Fly Rod Crosby Project

REMEMBERING OUR HERITAGE

When the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife moves to its new Augusta headquarters in 2026 on the east bank of the Kennebec River, the Friends of Fly Rod Crosby will be there to dedicate a monument that will honor Cornelia Thurza Crosby.

“Fly Rod” Crosby was the unsurpassed fly fishing guide of the Rangeley Lakes who took her show on the road in the 1890s to market Maine far and wide. For her vision, outdoor skills and accomplishments, conservation ethic, and advocacy for the licensing of wilderness guides, “Fly Rod” was awarded Maine Guide license Number One.

Inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018 she began to receive due recognition for her contribution Maine’s reputation as vacationland.

A BRONZE STATUE TO HONOR FLY ROD

Our mission is to raise the needed funds from private donors and sponsors to present the state of Maine with a bronze statue of Cornelia Crosby which will stand outside the entrance to the new headquarters of the MDIFW (or an appropriate location on the grounds).  Our goal is to unveil the monument at the dedication of the new Department building.  Once she is standing where she can look across the Kennebec our work will be done.

The 2022 Maine budget approved by Governor Janet Mills gave the state permission to buy two parcels of land in Augusta and build a new facility to serve as headquarters for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.