoy such a moment for a couple of seconds as opposed to it happening in the blink of an eye. I like the challenge of the shots people don't want to take the time to get. It often means setting down the rod in the middle of a hatch to get the shot instead of bringing the fish to hand. That being said, I shoot tons of camera gear from various go pros and drones to a Sony FX6 and everything in between. My pack is HEAVY.

Lighting and conditions can be unpredictable on the water. How do you adjust your approach to shooting when the natural environment isn’t ideal?

It goes back to storytelling for me. I like to capture everything. Even when weather or fishing conditions aren't ideal, it all strengthens the story and narrative. When the light isn't good, shoot. When the fishing isn't good, shoot. But, you often have to get a bit more creative to make up for the lack of good light or fish.

For aspiring creators looking to up their game, what advice would you give on balancing fishing and filming to get the best results?

Get a buddy that's good on a camera and with a rod. I fish with dudes that are amazing anglers AND camera operators. Gilbert Rowley, Derek Olthuis, Nic Heslop, and Cort Boice just to name a few. When everyone can fish and film, everybody wins. Whether I'm fishing or filming, I'm having just as much fun. It's the same with these fine gents.