First Annual Freeze Up
by Kevin McKay
January 2003

The temperature gauge in my truck read 5 below zero. We packed our gear as the sun came up at 7:00 am on January 11, 2004. We were heading to the Presumpscot River in Windham, Maine for our first annual Freeze Up. There we were, a group of fly anglers embracing 2004 by having a tailgate party to celebrate the first fly-fishing escapade of the new year.

Aaron, Dave and myself arrived at the river around 10:00 am. Dick Babine and Kim Lim were sitting in their trucks waiting for us. We all jumped out into the cold, grinning. The conversation was primarily about how crazy we were for undertaking such a task in the dead of winter, wading through the frigid water and all. Soon our attention was turned to Dick who told us about a 12- inch salmon he caught on an egg pattern. I don't know if the waders went on so swiftly due to the cold or the thought of catching a fish!

Kim and Dave decided they weren't as crazy as us and decided stay by the warm stove to heat up the chili my wife made, smoked salmon from Russ in Alaska, and hot dogs. Shortly after setting up the grill, two more guys showed up, Mike and Bill. One more showed just to see if we were crazy enough to go through with such a nutty plan.

Bill, Mike, Aaron, Dick and I fished until about 1:30. It wasn't easy fishing. The ice had formed over the entire pool, under the bridge and on the edge of the river, sticking out about two feet. This would slice through our leader and make it difficult for us to get a drift in what little water was free. I saw one fish come from under the ice and go back under; probably discovered it was too cold.

A father and son stopped in to try out the son's new fly rod. They were both beginners and couldn't have picked a better time to come to the river as Alan took time to set them up with a new leader, the right fly selection and a few tips. They didn't catch anything but you could see their smiles as they came up over the bank.

The temperature gauge in my truck read fourteen degrees as we loaded up to head home. Before we left, everyone's name went into a hat to raffle off the 19 flies that we all contributed. Bill was the lucky winner. Smiles and firm handshakes were exchanged as we said our goodbyes. I left as excited as when I arrived. I made new friends and spent the day with some old. The Spring Warm Up is already being planned for spring!