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The North Arkansas Fly Fishers’ (NAFF) annual Sowbug Roundup is officially up and running, with its first day behind it.
The admission price for all three days is $10, with admission being free for parents who bring children 12 or younger.
This year’s roundup features demonstrations, seminars, and free fly tying classes from over 100 tiers from around the country. While attending, guests can feel free to sit down at a fly fisherman’s table for one on one stories and tips—experience for those attending range from beginners to experts in the field.
The Sowbug Roundup includes food from Bookworm Café and live music from Rio Trio, who will perform at the invitation-only dinner for VIPs and special guests later on tonight. Free coffee is available for all attendees.
This year’s event features 20 vendors for guests to visit and shop with. NAFF will also be holding various giveaways and raffles throughout the Sowbug Roundup’s three days of fun. Children in attendance can expect to walk away with a prize for attending.
Special attendees for this year include Duane Hada, a local Mountain Home artist and famous fly tier and guide, and Dave Whitlock of Tahlequah, Okla., one of the world’s oldest and most knowledgeable fly fishermen.
NAFF has worked with Whitlock on some of their various charitable projects, such as designing the improvements to Dry Creek Run. This year, NAFF is establishing an endowment in honor of Whitlock to provide funding for future improvements and maintenance for Dry Creek Run.
Whitlock was a former resident of the Twin Lakes area some 15 years ago.
Sowbug Roundup schedule
Friday
Warm Water Fishing @ 9:30 a.m. with Chad Johnson – Johnson is one of the best known streamer guides in the area, and is set to share some of his secrets about fishing for bass and stripers. Visit cjswhiteriveroutfitter.com for more information.
Intermediate Fly Casting @ 9:30 a.m. with Lori Sloas’ – Sloas’s class is designed for the fly caster who wants work out the kinks in their equipment. Visit berrybrothersguides.com for more information.
Warm Water Fishing @ 11 a.m. with Dave and Emily Whitlock – The Whitlocks will be sharing their fly fishing experiences and are set to give advice on techniques for fly fishing for bass. Visit Davewhitlock.com or davewhitlock.com/about for more information.
Arkansas Game and Fish Update on AGFC Trout Fisheries @ 1 p.m. with Christy Graham – Graham will be giving a presentation on trout management for the White and North Fork Rivers on behalf of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Warm-Water Fly Fishing @ 1 p.m. with Dave and Emily Whitlock – The Whitlock’s will be holding a demonstration at McCabe Park located behind Ultimate Ford, 2448 US Hwy. 62/412
Fishing the Taneycomo Area @ 2:30 p.m. with Carolyn Parker – Parker will be sharing information on the special management area of Taneycomo. She will also be discussing access points, suggestions for patterns to fish, and what makes a great fishery. Visit riverrunoutfitters.com for more information.
Saturday
Warm-Water Fly Fishing in the Ozarks @ 9:30 a.m. with Duane Hada – Hada will be giving a run through of his techniques, flies and favorite warm fishing spots in the Ozarks. [email protected] for more information.
Youth Fly Fishing on Dry Run Creek @11 a.m. with John Berry and Lori Sloas – This happy duo will be sharing their experiences on guiding youths on Dry Creek Run. Visit berrybrothersguides.com for more information.
Fishing Tenkara on Dry Run Creek @1 p.m. with Steve Blumeich – Bluemic will be giving a presentation on how young kids and handicap adults can learn to use a tenkara rod to catch fish at Dry Creek Run. Visit friendsofthenortherivers.org and whiterivertu.com for more information.
Fly Casting for Beginners @ 1 p.m. with Lori Sloas – Sloa will lead a class designed for beginner to novice casters, including a simplified approach to fly casting to enable students to make a basic cast. Sloas will teach forming loops, tailing loops and the importance of stopping a rod. She will also talk about fly rod selection. Visit berrybrothersguides.com for more information.
