BY KAREN BOSSICK

A chance encounter in a fly-fishing shop in Northern British Columbia led to a friendship between two women—one with a contagious giggle. The two locked eyes and, while life’s currents often moved them in opposite directions, they kept being drawn back together by the river.

Their story is captured in a unique lavishly filmed steelhead film titled “Two Roads on the River,” which reflects on the choices that shaped their lives.

And it will be one of several films shown in the 2026 International Fly Fishing Film Festival, which will be held Friday, Feb. 13, at The Argyros in Ketchum.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the films start at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $6.26 for youth 6 through 18 and free for those five and under, available online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35937/production/1260841?performanceId=11737331.

The evening, hosted by the local Hemingway Chapter of Trout Unlimited, is designed to raise money for youth education programs provided by Trout Unlimited Hemingway Chapter, 5B Anglers and Project Big Wood.

Each ticket includes a complimentary raffle entry for a chance to win a float trip for two on the Upper Salmon River donated by White Otter Outfitters. There also will be door prizes, kids’ raffles and a silent auction.

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) is a curated collection of world-class films and cinematic storytelling from independent fly-fishing filmmakers around the globe.

In other words: Big fish. Wild places. Powerful stories.

This year’s screening are packed with stunning visuals, epic adventures and nonstop stoke, according to JeanMarie Bousquet.

“It’s the first time we’ve been able to offer a float trip down the Salmon River with White Otter,” said Trout Unlimited member Richard Linville. “I’m probably the worst fisherman in the whole bunch. But I love that we can educate people about fish recovery and restore the rivers to help fish recover.”