CLEAR INTENTIONS: Steelhead, Storytelling, and Advocacy with Chase White on The Flyfish Journal

The Flyfish Journal 16.2’s Gallery featured the work of photographer/director Chase White with an introduction from writer Jesse L. Robbins. “To capture anadromous fishing effectively, artfully and creatively,” Robbins wrote, “is to be able, first, to identify a handful of meaningful moments over the course of a trip, and shoot them in a way that hasn’t been done before and will resonate and inspire. As we prepared for our first day on the water, it became clear that the passion and focus of the anglers were matched by our photographer, Chase White.”

White wears many hats: photographer, director, conservationist, advocate, dad and steelhead obsessive are just a few of them. Through a sort of wizardry that eludes most, he’s managed to fold many, if not all, of those hats into one most of the time—you’ll rarely find him wearing just one.

If he’s directing a film, there’s a good chance it has a conservation focus regarding an issue he’s a fierce advocate for. If he’s out fishing, he’s likely brought along both his little boy and his camera. This mixing and matching of passions and identities has allowed White to live a life full of intention among the rivers and mountains of his adopted home in Squamish, British Columbia.

“Clear Intentions” is a short film companion to the Gallery of White’s work featured in TFFJ 16.2. To see the issue and subscribe, visit: https://www.theflyfishjournal.com/issue/16-2/

Directed and Produced by Jason Rolfe

Film and Edit by Colby Mesick

Additional footage provided by Asher Koles

AWARD: Episodic Series Directed by Chase White Garners Gold Honors at 2024 Shorty Awards

The Shorty Awards is an international awards competition honoring the best work by brands, agencies, nonprofits, and individuals across digital and social platforms.

More specifically, the Shorty Impact Award is an annual international awards program dedicated to honoring the purpose-driven work created by brands, agencies, nonprofits, and individuals to ignite positive societal change.

The episodic series directed by Chase White for Ford and Wyoming embarked its talent on an immersive journey across the state, aiming to showcase its diverse landscapes, rugged camaraderie, and authentic adventures.

Along the way, teams met up with Wyoming-based organizations focused on access, preservation and stewardship of the land to award a generous $70,000 in grants from the Bronco Wild Fund.

At the end of the journey, the team with the most accumulated points was crowned the winning team and given an additional Bronco Wild Fund grant to donate an additional $10,000 to their favorite non-profit organization.

The series itself was an awareness-driving tactic set by the Wyoming Office of Tourism, focused on supporting discovery of the destination with new audiences. As such, aggressive goals of 8.5MM impressions and 6.2MM video views were set and outperformed due to compelling content and groundswell of interest in the series.

Quantitatively, the series outperformed every network benchmark and beat out editorial content, placing in the top pages of Outside’s vast network, ultimately delivering over 11.3M impressions that generated brand awareness (+32% over-delivery). These impressions included episode views, display, social impressions, video cutdown views, content pageviews, and more. All together, these impressions have driven over 8M video views of branded content (+30% over-delivery), 1.1M social views (+85% over-delivery) and 6M linear TV views (+20% over-delivery). In addition to filming 3 teams in 28 locations spanning 1,300 miles, 10 tattoos (long story) plus $70,000 donated to local organizations.

Chase Snags Latest Cover of The Flyfish Journal + Feature Article

As the professional bucket list grows shorter, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve shot the cover image of the latest issue of The Flyfish Journal.

Quoted in the article, from Asher Koles, a longtime friend, collaborator, and fellow photographer and videographer.:

“Chase is a Swiss Army Knife. He has experience in marketing, brand-building, and designing. He’s detail oriented, artistic, and analytical. When he directs his energy - like he’s doing now - he changes minds and industries.”

The Flyfish Journal remains committed to being fly fishing’s premier media product. Since 2009, The Flyfish Journal has established a visual revolution in sports publishing through clean, archival production and a focused style that emphasizes intelligent content with engaging design.

And from Mark Sherwood, Executive Director at Native Fish Society:

“When it comes to native fish and their rivers, a lot of people create beautiful art, but Chase also has the ability to capture their feeling, spirit, and magic. For us, collaborations with Chase are easy because of our shared appreciation and gratitude for these incredible creatures and the communities they foster.”

Considered to be the highest quality fly fishing magazine in the world, featuring the iconic individuals, stunning places and conservation issues at the core of global fly fish culture, The Flyfish Journal connects its readers to the best writers, photographers and artists of the sport.

In addition, the issue presents a featured gallery and article written by Jesse Lance Robbins about me, my approach to life, work, conservation and driving factors.

From Chase directly:

“The opportunity to work with great people, on projects that I'm passionate about and convinced will, in one way or another, help further our community, culture, and the places we are lucky to inhabit, is a thing of privilege that I don't take for granted,” White says. “If you ask me, I think we need more passion. More urgency. More care. And less bullshit."

Find the latest issue on shelves now at shops around the world, or at theflyfishjournal.com

AWARD: FORD Series Wildly Wyoming Wins The Coveted WEBBY Award

I’m a little late on posting the news but there have been some awards won this year that I need to catch up on. A personal favorite is winning the People’s Choice Webby Award for a series that I directed with Ford and Wyoming Office of Tourism called Wildly Wyoming.

In this original content series, three teams of Bronco Ambassadors set out to explore Wyoming’s wild places and connect and support with the people and organizations that help keep Wyoming wild. Teams used their Broncos to travel three distinct routes across Wyoming, traversing diverse landscapes to take on their challenges. Outside captured it all through an authentic, storytelling lens which was then produced and distributed through five 15-minute episodes, a custom interactive hub and across nearly all available avenues.

Each day of the journey, along each separate route, teams were faced with several physical, Bronco-based and giveback challenges to earn them points. Along the way, teams met up with Wyoming-based organizations focused on access, preservation and stewardship of the land to award a generous $70,000 in grants from Bronco Wild Fund.

Wildly Wyoming combined adventure, competition, and philanthropy to celebrate the beauty and spirit of Wyoming while promoting conservation efforts and outdoor accessibility. Through engaging storytelling and innovative media distribution, the program reached audiences far and wide, inspiring appreciation for wild spaces and community stewardship.

Quantitatively, the Wildly Wyoming series outperformed every network benchmark and beat out editorial content, placing in the top pages of Outside’s vast network ultimately delivering over 11.3M impressions that generated brand awareness (+32% over-delivery). These impressions included episode views, display, social impressions, video cutdown views, content pageviews, and more. All together, these impressions have driven over 8M video views of branded content (+30% over-delivery), 1.1M social views (+85% over-delivery) and 6M linear TV views (+20% over-delivery). In addition to filming 3 teams in 28 locations spanning 1,300 miles, 10 tattoos plus $70,000 donated to local organizations.

CREDITS:

+ DIRECTOR: @anadromous + PRODUCER: @marilou.fauteux + PROD. MANAGER: @madisonewall + PRODUCTION COORD: @katherineboivin + LEAD DP: @jordielepage + AD: @patrickmhenry + DP + CAM OP: @justin.loiselle + CAM OP: Jonathan Ferguson + CAM OP: @tommday + BLACK ARM: @harkanstudios + BLACK ARM + AC1: @mmxmessier + BLACK ARM/AC1/POV: @jpmontoulieu + DRONE + CAM OP: @camhootch + DRONE + CAM OP: @colindw + PHOTOGRAPHER: @kaylordastrup + PHOTOGRAPHER/CAM OP: @simmdub + PHOTOGRAPHER: @robbinstudio + AUDIO 1: @claudinepellerin + AUDIO 2: @_sambeaulieu + AUDIO 3: Ted Thacker + DIT / MEDIA MANAGER: Christopher Soucy + PA: @emllapointe + PA: @megmovesmountains + PA: @rrlauxx + OUTSIDE SUCCESS MGR: @ridiculeslie + AGENCY: @bvkhq + AGENCY: mindshare + VEHICLE HANDLER 1: Brandon Hermon + VEHICLE HANDLER 2: Sherry Kollien + VEHICLE HANDLER 3: Robbie Fain + POST PRODUCTION: @bowesmediainc + TOPO FILMS: @topofilms + BOOMBOX GROUP: @boomboxgroup + AMBASSADOR: @laelpauljohnson + AMBASSADOR: @andrew__muse + AMBASSADOR: @tyrhee.moore + AMBASSADOR: @micaylagatto + AMBASSADOR: @kayla__lockhart + AMBASSADOR: @coldfear

OUT NOW: Toyota Short Film feat Jesse Griffiths

Jesse Griffiths is an Austin-based chef, author, hunter, and fisherman, and he’s also the co-owner of Dai Due Butcher Shop & Supper Club and the New School of Traditional Cookery. Jesse’s work has been featured everywhere from The New York Times to the Joe Rogan Experience, and he’s a regular contributor to Steven Rinella’s MeatEater. As an author, Jesse has received great praise for his two books, the James Beard Award-finalist cookbook, Afield: A Chef’s Guide to Preparing and Cooking Wild Game and Fish, as well as his most recent title, The Hog Book: A Chef’s Guide to Hunting, Preparing, and Cooking Wild Pigs.

Born and raised in Denton, Texas, Jesse grew up obsessed with fishing– he loved catching the fish, but he also loved cooking and eating them. As a teenager, he started working in restaurants and became more and more interested in cooking– an interest that he pursued full-time after graduating from high school. Propelled by a deep curiosity and a desire to broaden his perspective, he would save up his money and then travel, studying food and cooking in a wide variety of cultures around the world. 

Eventually, Jesse combined all of his unique personal and professional experiences and opened his own restaurant, Dia Due, which features food that is “produced in a fair and equitable way, represent(s) local culinary traditions, and support(s) farmers and ranchers who are striving to improve the quality of our food.”

Patagonia Films Presents: TOM

When I first heard about this "Tom Derry" guy many years ago, I was northbound for Skeena country. People in respected circles kept telling me about this guy Tom. It sounded like he must be the most beloved man in steelheading. After we were introduced, Tom invited us to stay in his wall tent (Tom’s Place) on a remote river. It immediately became clear that Tom is indeed a very special human that I'm now proud to call a dear friend.

As Tom says, "Rivers and fish need friends." Tom is that friend. Few people have done more for the conservation of wild fish than this man.

I've now spent years sharing a wall tent in remote steelhead country with Tom, and when the opportunity arose to create a film about him with my close friend and collaborator @bloodknots, we jumped at it. With the support of Patagonia, we were able to make a film that hopefully represents the comedic and caring magic of what I can only hope to become one day - a person like Tom.

Tom also says, "When you connect with an animal or an issue, it becomes part of who you are." If that is true, at this point, Tom is certainly part steelhead.

The goal of the film is simple: inspire more people to be like Tom.

Watch the film trailer here:

And watch the full length film here on Patagonia’s YouTube channel:

Thank you @patagonia_flyfish, @epicwaters, @mszafka, @nicholasblixt, @mattmillette, @monikamcclure, @e_lovejoy, @slamdish, @typackard, @teddymuse, @seanblack, @joshderry, Connie Derry, Derek Botchford, @stevie.morrow, Bob Clay and the Clay Family, Tracy Buckner and the NFS staff, @michaelbrack, @sonjacoates, Dave Page, @fishing_with_norm, @chantalparent_, @loganwilfish, Colin Carr, The Lashinski Family, the @blackkoles team, and Yvon Chuinard for supporting this film. And especially @bloodknots for always being such a solid collaborator and creative inspiration in helping create this film with a call to action for everyone to get involved.

If you would like to support Tom, his work and his team, please consider making a donation to @nativefishsociety, where all donations go towards the support of wild, native fish, and free-flowing rivers: https://nativefishsociety.org/

#TomFilm #WildFishActivism #Steelhead #ItsAllHomeWater #Legenderry

Ford + Wyoming Tourism Present: Wildly Wyoming

Alright y’all, let’s get Western. It brings me great pleasure to finally announce that Wildly Wyoming is now LIVE for your viewing pleasure.

This past June, myself and 50ish of my friends ventured to Wyoming to make a special production about some incredible people and important causes. The entire goal is to benefit the state of Wyoming, while promoting access, preservation and stewardship of the land. This all boils down to a spirited competition where six incredible humans journey across Wyoming, competing to earn the right to donate a fat chunk of cash to the outdoor non-profit of their choosing.

Watch the series trailer here:

If this sounds like your cup of tea, the first episode is now live and free to watch on-demand with the @outsidewatch app on your mobile device, TV, or online at outsideonline.com, with new episodes dropping every Thursday at 6pm ET (again, all free to watch).

Have a look, let me know what you think, and of course — yeehaw.

WATCH THE 5-PART SERIES ONLINE HERE: https://watch.outsideonline.com/series/wildly-wyoming/uTS1Rf1p-bHEDpgPM

• CLIENTS: @visitwyoming, @ford, @fordbronco, @outsidemagazine

• + EXEC PRODUCER: @outsidemagazine

• + DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: CHASE WHITE @anadromous

• + PRODUCER: MARILOU FAUTEUX @marilou.fauteux

• + PROD. MANAGER: MADISON WALLINGER @madisonewall

• + PRODUCTION COORD: KATHERINE BOIVIN @katherineboivin

• + LEAD DP: JORDIE LEPAGE @jordielepage

• + AD: PATRICK HENRY @patrickmhenry

• + DP + CAM OP: JUSTIN LOISELLE @justin.loiselle

• + CAM OP: TOM DAY @tommday

• + BLACK ARM: BRYCE HARPER-SMITH @harkanstudios

• + BLACK ARM + AC1: MAXIME MESSIER @mmxmessier

• + BLACK ARM/AC1/POV: JP MONTOULIEU @jpmontoulieu

• + DRONE + CAM OP: CAMERON HOTCHKISS @camhootch

• + DRONE + CAM OP: COLIN WITHERILL @colindw

• + PHOTOGRAPHER: KAYLOR DASTRUP @kaylordastrup

• + PHOTOGRAPHER/CAM OP: SIMON DUBÉ @simmdub

• + PHOTOGRAPHER: RYAN ROBBINS @robbinstudio

• + AUDIO 1: CLAUDINE PELLERIN @claudinepellerin

• + AUDIO 2: SAMUEL BEAULIEU @_sambeaulieu

• + AUDIO 3: TED THACKER

• + DIT / MEDIA MANAGER: CHRISTOPHER SOUCY

• + PA: EMILY LAPOINTE

• + PA: MEGHAN MIRANDA @megmovesmountains

• + PA: RACHEL LAUX @rrlauxx

• + OUTSIDE SUCCESS MGR: LESLIE BARRETT @ridiculeslie

• + AMBASSADOR: LAEL JOHNSON @laelpauljohnson

• + AMBASSADOR: ANDREW MUSE @andrew__muse

• + AMBASSADOR: TYRHEE MOORE @tyrhee.moore

• + AMBASSADOR: MICAYLA GATTO @micaylagatto

• + AMBASSADOR: KAYLA LOCKHART @kayla__lockhart

• + AMBASSADOR: AARON MULKEY @coldfear

• + AGENCY: @bvkhq

• + AGENCY: @mindshare

• + VEHICLE HANDLER 1: BRANDON HERMON

• + VEHICLE HANDLER 2: SHERRY KOLLIEN

• + VEHICLE HANDLER 3: ROBBIE FAIN

• + TOPO FILMS: @topofilms

• + BOOMBOX GROUP: @boomboxgroup

#WildlyWyoming #ThatsWY #BroncoWildFund

Chevrolet Presents: Part 2, Austin Campbell

Fishing didn’t necessarily change Austin Campbell’s life so much as it has defined it, at least since he got his driver’s license when he was a teenager living in Denver. “When I got a car in high school, it changed the game for me,” Campbell says. “I just started fishing too much.” Now, Campbell is a full-time guide and advocate for getting youth outdoors, continuing his relationship with Lincoln Hills Cares and establishing his own free clinics that introduce fly fishing to residents of Denver neighborhoods that would otherwise have no contact with the sport.

This short is part of a four-part series shot with Outside + Chevrolet for the release of the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayk_U3wSPEo

WATCH THE FULL EDIT HERE: https://www.outsideonline.com/video/casting-a-wider-net/

The Latest in Stills: MEC 2023 Rainwear

Here in British Columbia, there’s no greater friend than a trusty rain jacket. And it’s always a pleasure working with the MEC team on such a trusted campaign. Have a look at some assets below, and see more from the shoot here.

Pinkbike Academy Season 3 is Here!

This summer I had the honor and pleasure of directing and producing Season 3 of the now-infamous Pinkbike Academy. We had a blast making it and I really hope everyone enjoys it. All thanks goes to these amazing athletes and the incredible crew we had for the season -- endless thanks to each of you for the incredible work put in to making this a reality.

Now let's hit the couch and binge watch 10 of the world's best amateur mountain bike riders compete for a pro contract from Orbea Bikes and a $30,000 prize purse. Episodes 1, 2 and 3 drop this Tuesday, November 1st on Outside Watch and Pinkbike YouTube.

TRAILER HERE: https://content.jwplatform.com/previews/sGCASHiN

Chevrolet Presents: The New Spirit of Fly Fishing

Three anglers from different walks of life come together in one of the country's most storied fisheries

Fly fishing is experiencing a renaissance. A new generation of anglers is helping to recast the pastime as the accessible, life-changing sport it has always been. To learn more about how fly fishing is evolving, we brought together three anglers who are driving that change for a trip along Idaho's storied Trout Highway. These are their stories.

Working with Outside and friends at TOPO Films, this was a wonderful opportunity to bring together a diverse group of inclusive individuals to celebrate one of the most storied fisheries in the world, highlighting the capabilities of the 2022 Chevrolet SIlverado ZR2. Have a watch of all four episodes on the Outside microsite here, along with Outside TV.

BTS Below!

Common Ground: Presented by Sage & Simms

Family has always been an important part of the steelheader’s journey. From all walks of life, no angler is entirely self-taught. Whether from your life partner, your parents, your friends, your guides, your guests, or even your community, it takes a family to make an angler.

Missy MacDonald is no exception. As the owner and operator of The Steelhead House, an intimate steelhead lodge nestled on the shores of the mighty Skeena river, Missy and her partner Darren have been cultivating their steelhead family for many years. You may not be connected through blood, but if you’re in pursuit of wild fish with a fly rod, you’re family to them. And this family isn’t gonna stop growing anytime soon.

Both Missy and Darren are accomplished anglers and stewards of both the resource and the culture. To them, it’s one big family. And in this family, everyone is brought together by common ground.

The film is currently on tour with the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T). More info and the trailer below. Enjoy!

Sage Fly Fishing: One & Done

Over the past year, I penned a piece for Sage Fly Fishing about the "One & Done" approach to steelhead angling. On the surface, it seems like a straightforward proposition (catch a fish, put your rod down for the day). But the truth is, it's much more complex than this.

Head on over to the Sage blog to read the story in full (link will be in my bio for a bit). It's a manifesto of sorts, and it allowed me to say what a lot of people are thinking. Many of these people have made me the outdoorsman (and person) that I am today. The bottom line is this: Beyond limiting your impact, being an angler today means that you must also act as an advocate, a conservationist, and a steward of the river. If you fish, it is your responsibility to do what you personally can to promote public investment in watershed and population restoration.

So for you personally, what does this stewardship look like?

Deepest gratitude to Sage for being willing to stand up and use its voice to advocate for the proliferation of wild fish in what can often be a polarizing arena.

On a more personal level, I also want to thank a few people like Yos Gladstone for the advice on fishing and fatherhood, some of which was directly contributed to this piece. People like him, Clint Goyette, Tom Derry from Native Fish Society and the teams at Frontier Steelhead and Epic Waters – who one might otherwise dismiss as biased industry folk – are actually the ones doing the hard work of fighting for these fish that we all need, while educating people every day on their importance in connecting with them.

Last but not least, thanks to my compadre Asher Koles for joining me on a magical day last year, where he masterfully captured an impactful moment and graciously provided the images for use here, which truly means the world to me. There's really no one else in the world I would rather have an otherworldly encounter with.

Thanks for all of the support, gang. I appreciate you all.

You can read the piece in full here on the Sage blog:

Leap Year Film - Available for Public Viewing

At long last, it brings me great pleasure to announce that Leap Year is now available to watch for free on the Orvis YouTube channel. I’ve truly appreaciated hearing the feedback from people around the world about the importance of these fish, how they’re enjoyed, how they change people’s lives, and how they need to be protected.

Here are a few favorite quotes from viewers so far:

“I appreciate how they hit on the importance we anglers have to not only enjoy the resources, but to fight for them as well. These fish and these places are irreplaceable, and it falls on us anglers to stand up for them and share their value with others. ”

— Nick H.

“Truly enjoyed watching this video. The cinema photography so captured the beauty of this sport.”

— Eric E.

“Ah yes, fly fishing for steelhead on the Morice. A beautiful river with beautiful fish. There you are, standing up to your thighs in cold, clear, running water. The first cigar of the day has left you with a nice nicotine buzz. The first beer of the day is fizzing away nicely in your stomach. It’s time for the second cigar of your day. As you light up, you glance at your watch. It’s seven o’clock in the morning.”

— Stephen L.

“Wonderfully shot film. Thank you for sharing it with us.”

— Alex M.

Have a watch for yourself, and please let us know what you think in the comments. Enjoy!

Chase on the Backcountry Marketing Podcast: Contract Creatives in 2021

Let's face it, as a client you have a lot of options. When it comes to achieving creative work you can choose from an ever-growing list of partners to work with: Agencies, hybrid agencies, studios, producers, contractors, and even your nephew all claim to offer you similar services. But how do you decide who to work with for what project?

I recently was invited by The Backcountry Marketing podcast to chat through some best practices when considering working with a contract creative.

We cover things like:

1. How marketing managers can engage with contract creatives more effectively.

2. How contract creatives should rethink how they can best support brands.

3. How marketing managers can shake up their own brand’s storytelling.

The truth is, navigating how to work with a contractor can be a challenge, and in this episode, I share some thoughts on how clients and contractors can work best together to produce meaningful work.

Have a listen on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chase-white-contract-creatives-in-2021-chase-white/id1498854057?i=1000523942049

Or on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CvjWs1F1fLZMVEBUChbUd?si=906a229650164ca3

Tofino in Black & White