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
East by North East Film Review
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.
Scott S4 Fly Rod review
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
“Drift” A Film Review
Over the past few years there has been a real surge with fly fishing films hitting your favorite fly shops. They aren’t just the “how to” films any more. They are mostly about your favorite destination and every film has their own theme or way of getting a message across. It seems that everyone wants to compare any new fly fishing movie to “A River Runs Through It.” Yet it is not the same type of film. “DRIFT” shows you the realism behind the writers and guides.
I would imagine I own most of the fly fishing videos that are out there and I find every one of them to be great and entertaining. Recently, I had the opportunity to watch the new film “DRIFT” which will be released in November. I think I actually watched it three times in two days.
The first time I watched it I was just in awe over the cinematography. The way they captured each fish and its environment on camera made you feel like you were actually there. I felt like I was holding the fish and that got me excited.
The second time I viewed the video I spent more time listening to each story and interview. They take you there and make you want to go fishing. They show you they are there for the love of what they do, not the fame. There is a passion in their voices when they talk about what they love. One thing they bring to this and what I enjoy most about this sport, is the friendships that are made along the way. It will get you excited to form your own destination in the sport we all love so much.
The third time was to share it with my two boys who are nine and six years old. They are crazy about fishing and love to watch fly fishing videos. For this reason, there is one gripe I have about the film. There is a spot that I had to fast forward through because of swearing. On the other hand, I realize little kids are not their target audience. This scene is probably one of my favorite because it gives you a glimpse into their world of guiding.
It is a great film and will find its own place in fly fishing history. It will get you excited this winter and make you want to get out as soon as possible and go fishing.
