OQUOSSOC – The Rangeley Region Guides’ and Sportsmen’s Association will hold the 10th annual Outdoor Sporting Heritage Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the clubhouse on Old Skiway Road.

The focus will be on Rangeley’s historic outdoor sports of hunting, fishing and trapping. Twenty sporting and conservation exhibitors will attend. The day will include educational lectures, demonstrations, contests, games for youngsters and archery and shotgun demonstrations. Admission and parking are free.

A tribute will be given to Carrie Stevens, well-known flymaker of the Rangeley Region and creator of many of the streamer flies of the Rangeley Lakes. Stevens tied all her flies by hand without a vise.

On hand to demonstrate her technique and tie her special patterns will be Selene Dumaine, of Brook Song Angling. The Rangeley Region Lakes Historical Society will exhibit its collection of Stevens streamer flies and the fish logs from the Upper Dam House containing the records of Stevens’ historic brook trout catches.

“Carrie Stevens flies were eagerly sought by anglers fishing the Rangeley area in her day and are famous the word over today. She is an integral part of the history and lore of Rangeley. Honoring her exemplifies the purpose of the event to help residents and visitors gain a fuller appreciation for the sporting traditions and history of the region,” said Don Palmer, association president.

The main event will be the Maine Guide flycasting contest sponsored by Rivers Edge Sports and the Rangeley Region Sports Shop, held for the third year. The contest is open to all Registered Maine Guides who will cast for distance and accuracy.

The contest will focus on flycasting skills necessary when fishing the Rangeley area. The contest will begin at 3 p.m., and the winner will take home a first prize of $200.

In addition, this year will be the first Maine Guide trap shooting contest. It will be held at 1 p.m. at the Bald Mountain shooting range up the road from the clubhouse.

Other events will include a demonstration of shotgun shooting with hands-on instruction for youngsters in gun handling and safety, archery and bow hunting demonstrations with hands-on instruction, a field trial with dogs worked on land and water, a hands-on pond ecology session for youngsters and a youth fishing and canoe racing contest on the kids fishing pond.

Many exhibitors will participate, including wildlife artists Dave Footer, Dave Tibbetts, Terri Mason and Marcia Baker. On hand also will be the Maine Trappers Association, Maine Conservation Camp, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Sam, TRAC and Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife personnel. A fishing stocking of the kids’ pond will also occur, with youngsters assisting with handling the fish.

Food will also be appropriate for the event. Bison, elk, and venison burgers will be available accompanied by Dave’s fries and cowboy coffee.

For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 864-5571 or Kirby Holcombe at 864-5748. The association is the largest local sportsmen’s club in Maine, with more than 500 members.

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