This past summer I had acquired a beautiful Orvis bamboo fly rod made by famed fly rod maker Wes Jordan. Most fly fishers recognize the Orvis name, purveyors of fine fly fishing equipment, however, not many would recognize the name Wes Jordan. Bamboo fly rods and their makers are a whole nother rabbit hole. At the time, I also picked up some flies and a book on Carrie Stevens, the famed fly tier from Upper Dam, Maine who is credited with designing the classic Black Ghost fly.
The gentleman I purchased this from had a house on the Upper Dam and knew Carrie Stevens and thought that some of the flies might have been tied by Carrie. I was beyond excited at that possibility. It was shortly after this that I happened to go to an Antique Show at the Dover, NH Elks. Sitting by the door in his booth was my friend Glenn Grant. I have known Glenn for a number of years from this show and other shows in Maine.
George LIset
I always enjoy Glenn’s booth because it is filled with “Guy Stuff”, that is all things guys, like hunting and fishing items. Glenn goes by “The Maine Man”, because he is all about everything Maine. I knew Glenn would appreciate my recent finds. I first told him about my Wes Jordan fly rod because I knew he would know the name. Glenn was as excited as I was because he can appreciate the art of the find, being in the business. I then told him that I possibly had some Carrie Stevens flies. His eyes lit up and then nonchalantly he told me he also knew Carrie Stevens. As a matter of fact she had tied a fly for him at the streamside when he was a young boy.
I asked him if he still had it. Glenn mentioned that, “No”, he didn’t. Glenn donated it to an auction for the Salmon Project in Maine. Glenn also told me that he donated some of Carrie’s flies to the American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, Vermont and some to the Outdoor Heritage Museum in Oquossoc, Maine. I asked Glenn where he obtained all the flies.
Glenn told me that his grandfather owned Grant’s Camps on Kennebago Lake in Maine and that they had a display box of Carrie’s flies that they sold to the sports for seventy-five cents each. When his grandfather sold the camps, he gave Glenn the flies. Glenn told me Carrie never used a vice to tie flies and that she did them all by hand. Glenn said that the sports would bring boxes of fifty hooks when they came to camp and she would tie up flies for them. Glenn also reminded me that at that time not many houses had electricity, and that Carrie tied by lantern or candle light. I eventually found out none of my flies were tied by Carrie, but they were well done and beautiful.
Glenn shared that when he was younger he used to guide for his grandfather at the Camps. Then he told me about how he guided the late-great Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams. Then he told me about the time he introduced Ted to L.L. Bean. By now I was blown away. Glenn not only knew fly fishing royalty, he was a part of it. I am looking forward to more conversations with Glenn.
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George Liset of Dover is an award-winning outdoor writer and avid fly fisherman who shares insights of his time on the water exploring New Hampshire streams and rivers as well of those around New England. George is a graduate of Wheaton College, Illinois, and the University of New Hampshire.His column Writing on the Fly has been honored by the New England Press Association and the New Hampshire Press Association.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.
Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”
“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.
Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.
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However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.
READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate
Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.
Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.
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“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.
Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.
Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.
Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.
Keon Johnson had 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Maine Celtics defeated the Windy City Bulls 122-87 in an NBA G League game on Sunday afternoon at the Portland Expo.
Hason Ward scored 16 points and Jalen Bridges 14 for Maine (13-15), which had seven players score in double digits. Bridges drained four 3-pointers for the Celtics, who shot 13 for 28 (46.4%) from beyond the arc.
Max Shulga dished out 11 assists and scored nine points.
Maine led 33-18 after one quarter 72-36 at halftime.
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Keyshawn Bryant scored a game-high 25 points for Windy City (12-12).
