Didymo Dave’s crusade helped by film festival
Fly fishermen and women can look forward to the return of the internationally renowned RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival to
Taupo this month.
A trio of avid local fly fishermen is promoting the festival for the third time this year with proceeds going towards
the work of passionate conservationist Dave Cade, also known as ‘Didymo Dave’.
Bayleys Taupo auctioneer and local fly fisherman Grant Bayley has joined Taupo based lawyer Tom Mounsey and fly fishing
guide Steve Sprague in bringing the festival to Starlight Cinemas for one night only on Friday August 29.
The team has created a trust on Mr Cade’s behalf and earlier this month presented him with a cheque for $2094.
Mr Cade is contracted by the Department of Conservation to operate fish traps for survey purposes during the winter. In
his own time he traps rats, extracts exotic plants and educates anglers about the risk of Didymo to New Zealand
waterways. He is also involved in encouraging local school students to take an interest in protecting their environment.
“Didymo Dave is a hoot. He is a real character and 100 percent committed to the cause and his community. He is up the
rivers every day and does it all off his own cuff.
“Having clean waterways is imperative if we want to keep enjoying fly fishing and other activities in New Zealand and so
we are really glad to support Dave,” Mr Bayley says.
Headlining the festival this year is ‘Backcountry North Island’ - a film by Te Anau based Gin-Clear Media that follows
six fly fishermen, including festival promoter Mr Sprague, as they explore a treasured corner of the North Island in
pursuit of prized trout.
Taupo based adventure tourism business Chris Jolly Outdoors is on board as a sponsor of the evening and helicopter
charter business Helisika has donated a $1500 flight to be sold in a fundraising auction to be called by Mr Bayley in
between screenings.
“It is a great opportunity to bring people with similar interests together, celebrate the sport and see some really
impressive films all while supporting an important cause,” Mr Bayley says.
With Taupo recognised as the trout capital of New Zealand it seemed a “no-brainer” to bring the festival home, he says.
It is hoped the event will continue to be a recurring event on the Taupo calendar.
The RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival will take place on Friday August 29 from 8pm to 10pm at Starlight Cinemas in Taupo.
Tickets to the festival are $25 each.
Go to gin-clear.com/filmfest/nzschedule for more information or to purchase tickets.
VIDEO: Go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt-OBxjSxC8 to view the trailer for ‘Backcountry North Island’, the film headlining this year’s RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival.
ENDS