• Check out http://www.maineflyfish.com, it has a all new look #

• http://www.maineflyfish.com has a great new look and is changing every day,come check it out #

7th Annual Freeze Up 2010

2010 started out to be a great one, Maine Fly Fish with Eldredge Bros Fly Shop, hosting the 7th Annual Freeze Up. Even a two day storm didn’t keep 29 people from showing up at the Mousam River in Kennebeunk, Maine!  

In 2003 five guys got together to start the year off fishing, hanging out and eating. Last year it grew to just shy of 40 people and this year would have been the biggest turn out, but Maine was hit with a two day storm dumping almost two feet of snow in some areas.

This year 56 rainbow trout were stocked a week a head of time. All funds came from members of Maine Fly Fish forum. On top of many rainbows, a few brook trout and browns were also landed. The orange egg fly was the fly of choice.

All members brought some type of food to share. Jim and myself cooked breakfast sandwiches at sun up and some others brought venison, stew, salmon dip, and cheesecake, to mention a few.

There was also a fly casting contest. Participants had to cast a yarn fly into hoola hoops and they received points for each time the fly went into the hoop, then the top three had a cast off. They were casting a Scott A3, 8.5 foot,  5 weight rod, which was the grand prize, donated by Scott Fly Rod. Also, second and third place received a Hatch bottle opener. The grand prize winner was Alan.

This was a great way to kick off the year with fishing, food and friends.

Kevin McKay

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Mike Mayo

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Kevin McKay

photo by Mike Mayo

photo by Mike Mayo

Rapala Tournament

I recently was given two new books, The Alaska Chronicles by Miles Nolte and North of Easie by Bob Romano, two great books but totally different books. Even though they were different, I really had a hard time putting them down and looked forward to picking them up, daily.

North of Easie is a novel that is set in western Maine in a small town called Easie. Bob shows, you really never know who your neighbor is and that fishing and the simple life can heal all of your past baggage. The guide, Christine, and an old friend from the mob, ties the story together to make you turn page after page looking for the answers.

To buy

The Alaska Chronicles is a daily journal of a guide’s season in Alaska. Miles takes you through his day to day chores from cleaning out the outhouse to clients that he loves and hates. Miles takes away all the glamour people believe comes with guiding and really shows you the way it is.

To buy

Both books are an easy read and will keep you entertained on these cold winter days or around the campfire while you are creating your own adventures.

Kevin McKay

buy it here

I recently received this new book by Reed F. Cury. It is called The New Scientific Angling, trout and ultraviolet vision. I can’t wait to dive into this book.

From his site Over My Waders:
“In The New Scientific Angling we learn that trout see in the near ultraviolet range, as well as our visible spectrum, and what that means to the fly fisherman. Using UVA Reflection photography, the author offers views of a trout’s world otherwise completely invisible to us.
Examining baitfish, natural flies, artificial flies, and tying materials as a trout sees them in the Ultraviolet, this original research answers longstanding questions about flies, fishing, and the ways of trout.”

• here is the progress of our new site:
  http://www.maineflyfish.com/mffnew/index.htm #

Fish Out of Water film

More than 600,000 U.S. soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from traumatic brain injuries, including psychological ailments such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression. Sun Valley Adaptive Sports helps these “Wounded Warriors” recover by hosting nature trips to beautiful Idaho, where veterans learn the competitive yet meditative sport of fly fishing and find camaraderie and understanding from fellow soldiers. See the powerful impact the trip has on six veterans in this emotional film about change, rehabilitation, and the struggle to feel “normal” again.