Bozeman, Montana – Simms Fishing Products, preeminent manufacturer of waders, outerwear, footwear, and technical apparel in fishing, is pleased to announce the official release of Beyond the Horizon. The award winning film by Cold Collaborative is set off the coast of Honduras and tells the story of Rankin Jackson and his struggle to provide for his family while trying to survive the push of drug running, and, ultimately, how fly fishing revealed a road to redemption.
Though many species of fish around Honduras have been decimated from over fishing, the permit has thrived against all odds. Previously a source of food, a catch-and-release ethic has taken hold in part due to the efforts of a small fly fishing lodge: Fly Fish Gaunaja. Ten years ago, Fly Fish Guanaja owner, Steve Brown presented Rankin with an opportunity to work for him as a guard. Soon after, an interest in fly fishing began to grow and rapidly transformed into not only a passionate obsession, but also a positive path out of the dangerous drug trade he was involved in.
During his time working in the drug trade, Rankin became familiar with a spit of sand known as Cayes Cajones which Rankin refers to as “the keys to the east.” Because this area doesn’t even show up on a map, it has historically been a haven for drug runners, pirates and other illicit activities. It also just so happens to be home to one of the most untouched and unfished bonefish and permit habitats in the entire Caribbean. Until now, a journey has been too treacherous. In 2017, the plans were struck and the mission to venture Beyond the Horizon commenced.
Check Out the Award Winning film, Beyond the Horizon from Cold Collaborative "I have been so positively impacted by Rankin and Steve's story. When I first met Rankin over 6 years ago, I was immediately captivated by his enthusiasm for life. As I learned more about his story I quickly realized that deep down, Rankin's motives were altruistic,” says Cold Collaborative Producer/Director of Photography, Shannon Vandivier. “Drugs destroy lives, but the people involved in the drug trade cannot always be defined in a black and white manner. For Rankin, he was doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. My goal in helping to tell his story is to highlight the beauty of redemption.”
Beyond the Horizon was featured in the world-wide distribution of the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), won the 'Creative Excellence' award as an official selection in the 5points Film Festival in Carbondale, CO, and finally finished up its festival circuit as an official selection in the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival.
Simms Fishing Products: Established in 1980, Simms is the preeminent manufacturer of waders, outerwear and technical fishing apparel and accessories. Simms’ 80,000 square foot facility in Bozeman is the country’s only manufacturing facility for fishing waders.