2014 SOWBUG ROUNDUP

Ok it is almost official. I am the world’s worst blogger. Actually, I don’t think the content of my blogs is that bad, but I seem to forget the write the dang things. Just today I was looking at a friend of mines blog and realized that I needed to get off my rear and write. 

By the way, my friend Michael Lack’s blog is www.BugCrafters.net and he has some pretty cool stuff. Check it out.

So Now for the 2014 Sowbug Roundup Report

I have been tying at the Sowbug for the last 5 years and this year was the largest by far. I am not sure if it had to do with the fact that it was one of the first really nice weekend of the spring or that the Army Corp of Engineers ran water from both Bull Shoals and Norfork dams all weekend and nobody had anything else to do like FISH. The great thing about the Sowbug is that you get to see so many of your friends and fellow tiers.

I got to hang out and tie with master fly tier, movie buff, tailgate gourmet, and all around crazy guy, Don Lawler from the bayou county of Louisiana. I found it incredibly hard to concentrate on tying because I was laughing so hard. Don is single handedly bringing the art of tailgating to the Sowbug. There is nothing like a bunch of fly fishers sitting in the parking lot drinking beer and Apple Pie at noon.

Boot Pierce and Don Lawler tying at the 2014 Sowbug Roundup

Lou showed me around the town and all the really good places to eat. Especially, the Pizza place called Nima’s in Gassville, AR. Wow, that was some really good pizza and according to the wall the best in the country. 

Lou tying at Sowbug

 

Nima's Supreme. YUM! YUM!

I even tried to fish one afternoon, but the water was so high it was more like just skirting along the edge. Did however see evidence of the fisheries managerss nemesis DIDYMO. It was the first time I had ever seen it. Nasty stuff and I can now see why it can ruin a fishery. 

DIDYMO! YUK!

And finally a photo of me tying. Michael seems to be amazed that I used my little finger rather than a thread holder. I don't know. It just seems natural.

Enjoy,
Boot

P.S. Thanks Micheal for motivating me to write something.

2011 Sowbug Roundup a big success.

The 2011 Sowbug Roundup was a blast. If you didn’t make it you should try next year. I tied Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Just like I expected I was tying one of the “simple” flies. Sitting right behind me was Mike George and Royce Dam. Across from me were Terry Tanner and Terry Wilson. They are for sure four of the bigger names in fly tying right now. If you have never seen any of their work check it out on the Internet. It is well worth it. Terry was the 2010 Fly Tier of the year for the Southern Council and Mike George was the 2004 and 2009. Mike also won the open class of the 2010 Mustad Scandinavian Open Fly Tying Competition.  Hope you enjoy the photos.

The people at these fly tying events are so nice. You can sit down in front of them and they will explain every move they are making. I ended up giving away about 35 flies to people walking around. I know that doesn't sound like many, but I only tied for 4 hours each day and was explaining each step in the process as I went. Some people like Mike George tied for 8 hours and I noticed he only finished 1 fly. His hairbugs are a bit more complex that the BUB.

Terry Tanner showing off his Wolly Headed Sculpin

Mike George tying one of his hair bugs

Never seen Royce Dam without his hat

Terry Wilson

Okay so last is me whipping up a BUB fly.

 

SOWBUG ROUNDUP 2011

A Celebration of Fly Fishing

March 17, 18, 19,  2011

Mountain Home, Arkansas

Sowbug Homepage

Imagine three days and a big convention center with some of the greatest fly tiers from around the Midwest. Typically, there are 45 to 50 great tiers at any one time. There are some great tiers like Mike George, Terry Tanner, and Royce Dam going to be there.

About a year ago while tying at the Tri-Lakes Expo I received an invitation from Tony Spezio to come down and tie on Friday evening and Saturday morning. It is quite an honor since I never considered myself to be a really good tier. I hope that if you have time and the weekend free you can come down to Mountain Home and join the fun. I will need all the support I can get. This is my first time tying at the SOWBUG Roundup and I feel like a freshman kid walking into high school for the first time. LOL