Last fall, Brent West, Amanda Laliberte, and Lloyd Griscom joined Borealis host Aislinn Sarnacki of Maine Public for a walk on the Reeds Loop of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail, spotlighting Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby as one of Maine’s original outdoor pioneers and recreational founders.

The video also highlights the Phillips Historical Society and the Friends of Fly Rod Crosby, weaving in stories and familiar regional faces who help keep Crosby’s legacy alive. Roger Lambert, Alliance board member and representative of the Friends of Fly Rod Crosby, makes an appearance, sharing his perspective on how local volunteers and community groups continue to honor Fly Rod’s legacy on the land. Alongside them, the piece features the Outdoor Heritage Museum in Oquossoc, whose Fly Rod exhibition offers a thoughtful look at the early days of outdoor recreation and guiding in our region.

Fly Rod Crosby helped make Maine a place where people feel welcome to fish, hike, explore, and spend time outdoors. As Maine’s first Registered Maine Guide, she opened doors for generations of visitors and residents to discover the forests, streams, and mountains that shape our region.

The Reeds Loop is the original trailhead of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail. It offers a short loop that includes a gentle section along Orbeton Stream, making it a great outing for all ages. We hope you’ll come enjoy this small but meaningful part of the trail and imagine the footsteps you’re following.

The Borealis segment and this walk together remind us that the Maine we love today—its outdoor culture, conservation ethic, and sense of place—was shaped by visionaries like Fly Rod Crosby and the volunteers, neighbors, and organizations who keep that story alive.