The Iowa State Fair Fly Tying Contest flies were judged on Wednesday August 9, 2023. The judges were Paul Domoto, Keith Wunder, and Dave Rosset. The results are shown below. Thanks to all who entered. The quality of all the flies was very good.
Junior Division
Dry Fly Category
1st Place Josiah Cornelder Griffiths Gnat Des Moines
2nd Place Ledger Smith Miss Midge Chariton
3rd Place Cruz Coorough Ant North Liberty
Wet Fly/Nymph
1st Place Josiah Cornelder Black Beauty Des Moines
2nd Place Ledger Smith The Shaggy Maggy Chariton
3rd Place Marky Mendick Orange Crush Moulton
Open Category
1st Place Josiah Cornelder Matt’s Bluegill Fly Des Moines
2nd Place Cosette Coorough Marabou Jig North Liberty
3rd Place Ledger Smith The Golden Guinea Chariton
Streamer Category
1st Place Josiah Cornelder Mickey Finn Des Moines
2nd Place Ledger Smith The Bucktail Bass Chariton
3rd Place Maverick Mendick Bob Moulton
Adult Division
Dry Fly Category
1st Place Ray Corry Hornberg North Liberty
2nd Place Andy Hunsinger Blue Wing Olive Kink Pella
Wet Fly/Nymph Category
1st Place Mark McConnell Beadhead Halfback #12 Pella
2nd Place Ray Corry Clouser Crayfish North Liberty
3rd Place Andy Hunsinger Euro Copper John Pella
Open Category
1st Place Andy Hunsinger Scud Bomb Pella
2nd Place Ray Corry Joe’s Hopper North Liberty
3rd Place Tom Polehna Orange Streamer Cedar Rapids
Streamer Category
1st Place Tom Polehna Bob’s Pink Lady Cedar Rapids
2nd Place Mark McConnell Goldilocks Squirrel Leech #10 Pella
3rd Place Andy Hunsinger Shovelhead Sculpin Pella
Expert Division
Dry Fly Category
1st Place Mark Smothers Flying Ant Peosta
2nd Place Larry Niday Dark Hendrickson Knoxville
Wet Fly/Nymph Category
1st Place Larry Niday Free Style Knoxville
2nd Place Mike Jacobs Blowtorch Monticello
3rd Place James Barnhart Royal Coachman Indianola
Open Category
1st Place James Barnhart Deer Hair Popping Bug Indianola
2nd Place Mike Jacobs Fishmask Murdich Minnow Monticello
3rd Place CJ Klenske Candy Hopper Dubuque
Streamer Category
1st Place CJ Klenske Slumpbuster Black Dubuque
2nd Place James Barnhart Saylor Shad Indianola
3rd Place Mark Smothers Matuka Badger & Black Peosta