Maine Fly Fish
By Kevin McKay
A 2 Fly Bug Bumper is exactly what it sounds like—you’re only allowed to use two flies of your choice for the entire event. What began as a small gathering of friends has grown into one of New England’s most anticipated fly-fishing competitions.
Six years ago, www.maineflyfish.com and www.mainefishingadventures.com launched the event because guiding and work left little time to fish with friends. “North of Portland, the fly-fishing community doesn’t always come together,” says organizer Kevin McKay. “We wanted to change that.”
From Cookout to Competition
In the very first year, participants paid a $50 entry fee that covered rented cabins and a big cookout. Whatever money remained went to charity. Since then, the event has steadily grown, drawing anglers from across New England—Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and even New York.
One special tradition has been the presence of artist Mark Uysk: https://www.flymonkeystudio.com/ , who travels north each year to design a piece of art for the Biggest Smallmouth Trophy.
The Prize Table
Each year, prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, as well as Largest Smallmouth and the quirky but coveted Chub Trophy. Thanks to generous sponsors, the prize table now rivals that of major tournaments.
This year’s haul included rods from Redington and Echo, gear from Yeti, flies from Rainey’s, apparel from Twelve Weight, lines from Airflo, nets from Mayfly Nets, and contributions from Annika Fly Shop. The total value was in the thousands.
Rules of the Game
The Bug Bumper kicks off Friday night at Marsh Island, where anglers check in, receive rulers, and review the rules. On Saturday, fishing runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a check-in deadline of 5 p.m. at Orono Brewing Company.
There, Stac McKay records each contestant’s five best fish, measured nose to tail, and the combined total length determines the winners.
Anything goes: wading, boat, kayak, or even hiring a guide. A few years ago, anglers voted to allow McKay himself to guide, which means his clients occasionally end up on the leaderboard.
On the Water
This year, McKay guided father-and-son team Brent and Jack Hoots. Early on, both hooked into big fish but couldn’t bring them to the net. By mid-morning, they had their five fish and started upgrading.
The highlight came when Brent landed a 20 ¾-inch river smallmouth, putting him in strong contention. Not long after, Jack redeemed himself in a spot where he had lost a giant the year before, this time landing a beauty that pushed him near the top of the board.
By 1:30 p.m., Brent totaled 83.25 inches and Jack 78.5 inches, both strong scores.
Meanwhile, McKay’s son, Tait, faced his own drama when a landowner sent her pit bull at him and his friend while they were wading. Other anglers later reported similar harassment. “It’s illegal in Maine to harass sportsmen,” McKay noted, “but thankfully it didn’t overshadow the day.”
Winners and Giving Back
At Orono Brewing, anglers gathered for food, beer, and prizes while swapping stories from the water. The event was a resounding success, raising $3,000 for Maine TU Trout Camp, a program that teaches youth ages 13–17 the art of fly fishing.
2025 Winners:
More Than Just a Tournament
The 2 Fly Bug Bumper has become more than a fishing competition—it’s a tradition. It’s about camaraderie, storytelling, and giving back to the next generation of anglers.
“It’s about more than fishing,” McKay says. “It’s about community, friendships, and supporting kids who will carry this tradition forward.”
