The 2024 Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association (HFFA) Annual Meeting & Show was a remarkable success, drawing fly fishing enthusiasts from across Iowa and beyond to the Hyatt Regency in Coralville from February 16-18. Even Mother Nature lent a hand with blue skies and clear roads. The three-day event featured an outstanding lineup of expert […]

Ronda Long, HFFA workday coordinator and Dan Kirby, biologist with IDNR set up a combined effort to remove vegetation from a section of Big Mill Creek near Bellevue, Iowa that had major restoration several years ago. On September 30, 2023 a persistent group of HFFA members and other volunteers armed with loppers and sturdy gloves,

Iowa Casting for Recovery retreat was held October 6-8, 2023 at Strawberry Point.  This is a nationwide free retreat for breast cancer survivors introducing them to each other and nature through the therapeutic sport of fly fishing.  The retreats are open to women with breast cancer of all ages, in all stages of treatment and

The Dubuque Fly Fishers (DFF) is a chapter of the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association.  DFF promotes fly fishing, fly tying, conservation, and fellowship.  DFF meets twice monthly, from late summer to spring, at 6 p.m., at the Swiss Valley Nature Center, 13606 Swiss Valley Road, Dubuque, Iowa. 2nd Monday, September to May – Presentations, club

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   

Public access to Waterloo Creek below Bee Bridge is no more. Larry Murphy and I were there today and watched the DNR put up the sign. According to the DNR, two fly fishermen had parked their truck blocking the land owner access. When he went and asked them if they would move the truck so he

Ten years!  That’s how long HFFA and the Iowa DNR have been co-sponsors of the Iowa State Fair Fly-Tying Competition.  My involvement started at the beginning helping Larry Murphy set up the display in the DNR Building.  Then took over the responsibility as one of the three judges.  During that time, I’ve look at and

The 2023 HFFA Bluegill Outing will be May 20 & 21 2023 at Lake Wapello State Park, just west of Drakesville, Iowa.  This is a informal gathering of friends that like to catch and eat Bluegills and Crappie.  There will be a fish fry and potluck at noon on Saturday the 20th.  Please bring an

I can’t say enough about the quality of our show committee. Their dedication to planning and overall execution really brought a positive change to our annual event. The committee even provided me with some comments from the weekend, participation data, and other miscellaneous information to help recap for those that did not attend this year.

The results of the 2022 Iowa State Fair Fly Tying Competition sponsored by Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association  are in.  Many great looking flies were entered.  This marks the 10th anniversary of this competition.  Thanks to all that participated.  Thanks also to our judges.  Plan on entering next year! Fly Tying Competition Results Iowa State Fair