The International Fly Fishing Film Festival is coming to Antigonish on April 17, 2026, offering residents a chance to celebrate the sport and support local river conservation efforts. The event, held at St. Francis Xavier University at 7:00 p.m., is being brought to the community by the Antigonish Rivers Association and hosted by River’s Edge Fly Fishing.
The film festival features a variety of short and feature-length movies from global filmmakers that highlight the culture and lifestyle of fly fishing. Beyond the films, the event serves as a platform to raise awareness for the protection of local waterways, including the West River Antigonish, which is internationally recognized for its fall Atlantic salmon fishing. The South River is also a popular local destination for those fishing for Brook and Brown Trout.
The Antigonish Rivers Association is currently recruiting volunteers to help organize the screening. The group is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, having been founded in 2007 as the Antigonish Town and County Anglers Association before changing its name in 2010. Since 2013, the association has worked to restore local watersheds by addressing issues like bank erosion and loss of biodiversity, often with technical support from the Nova Scotia Salmon Association.
This event comes on the heels of a significant federal announcement for salmon conservation. On March 31, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced $81.7 million in funding over five years as part of a national strategy to rebuild Atlantic salmon habitats.
