A drift boat, about 15 feet long, is an intimate space.  

It’s a shared space that a local flyfishing nonprofit, Cast Hope, looks to create for youth and their mentors.  

“It creates space for healthy conversations, for connection,” said Ryan Johnston, the founder of Cast Hope and director of the organization’s Montana region.  

“That vulnerable space — that's the goal of Cast Hope,” he said.  

Fishing is just the catalyst for bonding, with the hope that it will turn into a lifelong shared hobby, he said.  

During its first season in the Flathead last year, Cast Hope hosted over 200 youth on 35 guided trips.  

Unlike the chaos of a large fishing event, each trip focuses on individual relationships: one kid, one mentor. They partner with local organizations, such as Boys and Girls Club, to serve those in need. 

Johnston recalls last year, a father coming up to him and saying, “My daughter and I haven’t had that much fun together in years.”  

With a mission to create a shared love of the outdoors, the organization also hosts field trips “Beyond Fishing,” including hiking and rafting trips.  

This season, the Flathead chapter will look to grow to serve about 250 kids across 45 trips.  

Avery Wittman, a local guide for Cast Hope, said it’s important to give kids access. 

“It’s not necessarily the hardest sport, but it’s sometimes hard to get access to do it,” the Helena native and Bigfork Anglers employee said.  

Wittman said that Cast Hope frequents Rogers Lake. Once there, action follows quickly.  

“It’s a great place to take beginners,” he said. “We get them in the boat, we get them casting. And right out of the gate, they’re gonna hook a fish.” 

Wittman said that for the older kids, it’s good for them to have a role model that demonstrates a potential future, in both passion and employment.  

“I love that we get to be in all the elements,” he said. “I love flyfishing, but I have more fun watching other people be successful at it. You never know if it’s going to be their best day of fishing ever, or if it’s just something they needed to do to get away, float the river, and be somebody’s friend for the day.”  

Cast Hope isn’t looking for any more guides at the moment, but it’s possible they could in future years. The first challenge will be finding ongoing financial support from the community to support their growth. The organization will need to offset the loss of an expiring three-year Murdock Trust grant, Johnston said.  

Potential donors can choose to support the organization across all six of its Pacific Northwest regions, or just in the Flathead.  

Another way to support the programs is through the International Fly Fishing Film Festival coming to Whitefish on Saturday, March 28.  

The best of flyfishing from across all corners of the globe will be on screen at Blackstar Brewpub at 6 p.m.  

The event is free for all to attend, with proceeds from a live auction and raffle going to Cast Hope.  

Whitefish’s is one of about 175 screenings scheduled across the world. To see a trailer of the film festival known as the "soul of fly fishing," visit  https://vimeo.com/1144590406?fl=pl&fe=sh 

To learn more about Cast Hope, see https://casthope.org/

    A flyer for the Whitefish screening of the International Fly Fishing Film Festival.