What do Maine’s freshly fallen snow, the Bethel Inn and an excellent band have to do with fly fishing? If you were at last night’s premier of East By North East  you would know.

We arrived in Bethel, Maine for the premier showing of this fly fishing video, around 3:00 pm on Saturday. My husband, Kevin McKay, sons Tait and Jax and myself, checked into our room at the Bethel Inn so the kids could get a quick swim in at the outdoor heated swimming pool. We then went for burgers, beer and a game of pool. As 7:00 pm approached, the boys got more excited about seeing the video, as did we! They knew they had a small part in it.

At 6:30 we headed over to the conference center as freshly fallen snow decorated the landscape and a beautiful winter bite nipped at the crisp air. Tait and Jax were patient as a nine and six year old, yet anxious as they watched people file into the conference center and mingle before the showing. Jax ran ahead of us so as to set his jacket in the front row. We briefly chatted with Carter Davidson, one of the brilliant producers, then went to grab a drink. During the half hour before the premier, you could sense the rising anticipation as the spectators were reconnecting with each other. In this off season of fishing (I use that term loosely!) the crowd was indeed keen. Meeting without fly rods in hand seemed somewhat abnormal though.

The McKays

Finally, the video East By North East begins. Many cheers from the audience speak to the comfortability among friends. The video immediately has us all wanting to jump through the screen to the abyss of fly fishing as it were. So much incredible footage of anglers at their best; fishing their favorite waters. There were highlights from out of state footage like British Virgin Isles and Canada, as well as on our state’s turf. Each locale offered its own unique features and personalities.

Executive producers Carter Davidson and Matt Stanton

Executive producers Carter Davidson and Matt Stanton, did an amazing job of bringing together features that appeal to fly fishing gurus alike. Fishing jokes, excellent narration, cool music, wonderful footage and all the sounds that accompany fishing expeditions, made this film compelling to watch. It truly felt like a winter getaway in the seventy minutes we were ensconced in it.

Towards the end of the video, Tait and Jax make their appearance from our stomping grounds in Winterport. This was incredibly exciting for two brothers who have been taught to eat, breathe and love fly fishing. While we as their parents have plenty of photos and video of them fishing, this was different. Watching as the boys saw themselves up on the screen was unforgettable. Carter did a great thing when he spent the day with my boys fishing last fall. They speak fondly of that day often and immediately recognized Carter yesterday from afar, even in his winter attire. Giving these boys this kind of recognition by featuring them in an amazing fly fishing film was a gentle act of kindness.

There is just nothing like being around kids to me. Better yet, there is nothing like being around kids fishing. Tait an Jax tie their own flies and adore fishing any chance they get. Carter highlighted kids at play here in a clever way. Illustrating a day in the life of the McKay brothers somehow fit with this video. Like the other anglers, they love it for similar reasons. To get out with great people in the fresh air and cool waters and to play freely to forget all the stresses of the day. That’s what fishing is made of.

Once the show was over and handshakes and autographs abounded, we headed back to the Inn where we enjoyed the band Jason Spooner. It was a super nightcap to an incredibly exciting day for two brothers hailing from Winterport, Maine.

Jax signing autographs

East By North East is a cleverly produced film that this family will watch again and again.

Jennifer Bowman-McKay, wife of Kevin McKay, mother of Tait and Jax and editor.

I am half way through building my rod. I was going to go with ghost wraps but I think that is a little to ambitious for a first rod. Ray and I decided to go with black nylon wraps because they are stronger and easier to deal with. I recommend you take a class or work with a friend for your first rod, it will save you time and mistakes.

I am half way through finishing the rod, we have to sign it and add the finish and it will be ready to fish. I have found it to be a simple process but you need time and patience. It has been a great learning experience but I doubt I will be building another.

I happened to come across this video on youtube. It is done by a couple of friends of mine from right here in Maine. I think this is probably the best video I have seen on Jeremy’s site, edited by Greg Bostater, great footage and nice song. This also has video of Greg’s monster bone fish. Nice work guys!

This is a new fly fishing film, by Gray Ghost Production, that is coming out in February. They did the film The One, that came out last year.   This new film  has some footage of my two boy on it Tait and Jax.Check out the trailer,looks like a lot of great footage.