THE SOWBUG ROUNDUP FLY TYING CONTEST IS ON THE WAY BY JOHN BERRY

As many of you know, the Sowbug Roundup is the biggest, most respected fly tying show in the Southeast and one of the most important fly tying shows in the United States. It draws tyers from all over the country and several other countries. It is sponsored by the North Arkansas Fly Fishers (our local fly fishing club) and the proceeds are used for local scholarships and other educational projects. It is scheduled for March 23, 24 and 25, 2017 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds.

I am a member of the Sowbug Roundup Committee and my job is to put on the fly tying contest. The idea is to recognize the best tyers among us. Many times, there are great tyers out there that we just do not know about. This is a great way, for those tyers, to be recognized. I received the first submission to the Sowbug Roundup Fly Tying Contest this week.

If you have been thinking about entering, then you need to get moving. Though the Sowbug Roundup is in late March, the deadline for submitting entries to the Fly Tying Contest is February, 15 2017.  The deadline is several weeks before the show because we need time to judge the flies and pick the winners. We also need time to take the winning flies and have a fly plate made to be auctioned off at the shindig on March, 24 2017. The shindig is a party to thank our fly tyers on the Fridaynight at the Sowbug Roundup. It is a festive affair.

 You definitely need to get started now because the entry must be postmarked no later than February, 15 2017. You should mail your entries to me, John Berry, at 408 Combs Ave. Cotter, AR 72626. If you would prefer to hand deliver them, drop them off at Blue Ribbon Fly Shop at 1343 East 9^th Street Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653.

You need to tie two identical flies (same size, color and shape) and submit them along with tying instructions. You must tie the flies yourself. They cannot be purchased. You cannot use any insect parts to tie the fly. The flies must be in one of the following categories, dry fly, nymph, wet fly, streamer, warm water, smallmouth bass, bass, saltwater, and salmon/steelhead. We will award a winner in each category and a best in show. You can enter as many categories as you like. You can win in multiple categories. There is no fee for entry.

The winners will receive a plaque commemorating their victory. This is the ultimate accessory to hang above your fly tying desk. My only regret is that as a member of the fly tying contest committee I am ineligible to compete.

You still have a month to tie your flies and get them to me. You cannot win if you do not enter!