2026 Iowa State Fair Fly Tying Competition Results
By James Barnhart
The fly-tying competition was held at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. This competition has been developed and sponsored by the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association (HFFA) with support of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). There were 16 entrants with 52 flies entered into the competition from across the state. There were 3 entrants in the junior division (ranging in age from 4 years to 7 years), 10 in the adult division, and 3 in the expert division. There are four categories; dry flies, wet/nymph flies, streamer flies, and open. There are 3 divisions (Expert, Adult and Junior).
This year’s judges were Joe Wedum (Des Moines), Paul Domoto (Ames) and Lee Schulties (Perry). The judging took place at the State Fair on Wednesday, August 12th.
The flies were on display in the DNR building on the fairgrounds during the entire fair.
Fly Tying Competition Results
Iowa State Fair 2026
Junior Division
Dry Fly Category
1st Place No entry
2nd Place No Entry
3rd Place No entry
Wet Fly/Nymph
1st Place Maverick Mendick Spikey Moulton
2nd Place Magnolia Mendick Unicorn Moulton
3rd Place No entry
Open Category
1st Place Maverick Mendick Red White & Blue Moulton
2nd Place No entry
3rd Place No entry
Streamer Category
1st Place Marky Mendick Last Cast Moulton
2nd Place Magnolia Mendick Mermaid Moulton
3rd Place Maverick Mendick American Bulldog Moulton
Adult Division
Dry Fly Category
1st Place Tom Donnelly Red Quill Cedar Rapids
2nd Place Ray Corry Lime Trude North Liberty
3rd Place Andy Hunsinger Foam Cicada Pella
Wet Fly/Nymph Category
1st Place Thomas Polehna Crackles Cedar Rapids
2nd Place Andy Hunsinger Crimson Copper Brassie Pella
3rd Place Tom Donnelly Royal Coachman Wet Fly Cedar Rapids
Open Category
1st Place Andy Hunsinger Pearl & Peacock Futsu (Tenkara) Pella
2nd Place Ray Corry Whitlock’s Near-Nuff Sculpin North Liberty
3rd Place Kevin McVey Spirits Hope Ankeny
Streamer Category
1st Place Ray Corry Clouser Minnow North Liberty
2nd Place Andy Hunsinger Hawkey Super Bugger Pella
3rd Place Thomas Polehna Chillin Villian Cedar Rapids
Expert Division
Dry Fly Category
1st Place Jeff Moore Biot Parachute Adams Cedar Rapids
2nd Place Mark Smothers Gray Ugly Peosta
3rd Place Mike Jacobs Chubby Chernobyl Monticello
Wet Fly/Nymph Category
1st Place Jeff Moore Captive Dun Cedar Rapids
2nd Place Mark Smothers Beadhead Soft Hackle Peosta
3rd Place Mike Jacobs Duracell Monticello
Open Category
1st Place Jeff Moore Seven Layer Frog Cedar Rapids
2nd Place Mike Jacobs Ol’ Mister Wiggly Monticello
3rd Place Mark Smothers Crappie Catcher Peosta
Streamer Category
1st Place Jeff Moore Carrie Stevens “Larry” Cedar Rapids
2nd Place Mike Jacobs Barteaux Minnow Monticello
3rd Place Mark Smothers Black Nosed Dace Peosta
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Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association (HFFA) holds events and provides resources for people interested in fly fishing, fly tying and fish habitat conservation. We are an Iowa-based affiliate of Fly Fishers International.
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