Some of my early fishing memories do not involve angling at all, but rather, they center on the old gear my grandfather kept, which I pored over each time I visited.
There was the metal tackle box full of old plugs and spoons, a fly holder full of all types of flies and finally, the old fly rod with the Pflueger reel.
I can remember my grandfather taking me out on his back lawn and showing me how to cast a fly. It seemed so simple, the graceful arc of the line and the smooth uncurling of the fly to the grass.
When I tried, I whipped and snapped the fly off the leader. I have had many years to practice, but I think my grandfather was a better fly caster than I will ever be.
I still have his old tackle and that fly rod and reel, along with an old trolling set up. They hang proudly in my den, along with a photograph of me at 18 months with what I believe is my first fish. In the background on the dock, that old rod and reel are visible.
Those of us who were brought up hunting and fishing share an affinity for those who mentored us, the gear they used and anything tangible that was passed down to us. Just opening up my dad’s old Plano tackle box and getting a whiff of the familiar smell it exudes brings memories of him and days on the water back in clear focus.
Today I am fortunate to have many of the rods and gear of my regular hunting and fishing partner of more than 30 years. He passed away a few years back, and it feels good to keep his memory alive each spring by trolling with his favorite Fenwick Fenglass fly rod.
This ice-out, I caught a 5-pound salmon on his rod, and I’m sure he was watching. Hell, he was probably in the boat over my shoulder trying to coach me on the big fish.
Last weekend I had the fortune to dig deep into Sebago Lake’s angling history. Ken Ginder, who has the family camp on Sebago that his great-grandfather had since the 1900’s contacted me for a fishing trip on the big lake.
His great-grandfather, Edward Holden, was a fishing guide on Sebago and he also rented boats. Despite living on the lake and having a patriarch with such storied angling history, Ken had little experience on Sebago Lake, so he hired me to show him the ropes.
Aside from having a great morning on the water, and catching Ken his first lake trout, Ken opened up his family history books. Over a post-trip lunch, Ken showed off the family camp, photos of the camp in the 1900s, and pictures of his great-grandfather with a client and a huge salmon.
Old Edward himself was likely smiling down on Ken as he reeled in his trophy, but was likely annoyed by the amount of technology on my boat, like those of all the modern-day guides.
History teaches us lessons, but it also allows us to relive cherished memories. Maine’s fishing past is filled with figures like Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby, the first Registered Maine guide, Carrie Stevens, inventor of the Gray Ghost fly and noted artist and taxidermist Herbert Welch. Ken’s great-grandfather, Edward Holden, joins this company of these Maine characters, whose stories continue to inspire each time we take to the water.
