Friday, April 24, 2026 • Wright Opera House, Ouray • Doors 5:00 PM • Films 6:00 PM
A Decade for the Uncompahgre
Get Your Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 Tickets – 10th Annual Benefit for the Uncompahgre River
The Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 is coming to Ouray, Colorado for the first time. Ten years ago, RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service helped launch something special in Ridgway Colorado: a local benefit built around the Fly Fishing Film Tour, the world’s premier fly fishing film event, to raise money for the river we all call home. This April, we celebrate a decade of that tradition.
The 10th Annual F3T Benefit for the Uncompahgre River returns on Friday, April 24th at the Wright Opera House in Ouray, hosted by RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service and Telluride Angler. In those ten years, this event has raised over $36,000 for the Uncompahgre River, with more than half dedicated to future fish habitat improvement projects. Last year alone, the event raised $6,000.
That money has gone to work. Mining activity upstream has affected water quality for years and the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership has been at the table through monitoring, advocacy, and hands-on restoration, including efforts to reduce zinc levels in Red Mountain Creek and protect native cutthroat trout in Cow Creek. This event is how our community shows their support and helps fund some of that work. Every dollar counts towards the greater goals of UWP.
100% of the proceeds go directly to the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership for projects that improve river health and habitat within the Uncompahgre River Valley.
Experience the Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 in vintage perfection at the Ouray Wright Opera House. Entry is limited to 145 people. Buy your tickets today.
What to Expect
A Full Evening at the Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 Benefit
Doors open at 5:00 PM. Plan to arrive early to enjoy everything before the films roll at 6:00 PM.
Door Prize
A surprise super swag bag from film sponsors and RIGS. Watch our social media for hints on what’s inside.
Drawings
Skwala, Yeti, Costa, Patagonia, Orvis, Simms, Fishpond, Alpacka Raft, Mayfly, and more.
Silent Auction
Special auction items from Troutmount, Telluride Anglers, and RIGS Fly Shop.
2026 F3T Fly Tying Competition
5:30 PM in the mezzanine, upstairs at Wright Opera House. $10 entry per competitor. There will be 3 rounds in the fly tying competition, with prizes for the winner of each round. Vices, tools, and materials will be provided for 12 tyers. Participants may bring their own vices and tools. The total number of entries will be capped by available tying materials.
Round 1: Most Worms in 1 Minute
Competitors tie as many Squirmy Worms as they can in 60 seconds on size 14 hooks. A tie-breaker will be determined by fly quality, with an additional 30-second round if needed.
Round 2: Foamiest Chubby
Competitors have 5 minutes to tie the foamiest Chubby Chernobyl, including buggy legs and poly wings on a size 6 hook. The fly with the most pieces of foam wins. Foam is provided in sheets, not pre-stamped. The most creative fly wins in the event of a tie.
Round 3: Iron Fly, Pink Cahill — Sponsored by Nice Flies Finish Last
The Pink Cahill is an iconic Paco fly tied for the August Pale Morning Dun hatch on the Uncompahgre. These mayflies hatch pink rather than the usual tan or yellow because of the high iron content in the Uncompahgre River. Competitors have 5 minutes in this Iron Fly round to create the perfect Pink Cahill dry fly.
Pizza from Colorado Boy and a cash bar round out the evening.
Thank you to Alpine Bank for your support of this event.
20th Anniversary Edition
2026 Fly Fishing Film Tour Program Highlights
The Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 celebrates its 20th anniversary with a lineup that spotlights wild places, inspiring conservation stories, and the people who live and breathe fly fishing. Whether you are a lifelong angler or new to the sport, this year’s program delivers a cinematic journey worth seeing on the big screen.
Lines Unbroken
Follows a testicular cancer survivor and his son on adventures chasing steelhead in British Columbia, trout in Alaska, and striped bass in the California Delta.
Black Sheep
A film by local legend Jako Lucas featuring pacu fishing in the jungle.
Return of The Guide: Jurassic Lake
An RA Beattie film set in a premier rainbow trout fishery.
Rooster Fly Project
Joe Gugino’s film highlighting a scientific study on roosterfish.
Behind the Lens Series
Includes “Black Sheep” (Will Poston) and “Yukon Resurrection” (Max Inchausti).
Watch the Trailer
F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 Official Trailer
The Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 celebrates its 20th anniversary with stunning cinematography, compelling narratives, and adrenaline-filled moments on the water from across the globe.
F3T 2026 — 20th Anniversary Fly Fishing Film Tour
100% of proceeds benefit the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership.
Every ticket, every bid, every drawing entry goes directly to improving river health and fish habitat in the Uncompahgre River Valley.
Friday, April 24, 2026 • Wright Opera House, Ouray, Colorado • Capacity 145