This weekend Coach B packed me and my son Reed into his Subaru and headed to the fly fishing show in Marlborough, MA. The air was electric. It felt like three kids going to a candy store without parental supervision, but with adult money. Yes, it was pretty magical.
Fly fishing shows have something for everyone who wants to fish and some interesting things for those who don’t. The show features some great footage of people fly fishing in places the average person would probably never get to, but a person can dream. The show also featured fly rod and reel vendors, outfitters offering guide services anywhere in the world and lodging to go along with it. There were master fly tyers who demonstrated how to tie their special flies with lots of technical tips, and others sold fly tying supplies.
When we got there I had to use the men’s room. I was very excited. Well, that and the big cup of coffee I had on the way down. But I was excited. My first stop was at the Maine Fly Company booth. The company makes some nice small batch fly rods topped with a Ross reel. They featured a limited edition three weight rod that would be fun to use for fishing small stream Brookies. I almost busted that one’s wallet, but I really wanted to wait until I visited their store in Falmouth, Maine. I think all three of us were willing to go to the wallet for this one.
Next we visited the JH Becker Rodworks booth. Jim Becker is from Pawlet, Vt., and offers custom bamboo rods and repair and restoration. I told Jim that I had a couple of nice bamboo sticks from Orvis, but I was almost afraid to use them because they looked so delicate. Jim, who worked for the Orvis Fly rod company for 18 years, laughed and said that’s a common mistake. Jim told me about a time he fell down a steep bank while fishing. Jim said he thought he had broken his arm. The bamboo stick in her hand brought her down with barely a scratch. Jim said a graphite rod would have broken.
I then tried to subtly ask him where he fished on the Battenkill River. Jim started to tell me, caught himself with a smile, and then said, “I’ll just tell you it’s down town.”
My next stop was to see my friends at the Lopstick Lodge in Pittsburg, NH. Reed and I have been going there for years. Lopstick offers a wide variety of services and is a certified Orvis dealer, which was a good thing when Reed blew out the wading boots one year on the river. We started staying at the lodge after having a swim while camping at Lake Francis State Park. While I like the romantic idea of rustic camping, and would still camp there, my back prefers the comforts of a lodge with a hot tub.
Coach B met up with our mutual friends from Dover. Kevin McEneaney and Doc Middleton, who along with other friends own Lakewood Campgrounds on the Rapid River in Maine. The Rapid River was made famous by the book “We Took to the Woods” by author Louise Dickinson Rich. Coach B decided we should take a trip up. I told the trainer that I might have to buy another rod for that trip.
A trip to the fly fishing show wouldn’t be complete without a visit to see our friend and fly master Scott Biron. We made plans to fish a small trout pond in the Wakefield, NH area. Scott gave us some tips on what flies to get and what colors. Reed said his main friend Mikey could hook us up with some flies. After another round we left with a slightly lighter wallet, and soon it will be much lighter.
A trip to the show wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Chick-fiL-A. I even brought a couple home for the bride. I’m thinking I’m good for Valentine’s.
George Liset of Dover is an award-winning outdoor writer and avid fly fisherman who shares insights from his time on the water exploring streams and rivers in New Hampshire as well as surrounding New England. George graduated from Wheaton College, Illinois, and the University of New Hampshire. His Writing on the Fly column has won awards from the New England Press Association and the New Hampshire Press Association.