2009 FFF Southern Council Nomination

Conservation Award

Dennis 'Wild Bear' Reed

The Northeast Arkansas Flyfishers would like to nominate Dennis ‘Wild Bear’ Reed as Conservationist of the Year. Bear has always been active in conservation efforts in Arkansas. He has participated in fin clippings, fish samplings, habitat restoration, and in speaking in favor and opposing various Game & Fish proposed regulations that he felt would help or hinder wildlife in the state. Several years ago he voiced his concern over allowing barbless treble hooks below Bull Shoals dam in the catch and release areas. When the Game and Fish Commission proposed using barbed treble hooks in all catch and release areas, Bear spoke out against it and even started a petition against it.

He was asked this spring to be a part of a task force with other clubs, conservation organizations, guides, etc. to voice concerns and work for solutions to the watersheds in the White river basin. Hopefully this will lead to solutions to some of the problems facing this area.

Bear was part of the committee to develop the Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro. This center is now the meeting place for the Northeast Arkansas Flyfishers. Through our club’s partnership with the nature center we have worked on many conservational and educational endeavors.

For these and many other things that Bear does, it our honor to nominate him for Southern Council Conservationist of the Year.

Nomination by Northeast Arkansas Flyfishers

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