On March 19, 1897, the Maine legislature passed a bill requiring hunting guides to be licensed by the state. The very first of the 1,316 Maine Guides registered that year was Cornelia Thurza Crosby of Phillips, Maine. In fact, "Fly Rod" Crosby was a driving force behind the legislation, believing that wilderness guides should be uniformly trained, skilled, and knowledgeable in order to protect both the visitors in their care and the natural environment itself. Her activities and enthusiasm helped Fly Rod Crosby to become Maine's greatest environmental tourism ambassador. She made public appearances on behalf of the state and her column, "Fly Rod's Notebook," appeared in newspapers across the country. She died at age 92 and is buried at the Strong Village Cemetery in Strong, Maine.