ORVIS PRESENTS: If I Tell Them

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Orvis is proud to present “If I Tell Them,” a powerful film featuring James Sampsel, a painter and fly-fishing guide, who bravely shares his past struggles and a bipolar diagnosis that hangs over his future-as a guide, a husband, and a father. As a partner and sponsor of the Outdoor Guide Association, we share its mission to promote community understanding and encourage treatment for anyone who wants it.
If you or someone you love would benefit from more information about mental illness and available treatment, visit the National Alliance of Mental Illness website at www.nami.org/
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[@brooksrogers1975]

I love who you are, too, James. Thanks so much for being my friend.

[@billcheney3487]

Wow. Courage abounds here. Bravo James and family and Orvis.

[@oakandoscar]

Wow. So much beauty here-the story, the courage, the videography, the paintings. Absolutely amazing and well done to everyone involved.

[@kenclifton7643]

I don’t think it’s possible to capture what it’s like….. any more than grabbing a shadow…. But this is an amazing, quiet, real, human snapshot of the fibers that are braided into our lives. Mad respect to this man and his incredible family… and to this company for shining a light here. I had no idea the ripples would run this far in my heart. Thanks to all involved

[@rybalkaudalas]

Very beautiful video. Thank you!

[@thefourherringtons]

Thank you, Orvis. Thank you, James. I’ve been feeling this way for some time but didn’t have the words to explain how I feel. I just found them. Peace and Love.

[@paulkruse9004]

Brother, I will fish with you any day!

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Thank you Paul!

[@markseligman1698]

Wow, thank you for this! My Dad suffered from this disorder, and it would have helped me a lot to see this video when I was young. This video will help a lot of people; people who will not meet you in the flesh but will benefit from your testimony here. I thank you for them.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

We have to talk the next time we fish together. Thank you for sharing Mark. I'll be seeing you soon!

[@jneff1009]

Life is so heavy in so many ways, and to let go of the past but carry with you forward yourself....it's a hard life, but also why we can experience such bliss. Or so I believe. Live now, can't go back. Love at ya brothers and sisters!

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Truth.

[@slyry4496]

Thank you for this beautiful message and moment in time. I connected with James on so many levels. In 12 minutes of vulnerability I have gained a new perspective. Thank you. Much love. More healing. Many blessings. Here. And. Now.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Im so happy that you where able to connect. Yes vulnerability and honesty are great ways to start the healing. I'm happy to help in anyway I can.

[@McGrambo2]

Super brave! Proud of your honesty and free spirit! Bless you and your family.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Thank you for your support!

[@mosaicinmotions]

'At some point you must be satisfied with where you're at'...to love one's self and life unconditionally, what an incredibly brave, beautiful EPIC story and film ~ top of the worlds award to James, his Family, Oliver and Orvis for offering us this touching precious gift.

[@randywhughey]

Beautiful film. It makes the world a better place.

[@willduckworth4789]

Thank you so much. My actions during mania has estranged me from my children and grand-children. It is great to know that I'm not the only one who has been through it. The super hero bit struck me so hard. I remember asking my psychiatrist if he thought that superman would take a pill to stop him being superman. I wish I had managed it before I was 60.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Will thank you for your openness here. Shit it's hard to break this connections. You know I understand what that feels like. I can't say that pain will ever go away. How we deal with it is a different story. A big key is to not dwell on the past and beat yourself up about it. The wish before 60 is understandable but you have now. Live it your best.

[@danielwoods6305]

This was absolutely beautiful and moving. Well done Orvis Co. thank you for sharing.

[@oscarbarreiro4266]

Great inspiration, in all senses. Besides being itself a piece of art inside another piece of art. Thanks for sharing it and all the best for you¡

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Thank you for your support Oscar!

[@MichaelVJJones]

GREAT Nature Connection Film 💚💙🎣

[@laurabrenes1263]

My brave, talented cousin! What a beautiful, inspiring piece! We love you ❤️

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Ah I love you too! Thank you for your support.

[@bookerdaniel2058]

So exciting to see this space to share angling and so much more- well done, Orvis.

[@benjaminfarr2307]

An intimate story, beautifully shot.

[@scetis]

So needed… thank you.

[@crowtrain6464]

Wow. So utterly beautiful. Thank you James, and Kait, and Juniper. Thank you Oliver. Thank you Orvis.

[@jamesreilly4504]

Bravo to the production team, Orvis and James. Kaitl and Juniper. In the 21st century we have to challenge each other and society to understand that mental health issues affect us all and together we can help loved ones and friends who deserve our help, compassion and support. You don’t know how compassionate and understanding people are if you don’t tell them.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

So very well said. Thank you you for your insight. So much truth.

[@michellabelle1725]

Wonderful in all aspects! Tanks to reveal and share your secrets James. And the way you have told it Oliver. Orvis, I encourage you to continue those fabulous initiatives

[@PedroHartmannVideo]

Beautiful film, congratulations to all involved.

[@rjasonw74]

I’d fish with this man anytime anywhere. What we could learn from him about fishing & life I’m sure could fill several books. Very well done.

[@TheFIREFLAME53]

Incredible film. Touches me deeply. Thank you!

[@charlieboutin3341]

Great video..great story! Glad you told us..Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👌✌️❤️

[@paulgorman2100]

Simply beautiful. Tears. Thanks.

[@johnhof223]

I felt this to my core. I share a similar weight. Tears in my eyes typing this because this puts my feelings into words

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Keep putting those words out there! That's the best way to deal with it. We are all much stronger than we think.

[@NickAndCaroline]

It’s nice to see the spotlight shift to outdoor enthusiasts in an individual light. We have to be reminded that everybody is an individual with individual focuses and triumphs.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Well said

[@elizabethriley8644]

Great film! I see so many people I love through this story. It's authentic, beautiful, honest, ... everything, BRAVO! Beautiful man, family, art, film!

[@clrobinson1776]

You are not alone.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

indeed.

[@theodorerzepski8491]

A brave man: talented artist, loving father/husband, accomplished fishing guide. Thanks

[@gregorymontalvo1390]

Great story. Well done Orvis and thanks for the inspiration James,

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

My pleasure Gregory. I'm just a dude doing what I can.

[@CN-re5ut]

A brave piece. ❤️

[@milanbogdanovic6120]

James, your courage and sincerity is immeasurable. I cried during this video several times empathizing with your struggles. As a man and a father of a magnificent daughter myself, I am proud of you! Your daughter and your wife are fortunate beyond words to have you. My best brother and I hope to see you and your family on future videos painting and fishing together. Ps: my father was a world renowned artist. Keep painting bro!

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Your words here made me tear up. I can't thank you enough for sharing with me. I'm doing the best I can each day. Even if all that I have is 10% on a day, I'm all 100 of the 10. My best to your family as well. May I ask who your father was? I'd love to view his work. Thanks again.

[@kathyperales3570]

Beautiful video, touching story, I'm proud of you James. I've painted with you and need to fish with you. Come back to Texas!

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Kathy thank you for your support! I so loved painting with you all. Thank you for taking the time to reach out here.

[@kurtis6939]

I checked out his website and it’s an amazing site. I looked at all of his pieces of art and was absolutely stunned by their beauty. I wish I could afford one of them for myself, I would for sure buy one.

[@southernhood5145]

great film. your story will help others and that's important

[@BlueLinerMedia]

That was seriously so unique but such an amazing video. I love the work in many aspects! Great job!!!

[@johnhof223]

This hits my heart hard. I fight the same fight and just hearing this helps me feel less alone. The beauty of nature and the enjoyment of fishing too. Thank you to all involved. ❤

[@sarasnee7]

Juniper has a fantastic Daddy. Thank you for sharing your story and your fight. A+ per usual from Orvis this mental health awareness month.

[@tomjackson5207]

I was crying off and on all day today over fears for my teenage son and my depression and hopelessness. I felt the comforting warmth of hope as I watched and listened to James and his wife and the shared words of their little girl. This is a powerful expression and the film maker did a beautiful work here in sharing Jame's life. When we struggle with something that others don't know much about or understand, the result can be short-lived relationships as people find us challenging to be around (and yes, you know I am sugar coating this). James says he stops dwelling on his past because his "right now" is amazing and that dovetails so perfectly with what fly fishing can give us - a moment of consciousness perfection. I recently read that the present moment has no choice but to continually re-create itself. So let's live there. On a trout stream. And allow ourselves and our world to be perfect in that moment. I believe that to be eternal. Thank you to all involved in bringing us this uplifting film!

[@JD2CYLINDERNUT]

I’ve never met you James but I consider you a friend. You’ve made me a better person from understanding your journey and that in itself fuels my friendship with you. God bless you.

[@STALVIET]

This is beautiful, thank you for this

[@mrtankless5231]

We look at people in different lights, but never really understood what powers that light. The power could be strong and infinite, or weak and fading. Everyone has that “ infinite light” inside them, it just takes some longer to shine . Whatever is keeping you down, held back, a brick wall , you will purged through and shine like a star , just believe. Thank you orvis and all for sharing

[@chrisflores9030]

As someone with severe OCD and recovering from panic disorder AND a new fly fisher! I found this video amazing and supremely motivating. I know I’ll have hard days on the water but there is nowhere else I would want to be.

[@jacklynhinojosa6284]

I have ocd too. The dark kind. I feel this the way he feels about his bipolar is how I feel about my ocd. If people new of my of my dark obsessive intrusive thoughts would they accept me or just judge. I’ve been judged my medical professionals and therapist some have some have not but it sucked either way.. so I try to keep it to myself

[@chrisflores9030]

@@jacklynhinojosa6284 i understand you 100%. i dotn have the quirky ocd that is used as a joke. it is a debilitating mental illness. have you tried NOCD app? its tele-therapy. it has saved my life

[@jacklynhinojosa6284]

@@chrisflores9030 you know what i did come across it maybe a month ago but I had to call my insurance to see if they will work with the app. I had was referred by this ocd drug trial I didn’t qualify for. How do you like the app? Can you give me some pros and cons ? I had tried trauma therapy this past year and it left me very uncomfortable reproaching therapy due to a negative experience. But maybe if there are some benefits to this app I’d be willing to try it out

[@chrisflores9030]

@@jacklynhinojosa6284 i like the app alot. of course recovery is what we do outside of sessions and the tools we practice when ocd is loud and painful. give them call and try it out.

[@noblestsavage1742]

Wonderful! I feel you bud! We all have our things; I’m a recovered alcy and I’m autistic. Fly fishing and making music are what keep me well.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Yeah keep that creativity flowing! Thank you for sharing.

[@pibroch2160]

I’d fish with James any day. My wife is bipolar. Hasn’t always been easy, but she can be her absolute self with me. She certainly puts up with my shenanigans! Thank you for such a beautiful film.

[@naomicotler]

I think I’ve watched this 20 times already 🙄. Yeah… the first 3 times I cried the whole way thru. Everything makes sense to me now. I’ve shared this with some of the people I’ve hurt too. Because it’s such an accurate and vivid explanation of what BPD is like. We can make the most beautiful art, and have the most beautiful lives , and it can all seem so perfect on the outside…but not on the inside. I’m eternally grateful for this film. Much respect. You are not alone.

[@verthib]

This touched me more than I can express. I do wish he eluded to what he did to help manage his BPD.

[@EirikArnesen]

What an - in every way - absolutely pearl of an movie. Thank you for sharing this.

[@ehmehhuh]

I don't know who makes your movies... but give them a raise. Bangers, all 'em.

[@Portugal.TheMan]

What an incredibly powerful piece.

[@MrFunkyko]

Great film. Really appreciate the vulnerability to make this video. Keep rockin James

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Thank you my friend!

[@billalexander3173]

I'm a recent adventurer into the world of fly fishing, and have been watching lots of "How to" KZbins, hoping to learn something to improve my skills. By a country mile, this is the best fishing video I've ever watched, and there wasn't much fly fishing in it either. What a tender, beautifully filmed insight into someone who immediately touches your heart. Well done Orvis, and thank you, James. I really learned a lot - about life, not fishing.

[@timthompsondp]

Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevenwaller]

James, so proud of you for sharing your story! You are an amazing person and I’m really happy to call you my friend! See you in November! Your friend, Steve

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Im so looking forward to seeing you in November steve! Thank you and I love you.

[@larrycolagiovanni7651]

Great video Orvis. Inspiring.

[@jfwatson8892]

Powerful, wonderful story, beautifully presented! All the best to you James, Kait, and Juniper.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Thank you so very much.

[@AltHigh1990]

He has a beautiful story and its telling is very special. Thank you for this.

[@debpaskall]

Wow, truly inspiring and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheHillcityhobo]

Thank you for sharing this story with us.

[@ultimattwhat]

Honest, and well done ; bravo.

[@jeffreed9]

Stay strong brother.

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

one day at a time. Thank you for your support.

[@rjacques73]

Congratulations to Orvis and all involved in this. Well done

[@JamieoftheNorth]

Great film. I would love to be this guy's friend.

[@1joeyonly]

Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing: and Life

[@timmanion2197]

To see and hear the deeper story of two fine human beings - oops: three, of course - working to find a path together on tough odds, for the sake of love…. Well, in these dark and selfish days of so many knowing their “rights,” and so few remembering their chosen obligations to one another: it’s simply an honor. May you NEVER lose heart, even when it’s hard to find. (As for the technicals and backing from Orvis - where, it seems, somebody actually knows what’s truly valuable - I second all the kudos here.)

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Tim I'm humbled. Thank you for your support.

[@timmanion2197]

@@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887 You bet. Best to you and yours, brother.

[@mikewyd53]

Thank you for this.

[@joshcc1974]

Awesome. The fly fishing community is such an accepting good group.

[@michellabelle1725]

Wonderful in all aspects Tanks to reveal and share your secrets James. And the way you have told it Oliver. Orvis, I encourage you to continue those fabulous initiatives

[@Jcvfunerals365]

Incredible inspirational human you are James. Your artwork is gorgeous

[@jfhendextra2493]

Can't thank you enough (James & Orvis)together

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Thank YOU!

[@UsernameQXZ]

An incredible story!

[@dsimmon20]

Thank you for that video. One of the better things I have ever watched.

[@ericami5642]

Wow bud brought a f***ing tear to my eyes. Like watching a documentary about myself.i spent five years of my life behind bars and another 20 being a drunk dbag because i never wanted to admit i was the problem. I relate to what you say about holding on to your demons and mistakes from the past. I try to remind myself although the person i was is someone i never wish to be again but im also grateful for him because with out those mistakes n demons i wouldn't be half the man i am today. Im now almost half a decade sober and haven't been in trouble just as long and i owe a lot of that to fly fishing and even more to my wonderful understanding loving wife . Sorry for the rant that was some really touching stuff and its nice to know im not alone n neither are you. Tight line n happiness to u n your bud thanks for sharing

[@dancesontheceiling]

Thank you.

[@jayfalzarano8046]

You are brave for telling your story brother - praying for your daily battle…. Dr. Jay >

[@adventuretimefishinghunting]

That was an incredible story! Thank you for sharing that!

[@juliusmalmstrom7653]

Just amazing! ♥️

[@decoeric]

Beautiful film...

[@sebastianvido3594]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@pauldonnellan1876]

Loved it man 👍

[@criagfurness8305]

God Bless you James

[@mattbooth6711]

This is extremely well done. Should have more views.

[@jamisondaniels1931]

Very powerful. Thanks for sharing.

[@kylekulpak6808]

this is beautiful.

[@papichulo1843]

What a sweet video man

[@eigilprstholmsrensen1994]

Thanks 🙏

[@SuttonART]

Great video. I have a bi-polar1 misdiagnoses too

[@FlyFishDan]

Powerful and inspiring

[@jimholland1592]

Beautiful 👍

[@danielmclendon8346]

Dang Orvis. That’s some deep shit.

[@RobboJ30]

Fabulous artwork James! I’m always torn between interpreting the landscape and fishing- fishing tends to win! Lots of photos on my camera for inspiration. Jill R 🇬🇧

[@rowhope]

Trust yourself, James.

[@melvinsacromentoe]

Don’t know anything about This company but wow what a good video

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Orvis is a wonderful company. They are just very special people doing wonderful things for folks in many aspects. They also get people out fishing and hunting. I'm grateful for their support.

[@SuperLeechboy]

I want to come fish with you guys on the Rogue!

[@humbleheronflyfishingfinea6887]

Please do! Thanks.

[@carlosrollanusero5977]

Wonderful