Heartland Fly Fishing Festival

I really haven't been active recently.  This show was quite a few months ago, and I'm just now getting around to writing about it.  I'm currently so busy with track and my senior year, and the weather has pushed fishing to the backseat.

This year, the Heartland Fly Fishing Festival was excellent and very well organized. There were plenty of interesting booths, including the local Orvis and Moving Water Outfitters, our local fly shop.

I was lucky enough to get a table as a tier for Project Healing Waters.  I taught kids and others willing to learn how to tie some flies.  

We tied mostly terrestrials like Chernobyl ants, hoppers, and foam spiders.  The highlight of the day was teaching this man and his daughter to tie.  He let her select the materials for her foam spider, and every one was pink or purple.  A fun fly for sure, and the bluegill will certainly eat them up later this spring during the spawn.







There was also a casting competition to win a rod later at the show.  I did not enter, but it looked very difficult.  Participants had to put a fly through an elevated hula hoop, roll cast for distance, and put a cast inside a hoop with the line outside of one of two cones.  (A curve cast drill).  Very difficult drills I doubt I could have done.  I should start working on my casting.

I also received some information from a guide friend and a Trout Unlimited Chapter on fishing opportunities next year when I am at college.  BIG announcement coming ahead!  I'm very ready for next year and all the adventures it'll bring.

This show was just as good as last year, although a little sparse due to the wintry weather.  I enjoyed my time tying there and meeting new people.

I already have some exciting news and great fishing updates from the spring season.  This year is already off to a great start!