The International Fly Fishing Film Festival®, or IF4, will be held in Sylva, NC at the Quin Theater on February 24, 2018 at 7 p.m. Tickets to the festival are $15 and are available for purchase online (https://www.showclix.com/event/if42018sylvanc) and through the Tuckasegee Fly Shop in Sylva. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the local trout in the classroom program.

IF4 will showcase exclusive short and feature-length films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe, showcasing the passion, lifestyle and culture of fly fishing. This event and the films to be featured are already capturing the attention of anglers around the world.

“We are thrilled and honored to host the International Fly Fishing Film Festival in Sylva,” said Nick Breedlove, Director of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority. “We are excited to welcome attendees from across the country and invite them to explore all that Jackson County has to offer. With Jackson County boasting the only fly fishing trail in the country, anglers in attendance will have no shortage of activities to explore and enjoy during their visit.”

“Those coming for the film fest should come a day early and stay a day later,” Breedlove said. “Make a weekend out of it. Late February fly fishing is incredible in Jackson County.”

Jackson County, a hotspot for fly fishing, is home to the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail and is North Carolina’s Trout Capital. The WNC Fly Fishing Trail is made up of 15 spots along the county’s 4,600 miles of streams and rivers. One of the most popular areas along the trail is the Tuckasegee River, where fly fisherman of all levels can test their skills in search of brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Request a free map in advance of your trip to the Film Festival at www.flyfishingtrail.com. Jackson County also houses the state’s longest contiguous stretch of Mountain Heritage Trout Waters with three points throughout Sylva, Dillsboro and Webster. Through the Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program, visitors can fish in the designated areas with a three-day permit for just $5.

For where to stay in Jackson County, please visit https://www.discoverjacksonnc.com/lodging/. To learn more about the film festival, please visit http://www.flyfilmfest.com/.

Feature photo courtesy Hooke/Bird Marketing Group