Early alarms, miles of river, and the small flash of white that makes the search worth it. Behind the scenes of Where the Bulls Still Swim.
The alarm went off somewhere between 4 and 5 a.m. Outside the sleeping bag, the Idaho morning was cold enough to make getting dressed a small negotiation. Pants, a hoodie, another layer. By sunrise, the crew had lines in the water.
That became the rhythm of the Idaho fishing portion of Where the Bulls Still Swim: cold starts, long searches, and big streamers in pursuit of native bull trout. Alongside angler and glass artist Martin Gerdin and filmmakers Eric and Andrew Braker, we spent our mornings learning what it takes to find these fish and knowing when to leave them alone.
A Tic-Tac in 20 Miles of River
“You're like looking for a tic-tac in 20 miles of river.”
That's how Martin describes searching for bull trout. The fish are so well camouflaged that the white on a fin can be the only thing that gives them away.
Finding that small detail takes time. Martin's search carries him through ravines, up and down valleys, and from pool to pool. Some years, the fish turn up where he found them before. Other years, it takes days.
The river keeps changing. Logs shift, rocks move, and landslides reshape familiar stretches. Returning to the same system means learning it again. Last year's holding water offers a place to start, but no promise of a fish.
For Martin, that uncertainty is part of what keeps him coming back. There is no guarantee of finding a bull trout, and even spotting one doesn't mean it will eat. Every encounter feels earned.
Big Streamers. Early Starts.
Our dawn patrol started with big streamers in the cool morning hours. Bull trout are predatory char, and the crew's approach reflected that appetite.
As the morning progressed, we changed presentations. Nymph rigs with stonefly patterns and worms, along with small dead-drifted streamers, gave us another way to work the water. Between bull trout encounters, westslope cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish kept things interesting.
The practical lessons from the trip were simple: put in the time to locate fish, look carefully for subtle signs of their presence, and be willing to change the presentation. A fish you can see is still a fish you have to convince.
Just as important was knowing when to stop. The crew wrapped up targeting bulls by noon or earlier as the water warmed. Barbless hooks, careful handling, and short fishing windows were part of the approach from the start.
Cold Starts. Sunny Finishes.
The same day could call for several layers at sunrise and a sun hoodie by afternoon. We packed accordingly.
The Airweight Hoody stayed in the rotation all day, serving as a base layer in the morning and a single layer once the sun warmed things up. The Icon Pro Performance Pant became a go-to for its stretch, quick drying, and pockets for the essentials. For chilly starts, the Leeward Lightweight Fleece Hoody added a breathable layer.
Back at camp, the change was welcome. After wet wading, a fresh tee and Rogue Island Performance Flip Flops felt especially good. Martin and Zac wore their Barb U Cotton Fleece Hoodies every day.
These were the pieces we reached for through the ordinary parts of the trip: climbing out of a sleeping bag, getting to the river, and settling back into camp.
More Than a Fish to Find
Martin's connection to bull trout reaches well beyond the fishing. Each summer, he shuts down his glass furnace, packs the truck, and heads out with his dog, Lasso. The trips give him space to reset, and the native fish in these wild places have become a constant in his life.
The film follows another kind of commitment in Washington, where professional biologists work to help bull trout populations recover. With U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Mid-Columbia Fisheries, the crew documented efforts to reconnect fish with spawning habitat and rescue juveniles from pools losing their water.
That work adds perspective to every encounter on the river. Behind a fish is a watershed, and behind its future are people working to keep that watershed connected and healthy.
Martin describes the reward as cresting a ridge and finally seeing fish after days of searching. The film asks us to care about everything that makes that moment possible.
Respect the Fish. Know the Water.
Bull trout are federally listed as threatened. The recreational fishing scenes in this film were shot in Idaho waters where catch-and-release fishing was permitted, subject to specific regulations. Fish handled in the Washington conservation scenes were part of authorized USFWS research conducted by professional biologists under recovery permits, at a location where recreational targeting is prohibited.
Never assume fishing for bull trout is legal based on what you see in the film. Check current state wildlife agency regulations for the specific waterway before fishing. Where targeting is permitted, prioritize careful handling, cool-water conditions, and the welfare of the fish.
