Fishing the Freeze Up: “We’re From Maine”

MaineFlyFish.com‘s Kevin McKay started a tradition in 2004 when he invited a few friends to celebrate the new year by fishing on the state’s Presumpscot River in the dead of winter.   Now it’s an annual event, with an ever-increasing number of participants and even some prizes, reports Deirdre Fleming in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

“No professionals are allowed in the casting competition, and past winners can’t compete.  “The best casters blow it. The pressure is too much. I make everyone enter. I go around and tell them. Then I tell the kids the tricks,’ McKay said. This year the competition was won by Sam Kenney, 12, of Dixmont, which made for a perfect Freeze Up ending.”