Tait and Jax jumped into the pool outside, the steam rose into the air and Kevin waded in behind them. The temperature was a cool 40 degrees while the water must have been closer to 80. It was sunny with a crystal clear, blue sky, the mountains were watching us from a distance and I was in a lawn chair with my winter jacket on and my shades, awaiting a massage. This my friends, is the “good life.”

We were in the tiny town of Bethel, Maine on a chilly March day as we anticipated the premier of Carter Davidson’s third fly fishing movie, THE GOOD LIFE Tall Tails from the East. A dip in the pool for the boys and a massage for me at the lovely Bethel Inn, was prep time before the showing. After that, we enjoyed a great meal at the pub downstairs and walked over with Jim Bernstein, a dear friend and one of the stars of the movie, to watch it in a nearby building. Once there, we enjoyed drinks in the jovial spirit our fellow fishing bums deserved and hunkered down for the viewing. Tait and Jax grabbed their seats in the front row and away we went! THE GOOD LIFE Tall Tails from the East, By Gray Ghost Productions.

Kevin, Tait and Jax are among many anglers in this fantastic film that highlights the triumphs and even a couple of tribulations of the beginning, middle and end of an angler’s day. How each explains the world of fishing and how it meshes with, or is “the good life,” captures the audience. The Atlantic coast is the host as the tour starts with our very own Kevin McKay in the Florida Keys catching sharks and peacock bass! With beautiful footage and the right amount of humor, we are immediately drawn into one fisherman’s story if his version of “the good life.”

A moving clip of women in varying phases of recovery from breast cancer are shown as they tout the good life as the hope they feel when fly fishing at ‘Casting For Recovery’. This is a camp women attend where they learn fly casting and fly fishing techniques as well as how precious life is and how hope is really what fishing is all about each time you cast a fly!

Later in the film you see Tait and Jax shown as sneaking out of school to grab their dad’s boat to head to the local crappie and bass pond, to catch and net a few on their own. Sitting on a large rock the two boys tell their tales of what it is like to fish with each other. Of course, this makes a mom proud, what can I say!

Another fisherman in the film is Jim Bernstein from Eldredge Bros. Fly Shop in Cape Neddick, Maine. Here Jim tells of the concerning case of the change in striper population decline over the past five years or so. In addition, he is concerned about the chemicals found in fish coming out of our oceans. His passion for fishing, as he describes the early morning ocean scene, is obvious.

Each story told is different, yet tells the common theme of the good life and how simple that really is to achieve. It really makes me wonder why everyone doesn’t fish. I have my own life, and the thing about fishing is it makes you stop and realize how good you have it no matter what you have.

For me, watching THE GOOD LIFE just simply makes me want to get out and fish. The footage and scenery is fabulous. The choice moments of slow motion of that fly line paired with the aerial views from above add to the movie’s sense of peace. The music is awesome and the tales are great. I laughed and cried the first time I watched it. It also makes me grateful that my compact family of four all love to fish together and that we are indeed ALWAYS, living the good life.

Kevin and I review movies annually it seems and we have our favorite producers you could say. Carter Davidson is definitely right there. You might think it’s because my family is in this film. Perhaps. But, it is also because Carter has a gift for sharing the experience of fly fishing in a way that points straight to the heart of what viewers want to see in a film about fishing; beautiful fish, scenery, good music, some laughs and emotion.

Jennifer Bowman-McKay

Get your copy

Some photos from the first showing in Bangor,ME. at the Sea Dog:

Mike thanking Jax for drawing his name for the Grants Camp two night stay

Today felt like Christmas! When I got to my mailbox there was a yellow envelope from Creekside Media. I wasn’t really sure what it was. I wasn’t expecting anything but, when I saw MetalHead, a big smile came over my face. I was very excited to get home and pop this film in. This is the last movie from AEG (Angling Exploration Group). AEG started the Adventure fly fishing film industry with Trout Bum Diaries: Patagonia, then Kiwi Camo to Fish Bum: Mongolia and the final one with MetalHead.

MetalHead is a film about five guys doing a trip on the west coast for wild steelhead. They show you some huge rewards that come from putting your time in and doing your homework before a trip.

I must say this was the best one by far. I enjoyed the other three and up to this point, Patagonia was my favorite. In MetalHead, they had me right from the start with the building of the boat, and it never stopped from there. I enjoy seeing what it takes to put together a trip like these guys do. They take you through the trials and tribulations of a trip of this magnitude. You can feel the pain of the guy that gets left behind to the ribbing and teasing of the guy who craps in his pants. Unlike the other films, this felt like a trip I could actually do, so it drew me in more.

So as a test, to see if the film was as good as I thought it was, I put the film in my computer and walked away, as my 7 year old and 10 year boys were in my office. An hour later they came out. I could here them laughing at the funny parts and saying, “Wow!” at the exciting ones. I few times I was called into the office to see some huge steelhead.

When my 7 year old came out of the office I asked him what he thought and he said “That was awesome!” Right after, my oldest came out and he said, “Those were some huge fish!”

I guess I was right.

Kevin McKay

Get your copy here

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

No Sports Allowed Vol.1

I was recently sent a copy of No Sports Allowed. I had never heard of this film or the guys producing this film, so I had no expectations, unlike my expectations on some of the bigger names putting out fly fishing films. One thing I have seen is, if you want to get anyone’s attention you need to put something out there that is different, or do it better than anyone one else.

No Sports Allowed shows you what some guides in Idaho like to do on their day off, hang out with friends and fish. This film is smack full of fish porn, good music and camaraderie of friends and family enjoying what they love best, fly fishing.

I really enjoyed how they took you on each adventure with them and made you feel like you were part of the adventure. The characters along with all the fish footage really ties this film together. The places they could get those skiffs into really made me want to get one and try some adventures of my own.

This was a fun film to watch and I will be sharing it with my buddies. If you want to pick a copy up for yourself you can get them at No Sports Allowed.

Rise

This past week I was sent an early copy of the new film, Rise. In 2008 The film, Drift was released and it was highly acclaimed and this film is no different. I think Rise takes it to the next level with the cinematography and how in depth the stories are.This is a great documentary and I will find myself spending many cold, winter days watching this and dreaming of some time going to these great places.

We all have a story and this film does a great job bringing each individual’s story to life and with the combination of incredible footage of the environment and landscape, all done in HD, it is hard not to be drawn in. In the new film Rise, they show a few who have made fishing their lifestyle and passion. Their stories will capture you and you can feel the passion and enjoyment of what they do by hearing it in their voices.

My favorite part of Rise is the segment called “Angler’s Paradise.” I particularly enjoyed this section because it’s about three different generations running a lodge and making fly fishing their way of life. I liked how it described the history of Angler’s Paradise and that it is was the first fishing lodge in Alaska.

“We fish because it is fun,” are the final words spoken by the narrator in the fly fishing film Rise. All of us who chase fish know, that is why we all do it and Rise shows you just how fun it can be.

Rivers of a Lost Coast from Skinny Fist on Vimeo.

THE STORY

The Review

I must admit I am addicted to all the new fly fishing films and I own almost all of them. I also don’t think since the movie A river Runs Through it, there has been a film that has of the same quality or captures you into the story, until now.

I have watched the Rivers of a Lost Coast four times since receiving it and have let friends and family watch it. The reaction is always the same, “That was incredible!” I even had a film producer friend say, “that it is award winning quality.”

The film is a documentary of the decline of fishing on the west coast and the conflict between two friends but, the way the stories are presented doesn’t feel like that. Each story draws you in and keeps you watching.

This film is a must see for anyone who cares about their fishery. This film will make you aware that it could happen to your own river and that we all play a part in protecting our fisheries.

I highly recommend you go see this film or buy it when it comes out. It is a film you will watch for years to come.

Maine’s first showing is: Sun-9/13 Waterville, ME Rail Road Square Cinema 1:00 pm

Here are list of showings near you

To find out more check out their website: Rivers of a Lost Coast

I had the rare weekend off from guiding and it happened to be the 4th of July weekend and my wedding anniversary. I knew I wanted to get the family fishing, but where? I remembered I had met Bob Blunt, the son of the owner of Grant’s Camps in Rangeley, and he had invited me to come up, so I gave him a call and booked a couple of nights.

I have been very skeptical about all the gates in Rangeley and that you need to stay at a lodge or know the right person, but I have to say there was something very special about the idea of hooking a fish that might not have ever seen a fly or have been hooked.

I wasn’t there ten minutes and Bob was convincing me to go hit the river. My wife, being the best wife ever, unpacked the truck and got us settled. Bob, his dad, and I, hit the Kennebago river and within minutes I was onto my first Kennebago salmon.

I am not sure what it was, but there was a different look to this fish from other salmon I have caught.The spots seemed bigger and blacker and the cheek color was unique.

While the weather was cool and rainy, we were able to hike into a remote pond where canoes and boats are stashed. They packed us a lunch and we had a shore side lunch after our hike in. Jen and the boys got a bunch of small brook trout but Bob’s wife got a 19 inch brook trout right up to the boat before it got away.

Jen also had the opportunity to get out with the boys and I and fished for wild brook trout in the Logans, which is part of Kennebago lake. As far as we could see there were rising fish, I sat there and watched them catch brook trout, it was very special to watch my wife and kids have fun catch trout on dries and laughing when they missed one and giggling like kids when they were able to hook one.

When we weren’t out fishing the lake, the boys were casting off the dock or lazing in the hammock.

Grant’s is a real special place. The owners, the food, the fish, the location and the guests really make it a great place to experience. You can truly sense the history of the cabins and the lake. You can only imagine all the fishing tales that unfolded once upon a time, on those cool Rangely boats. Not to mention the happy hours spent on each dock in front of the quaint cabins while guests shared times past and thoughts for the day. Perhaps generations of anglers pay this place a visit. We can’t wait to return!

Jim has been coming to Grant’s for 22 years.

Rangely boat parked in front of the camp.

The food was homemade goodness! The wait staff, in particular, Mark, made it a welcoming experience.

The crew

Changing Planes
by Kathy Scott

I must admit, I tend to be drawn more towards books based in fiction, however, as I started reading Kathy Scott’s CHANGING PLANES, I was pleasantly surprised.

Even though this book is about Kathy building her first bamboo fly rod, I think it is much more than that. I found it to be about the basics of life and how we really need to enjoy and appreciate the every day routines that we find ourselves in.

Kathy’s writing draws you into her daily routine. Each night I looked forward to seeing what she and David and the dogs would be up to. Her writing made her every day routine fun. I found myself on her nightly walks around the pond. You could almost hear the frogs on the pond as she and her dogs explored each cove. I could even feel the pain of her tragedy in one section.

I met Kathy and David several years ago at a TU meeting and they were some of the nicest people I had every met. It was right when her fist book came out, Moose in the Water. After reading this book, I am going to go dig out her fist one, now that I know what I missed.

This a great read and an easy one. I highly recommend you pick one up. You can pick one up here:  Alder Creek Publishing

Kevin McKay

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.

Recently on www.maineflyfish.com, anglers were discussing new products they had purchased in 2008. It got me thinking about what I had bought besides the used Hyde drift boat. I had purchased a Scott A2 and a Scott S4 9 foot, 5 weight fly rod. I think I used the S4 rod more than the other. I used it on the West Branch of the Penobscot River for land locked salmon and on the Penobscot River for smallmouth bass, so I was able to try this rod on dry flies to poppers.

When I received my rod, my eye was drawn to two things right off, the color of the rod and the wood spacer which is buckeye burl. I liked the fact the rod was a grey color because my rods see a lot of water time and end up on the rocks and ground while I take photos of fish. Sometimes they end up in the hand of a new fly fisherman, which may put them at greater risk for damage and I don’t want to worry about ruining the pretty rod. The grey color helps camouflage potential dings.

When I put the rod together and placed it in my hand, I instantly loved how it felt. I could feel it had a stiffness to it but not like a broom handle. When you wiggled it in your hand, like everyone does, it had a nice feel to it, stiff but not too stiff. I knew this was going to replace my XP.

The first place I tried it out was on the West branch of the Penobscot throwing a nymphing rig, two split shots, a big stone fly and a dropper. It had no problem flinging that set up up river all day and I never broke a fish off due to stiffness of the rod. I thought the real test would be in the evening at the Big Eddy throwing dries to big salmon just before dark. It laid the # 16 caddis out nicely and had tons of power to get to those hard to reach fish. Again, I never broke off a salmon on the set due to stiffness of the rod.

I also gave it a run on the Penobscot for smallmouth bass and it had no problem throwing large flies into the wind. I never got fatigue casting all day and I mean 8 to 10 hour days plus casting poppers and chenoblys. It also handled clousers and buggers nicely but I should have had a 6 or 7 weight; I bet those would be a great streamer rod, maybe this year.

Keep in mind I am a guide and fly fisherman, I don’t get into the technical aspects of fly fishing equipment. I just want to give you an honest opinion. I am not sure of their warranty but expect it to be as good as their rods. So my over all opinion is the S4 9 foot 5 weight is a great all around rod, to chase most any fish.

Kevin McKay