Nominations sought for Fly Rod Crosby Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominations are being accepted for the 2024 Fly Rod Crosby Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is presented annually by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to an individual dedicated to the stewardship and wise use of Maine’s natural resources, and who has been active in the Maine outdoors for a lifetime.

The award honors not only the recipient, but also recognizes Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby’s work in promoting and showcasing Maine’s outdoors.

Crosby is known as Maine’s first registered guide, a program that she worked hard to establish, but she was also an outdoor mentor, and an ambassador for the state. For 15 years, she wrote an outdoors column in the local newspaper, the Phillips Phonograph, in which she detailed her outdoor adventures, passing on tips and tales that helped others enjoy the outdoors.

To be eligible, nominees must have hunted, trapped, and fished in Maine for a combined total of 40 years. For example, to meet that requirement an individual may have fished for 20 years, trapped for 10 years, and hunted for 10 years; or they could have fished for 30 years and hunted for 10 years. Ideal candidates would also be active in mentoring, teaching, or instructing outdoor activities.

Nominations should include the nominees’ name, address, phone number, photograph and a few paragraphs about the individual, their experience in the Maine outdoors, and an explanation of why they are a deserving candidate. The nominator’s contact information should also be included.

Nominations must be submitted by Monday, July 1, by email to Emily MacCabe at emily.macCabe@maine.gov or by mail to 353 Water St, SHS 41, Augusta, Maine 04333.

For more information, visit maine.gov/ifw.

Award recipients will be selected by a committee of individuals from the department and will be recognized at the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine annual banquet in September.