Above is the Hurricane River Restoration Project in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Department.

MARQUETTE — The Fred Waara Chapter of Trout Unlimited presents the Upper Peninsula Fly Fishing Film Festival (UP4F) from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern time Saturday at the Northern Center on Northern Michigan University’s campus.

This is the first-ever chapter-created event showcasing the best independent, local fly fishing films from the upper-Midwest region.

“Last year’s film festival featured national fishing films, but we heard from our attendees that they would like a more regional focus,” said Jim Jenkin, FWTU Chapter president. “We see a great opportunity to create this Marquette-based event, build community outreach and awareness, showcase local filmmaker talent, and fundraise to continue and expand their all-volunteer education and conservation work.”

The UP4F will be fun for everyone — fishermen, families, nature lovers, conservation supporters, raffle junkies, and more. The event starts with the “Cabin Fever Happy Hour” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. featuring local conservation groups, fishing guides/shop owners, demonstrations, a fly-casting contest with prizes, pizza, and a cash bar.

Then, from 6 to 9 p.m., Adam Carpenter from “The Outdoor Show,” will emcee the main event with 12 captivating short films shown in two parts.

An intermission will provide an opportunity to grab pizza, hit up the cash bar, or grab tickets to one of the many chances to win prizes in both 50/50 and bucket raffles thanks to many community sponsors.

Following the last raffle draws, there will be an after party at Blackrocks Brewery, which is contributing a portion of its Mykiss sales on Saturday to the chapter.

This is the Fred Waara Chapter’s single largest annual outreach and fundraising event. It is replacing the Fred Waara Trout Unlimited annual banquet which was held for years but ran out of steam after three years of successive cancellations due to COVID-19.

All proceeds from the UP4F go to support education programs like Salmon in the Classroom and local conservation projects.

Fred Waara TU is in its 40th year of conserving, protecting and restoring coldwater fisheries and their watersheds throughout much of the Upper Peninsula covering 17,000 square miles of coldwater streams, not including the Keweenaw area. The chapter has more than 350 members that pursue their mission through advocacy, education, and volunteer projects, while engaging youth in conservation efforts.

Tickets are available at NMU Ticket and at the door. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students (16-18 and college), and free for children up to age 16.

Reserved tables are also available for $300 which includes seating for six people along with a good start on raffle tickets. More information about UP4F and Fred Waara TU can be found at www.fredwaaratu.org.