Rocky had a deep understanding of the relationship between recreation and tourism. Sun Valley Sports exemplifies the best practices in providing superior service to its guests. In 2007 Rocky and his wife Lisa received the Maine Governor’s Award for Excellence in Tourism Innovation.

The Rocky Freda Outdoor Travel Writing Award will be presented annually in May to a professional outdoor and/or travel writer who publishes a story in print, broadcast or on-line media about those outdoor activities in Maine that were dearest to Rocky’s heart-fly fishing, canoeing and kayaking, wildlife watching, bird hunting, white water rafting, ATV touring and snowmobiling as they relate to the Maine visitor.

A copy of the story should be submitted either electronically or as a hard copy by April First for stories published the preceding 12 months. Submission should be sent to the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance, PO Box 244, Bethel, Maine 04217 or to fish@upperandro.com. The writer’s name, mailing address, telephone and email address must accompany the story submission.

The award carries a cash prize of $200 and the story will be published on line at the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance website, www.upperandro.org if publishing rights are available.

All Events Below Are For the Year 2008

Float Stocking-This method of fish stocking helps decrease the stress on the fish and prevent mortality. The fish are loaded into floating pens attached to canoes and drift boats; then floated downstream and released into likely hiding places and feeding habitats. The ideal river temperature for stocking usually occurs in May but may be as early as April.

National River Clean Up-Founded in 1992 by America Outdoors and now under the auspices of American Rivers, NRCW assists local groups in keeping waterways clean. Rivers and watersheds have been used as dumps for old appliances, tires and other refuse. Litter, such as foam cups, plastic bottles and food wrappers float into waterways, build up along the shoreline and stay there for years. Local students along with UAAA guides are floating the Androscoggin from Gilead to Bethel to help preserve and protect the river. Information on NRCW is available at www.nationalrivercleanup.org.

Family Fishing Festival – A free family fishing festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Grand Summit Hotel Pond at Sunday River Ski Resort. Instruction in spin and fly-casting and fly tying continues throughout the day. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s “Hooked on Fishing” program will supply rods and reels. Children can practice their newly learned skills in the stocked pond. Youngsters are welcome to take home their hand tied flies and any fish caught that day. May 31 is a free fishing day in Maine. Resident and non-resident licenses are not required. Outdoor barbecue and lots of door prizes.<<read more here>>

Upper Andro Two Fly Contest – June 12 and 13, UAAA will host a two fly contest for drift boat anglers to test their casting skills. Each angler may use only two flies over the 30 hour period. Teams are comprised of two anglers and a judge/drift boat oarsman. Kittery Trading Post is providing over a thousand dollars worth of fishing gear for the winning teams. Advance registration is required. Information and entry forms are available by phoning 1-877-851-7533.<<<Get Rules and Application>>>

Northeast Drift Boat Competition- A first of its kind, the drift boat competition is scheduled for 2 pm Friday, June 13. The timed race will test guides’ skills at launching, course navigation and rowing. Designed as a spectator event, the competition will begin at the Route 2 Bridge and finish at Bethel’s Davis Park.<<<Get Rules and Information>>>

Spey Fishing Clinic – Monday, August 18. Morning and afternoon introductory instruction in Spey fishing, a traditional European fly-fishing technique using 10 to 16 foot rods.

For detailed information on events log onto www.upperandro.com or phone 1-877-275-3363.

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A River’s Journey: The Story of the Androscoggin

June 5, 2007 through May 31, 2009

In the Robinson House of the Bethel Historical Society

One of the largest rivers in northern New England, the Androscoggin drains an area of over 3,400 square miles in New Hampshire and Maine. The 170-mile waterway begins its journey near Errol, New Hampshire, at the outlet to the Rangeley Lakes and, punctuated with numerous rapids and falls, eventually mingles with the waters of the Kennebec River in Merrymeeting Bay below Brunswick, Maine. One of the most polluted rivers in the country by the 1960s, the Androscoggin has made a comeback thanks to more stringent rules governing industrial waste and municipal sewage, and is today a significant recreational resource for many communities situated along its banks This exhibition—through the use of selected images, artifacts and text—presents a vivid picture of the Androscoggin’s past as a transportation route (especially for logs during the 19th and 20th centuries), a source of nutrients for agricultural production and waterpower for industry, a subject for artists and photographers, and a destination for fishermen, canoeists and nature enthusiasts.

207-539-4848

E – Mail = cartersxcski@gmail.com

Website = www.cartersxcski.com

Maine Guide Service, fly fishing and casting lessons, private launch site, kayak & canoe rentals, guided trips and sales, lodge with 3 bedrooms, off-grid cabins with gas lights and cook stoves sleeping up to 10 guests.

207-824-2175
800-654-0125

E-Mail – info@bethelinn.com
Website – www.bethelinn.com

Maine’s premier four season resort, resort lodging; townhouses, fine dining in the grand dining rooms or casual dining at the Millbrook Tavern & Grille, live entertainment, 18 hole golf course, health club, outdoor heated pool, lake house, spa services, Orvis Fly Fishing Getaways with Sun Valley Sports, family friendly.

Upper Andro Anglers Alliance and Telstar High School Students to Clean Up Androscoggin River

River on the Rebound
By Roberta Scruggs (Downeast Magazine)

Andro Smallies
By Darl Black

Float Stocking The Upper Androscoggin River
By Thomas K. Remington
Photography and story introduction by Milt Inman

207-824-3754

Email: goodfood@megalink.net

Website: http://www.goodfoodbethel.com

Take out sandwiches and meals to go – fresh baked goods. BBQ and Catering.

207-824-3000

800-543-2SKI

E-Mail – info@sundayriver.com

Website – www.sundayriver.com

One of New England’s premier ski and golf destinations. The resort’s Grand Summit and Jordan Grand Hotels feature studio, one and two bedroom units with kitchens, telephone and cable TV. Each hotel has a pool, spa, hot tub, sauna and restaurant. The resort offers studio to five bedroom condominiums and an inn.

207-824-2174

800 395-7837

E-mail – info@sudburyinn.com

Website – www.sudburyinn.com

A comfortable 18 room inn circa 1873. Lively Pub with 29 beers on tap. Fine dining in award winning and nationally recognized restaurant. Hearty breakfast served daily.