Gray Ghost Karma

For most New England fly fishermen, the Gray Ghost fly is one of their favorite and most enduring flies.  The Gray Ghost is a real beauty and the story of its origination bears sharing.

The Gray Ghost was invented by Carrie Gertrude Stevens of Madison, Maine.  She was the wife of Wallace Stevens who was a guide at Upper Dam in Maine.  During the summer months the Stevens lived in a small cabin, called Camp Midway, on the Carry Road at the Upper Dam.  The cabin is still there and a bronze plaque has been placed near it that is inscribed with the story of the Gray Ghost.  The plaque states, in part:

FISHERMEN: PAUSE HERE A MOMENT and pay your respects to Carrie Gertrude Stevens.

Mrs. Stevens was truly a self-taught flytier and the story goes that in July, 1924, Mrs. Stevens took time out from her housework to tie the Gray Ghost.  She made the fly to resemble a smelt.  When Mrs. Stevens went to the Upper Dam pool to test it out, she quickly hooked a 6 pound 13 ounce brook trout, which she promptly placed in a Field & Stream competition and took second prize. After that day, she actively took part in fly tying and made fly fishing history in the Rangeley area of Maine.

Carrie Stevens went on to create dozens of other streamer patterns that are still being used today.  The patterns are admittedly difficult to tie but to those fishermen who still diligently and faithfully produce current renditions and fish them they are the only way to fish streamers.  But of all the patterns Mrs. Stevens created, the Gray Ghost remains the most popular and holds a record for the largest number of strikes ever recorded on a single fly on Lake Mooselookmeguntic: 103.

I hold a personal soft spot in my heart for the Gray Ghost and I would not consider going on any fishing venture without at least two or three, if for no other reason than the karma that they bring.

Fundraising For Fiscal Responsibility

An open letter to the taxpayers of Hamilton and Wenham
from the tax watchdog group Citizens For Fiscal Responsibility,
better known as Enough Is Enough:

Dear Enough Is Enough Supporters,

As we enter our third year as a community organization, EiE is proud to have played a leading role in the following initiatives that we either started or supported:

• We successfully ended a decade-long string of annual Proposition 2 ½ overrides, the cumulative cost of which has exceeded $40 million and has resulted in Hamilton and Wenham’s tax rates being among the highest on the North Shore.

• We began and submitted a Citizen’s Petition that resulted in the approval by the voters of both towns of an amendment to the Regional School District Agreement allowing for an operational audit of the school district. The results are due in January, 2011.


• We were instrumental in developing the Request For Proposal (RFP) for the operational audit.


• We researched and provided the names of the two operational audit firms that were the finalists for selection to perform the audit.


• We exposed the HWRSD maintenance spending inconsistencies.


• We discouraged the School Committee from creating a redundant school maintenance account (called the “Stabilization Fund”).


• We researched, wrote, published and delivered The Hamilton-Wenham Free Press to every household in both towns…2009 & 2010.


• We actively supported the Organic Waste Recycling Program in both towns.


• We debunked the NEASC loss of accreditation tactic that had been used for years to encourage school override requests.


• We supported the initiative to replace the boilers at the Cutler School.


• We offered suggestions and recommendations to the School Committee during union contract negotiations.


• We successfully petitioned the rescheduling of Hamilton Town Meetings from week nights to Saturday mornings…just like Wenham.


• We supported increasing the number of Selectmen in Hamilton from three to five.


• We supported the change to Town Manager form of government in Hamilton.


• We supported Hamilton’s first in the Commonwealth Senior Tax Exemption initiative.


• We recommended that the DPW's in both towns take over all maintenance of HWRSD grounds and buildings.


• WE CONTINUE TO PAY STRICT ATTENTION ON YOUR BEHALF.

But we need your help in continuing our worthy cause.

We are asking you to help us in two ways. First, please send your most generous donation to us at Citizens For Fiscal Responsibility. One hundred percent of your money is used for mailing, printing, marketing and supplies.

The $100 you send now may save you much more than that next year and every year after that. The defeat of the $1.2 million override in 2009 is saving the taxpayers of Hamilton and Wenham $3,400 a day…every day…every year.

If you are unable to donate $100, please consider donating $75, $50, or even $25. We are acutely aware of economic conditions and only ask that you help us according to your means.

Please make checks payable to “Citizens For Fiscal Responsibility”

and mail to: 10 Meyer Lane, Hamilton, MA 01982

Another equally important way you can help out is to recommend others to join EiE and participate in our scheduled membership meetings. We currently have over 400 members, but we can always use another hand. Also, having your email address allows us to provide you with up-to-date information regarding important issues taking place in our two towns.

Thank you for your consideration...

Enough Is Enough / Hamilton and Wenham