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Locals bringing fly-fishing leaders to famed Utah resort
Headwaters Summit highlights the growing influence of a Cranbrook-based media company in North America’s fly-fishing industry.
Some of the most influential figures in fly fishing are heading to Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, the mountain retreat founded by Robert Redford, for a gathering organized by Cranbrook-based Fly Fusion.
The inaugural Headwaters Summit, Nov. 13-14, will bring together leading fly-fishing media, filmmakers, industry executives and conservation leaders to examine the future of fly-fishing culture. The gathering draws inspiration from the culture of independent storytelling Redford established at Sundance.
From its headquarters in Cranbrook, the Bird family has built one of North America’s most established fly-fishing media and events businesses, spanning print, digital publishing, streaming, television and live events, including Fly Fusion magazine and the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4). With Headwaters, the organization is bringing together the people who influence the sport’s media, storytelling, conservation and commercial direction.
Headwaters co-founder Chris Bird is one of four founding cultural stewards guiding the summit, alongside Ross Purnell, editor and publisher of Fly Fisherman; Kirk Deeter, editor-in-chief of TROUT; and Brian Wimmer, Headwaters co-founder, actor and filmmaker.
“Healthy culture is oxygen to healthy trade,” said Bird. “The stories we tell, the relationships we build and the trust we establish shape fly-fishing culture. Headwaters is about bringing those people together and asking what we can accomplish collectively.”
Presented by Sundance Mountain Resort, the summit includes the Headwaters Institute and two evenings of film screenings and special guest appearances in Robert Redford’s Screening Room. Seven fly-fishing brands are supporting the inaugural gathering: Mayfly Outdoors (Ross Reels, Airflo, etc.), NRS, onWater, Orvis, Patagonia, R.L. Winston and Scientific Anglers.
The summit’s Legacy Awards, recognizing individuals whose contributions have shaped fly-fishing culture, were designed and handcrafted by local artist Paul Reimer.
The summit will also mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs Through It” with a special screening of Redford’s film adaptation. Maclean’s son, author John N. Maclean, will introduce the film and join renowned fly-fishing figures Gary Borger and Jack Dennis for a special conversation following the screening.
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