Kings of Vegas

Las Vegas—the city of we can’t quite remember all the details—ushered in the 8th Annual Drake Video Awards last week with an emceeing Elvis, a showgirl named Andrea, and the best flyfishing films of all time at its namesake hotel, the LVH.

Leading the Best New Film charge was South African filmmaker Jako Lucas’ The Aqua Hulk, where Seychelles-bound anglers go “bumpy” crazy for flats crashing bump head parrotfish. Movie of the Year went to Kokkaffe Media for Only the River Knows, detailing the trials of iconic angler Lars Lenth, who spends three months battling Lethe River trout in old school gym trunks.

Additional evening highlights included Best Pioneer for the classic saltwater piece Tarpon; Best Meltdown (and creative f-bomb use) for World Angling’s Connected; and Best Conservation for Felt Soul Media’s standout anti-mine edit, Red Gold.

You—the people—on the other hand, also had sway, with more than 6,000 online votes tallied for this year’s People’s Choice nominees. In a massive eleventh-hour push, Geofish—by Chris Owens, Brian Jill, Thad Robison, and Jay Johnson of Motiv Films—edged out Gin-Clear Media’s Predator for top spot.

Vegas saw considerable changes in format for 2013, including seven new award categories added and no time limits on entries. The five-minute film contest is no more, making way for a true awards show with a dozen categories and 3-4 nominees per grouping.

Special thanks to Simms, Hatch, Smith Optics, Buff, RIO, Scott Fly Rods, Yellow Dog, Outcast, and AFFTA.

2013 Results—

Best New Film: The Aqua Hulk, Jako Lucas/Flycastaway/ Capt. Jack Films

Best Freshwater: Sipping Dry, Simon Perkins/Sharp Tail Media

Best Conservation: Red Gold, Ben Knight and Travis Rummel/ Felt Soul

Best Story: Only the River Knows, Peter Christensen, Rolf Nylinder/Kokkaffe Media

Best Humor: The Reel Adventures of Hank Patterson, Travis Swartz , Reese Ferguison/Trout Jousters

Best Cinematography: Connect, Chris Patterson, Jim Klug/Confluence Films

Best Personality: Xenie, Low & Clear, Kahlil Hudson, Tyler Hughen/Finback Films

Best Adventure: Geofish, Chris Owens, Brian Jill, Thad Robison, Jay Johnson/ Motiv Fishing

Best of the Web: Bulls on Top, David Mangum/Shallow Water Expeditions

Best Meltdown: Connected, Dave Teper, Will Benson/World Angling

Best Pioneer: Tarpon, Guy de la Valdene, Christian Odasso/UYA Films

Best Saltwater: Riding High, Graham Morton/Waterline Media

People’s Choice: Geofish—Chris Owens, Brian Jill, Thad Robison, Jay Johnson/ Motiv Films

Movie of the Year: Only the River Knows, Peter Christensen, Rolf Nylinder/Kokkaffe Media