by Heather Howell
Steve Murray, a member of Electrical Workers Local 104 from Cape Elizabeth, ME, always dreamed of running a fly fishing business when he retired. Though he got his start welding, Murray’s true passion lies in the great sport of fly fishing. So even with retirement still a few years away, when the Riverkeep Lodge in Labrador, Canada went up for sale, Murray sold his welding shop, joined the union and bought the lodge.
“I started fly fishing when I was a kid, and I love to get people involved as mush as possible,” said Murray.
When he invites Brotherhood Outdoors co-hosts Daniel Lee Martin and Julie McQueen to join him to fish for brook trout and landlocked salmon at the Riverkeep, they get more than they bargained for, and their fly fishing skills are put to the test.
The adventure begins with an “emergency water landing” caused by a missing fuel cap, but the Brotherhood Outdoors crew’s nerves are instantly eased by a warm greeting from the Murray family right off the dock.
“They prepared a wonderful lunch for us, and we decided to fish some that afternoon,” said McQueen. “Steve was very kind and made us feel at home.”
After the crew settle in, Murray and his assistant guide, Keir, teach Martin and McQueen about the variety of fish found in the area and how to catch them all with different fly fishing techniques.
“The fishing was incredible, to put it lightly,” said McQueen.
“I’m proud to be part of the union brotherhood,” said Murray, who joined IBEW in New Hampshire while welding for the E.S. Boulos Co. “The union takes very good care of me, which takes very good care of my family.”
He also believes it is important to keep the kids involved in the outdoors, and what’s the best way to do that? Take them fishing, of course!
The Murray kids, Stephen and Lydia, share their father’s passion for the outdoors and help around the lodge by prepping meals and setting the tables.
Murray plans to keep the magic of the Riverkeep alive for generations by passing down traditions in the outdoors to his children.
He also ensures a passion for fishing and the outdoors remains alive at the Riverkeep by deeming it a catch and release lodge, “so there will be a great fishery for generations to come,” he explained.
If the world class fishing isn’t enough to keep the Brotherhood Outdoors crew in wonderment for days on this adventure, the amazing array of wildlife they spot, from caribou to black bears to bald eagles, definitely does the trick.
Join the co-hosts of Brotherhood Outdoors as show guest Steve Murray takes them to some of the best fishing holes in Labrador. Watch as Martin and McQueen attempt to catch all five species of fish ‘on the fly’ when they encounter pike, landlocked salmon, lake trout, brook trout and whitefish, and feel the excitement as they experience the wilds of Labrador in a big way.
Tune in to Brotherhood Outdoors on the Sportsman Channel. See Show Schedule.