2007 FFF Southern Council Nomination

Junior Fly Tyer of the Year

Dakota Elliott

Nomination For 2007 Junior Fly Tyer of the Year

Dakota Elliott, Age 9, Member of the Northeast Arkansas Flyfishers

Dakota moved to Jonesboro to live with his grandfather and grandmother this past year. He went flyfishing with his grandfather and watched him tie flies. With a few tries he was able to tie some flies of his own. During the year he attended NEAFF meetings and activities as well as the North Arkansas Fly Fishers' Sowbug Roundup.

At the Sow Bug, Dakota really caught the bug to tie flies. (No pun intended)

He attended lectures and talked with many fly tyers whenever he had the chance. Dakota would watch the tyers at the NEAFF monthly Fly Tyers' Roundtable and then mimicked their styles. He was absorbing everything like a sponge.

Besides being able to tie many different flies, he became interested in what the flies represented in the life of the fish. He began studying entomology by reading books and talking with experienced fly fishers. Soon he could describe the differences in terrestrials, dry flies, nymphs and midges. While he was interested in other insects, his major concern was with insects related to fly fishing.

When his local school announced the upcoming annual science fair he saw this as a chance to develop an "Entomology and Fishing" project. The focus of the project included a graphic of the life cycle of the caddis fly with descriptions of each of the stages. He included flies he tied for each of the stages as well as other flies representing other insects which attract fish. This was finished with a painted clay replica he made of a respectable trout he caught and photographed on Dry Run Creek. Although this was given praise by his teachers and peers, the project did not win an award from his school. However, the judges provided an evaluation which he used to find ways for improving the project's presentation.

When the State Wide Elementary Science Fair was held at Arkansas State University May 5, 2007, he submitted the improved "Entomology and Fishing". This time the judges awarded him the third place prize. Needless to say, this has increased his interest in entomology and the water quality necessary for invertebrate life. Along the way he has made an impact on his peers' awareness.

Submitted by the Northeast Arkansas Flyfishers with the approval of grandfather (legal guardian) Louis Semrau, a NEAFF and FFF member.

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