Duane And Marlene Hada Fundraiser

[John Berry]

Duane Hada is a well known and respected local guide and outdoor artist. His wife Marlene is a school teacher and talented fly fisher in her own right. They have a precious daughter, McKenzie. I have personally known them for over twenty years. Their art gallery is four blocks from my home in down town Cotter. They are loving and generous people. I have not attended any fly fishing related fundraiser (such as Hooked on a Cure, Casting for Recovery, Southern Council Conclave or Sowbug Roundup) in the past two decades that did not include a Duane Hada print or donated guide trip in its auction. Duane has also shared his artistic gifts with others in the community. Whether it was designing the logo on the police cars in Cotter or teaching art at ASU to name a few, Duane was there.

This past year Marlene was severely stricken with advanced breast cancer. The treatment which included radical surgery, chemo therapy and radiation has left the family physically exhausted and financially strapped. The fly fishing community is now banding together to help one of its own. There is a grass roots organization of his many friends and colleagues that is developing a fund raiser to help provide some much needed monetary relief for Duane and Marlene. They are putting together a raffle of epic proportions.

The grand prize is something that should appeal to every angler, a guided fishing trip with Dave and Emily Whitlock on the White or Norfork Rivers. Dave is a living legend in fly fishing. He was one of the pioneering first fly fishers to discover the incredible fishery we have here in the White River. He is an international known author, lecturer, innovative fly tier, artist and teacher. Emily is also an internationally respected lecturer, teacher and conversationalist. They are nice people and a lot of fun to be with. A day with them would be the trip of a lifetime.

Two nights accommodations are provided at The White River Inn, a luxury bed and breakfast located high on a wooded ridge looking down on the White River. I have done a bit of guiding for them in the past and I can assure you that this is the nicest place to stay on the White River. In addition, a Sage fly rod, reel, and fly line of the winner’s choice are included. I recently acquired a Sage ZXL rod and have found it to be the best casting rod I have ever owned. If that is not enough to tempt the most jaded palate, they are throwing in a fly box containing one hundred flies tied by ten of the Ozarks top tiers.

It should be noted that, this is one of ten prizes with more coming in daily. Supreme Boats has donated a brand new boat and trailer. There is an original framed piece of Duane Hada art and guided fishing trips with area guides complete with lodging. There are Simms G3 waders (these are the waders favored by local guides like John Wilson and myself) and a Simms G3 jacket. There are other items too numerous to mention in this article. I want to point out that all of this stuff was donated and that all proceeds will go to Duane and Marlene.

The raffle tickets are only twenty dollars each or six for one hundred dollars. The roll out for the fund raising campaign will be at the Sowbug Roundup this week. The tickets will be on sale there or you can just make a direct donation. Tickets will also be for sale and donations can be made at Blue Ribbon Fly Shop, Mountain River Fly Shop and the Woodsman Fly Shop in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In addition, you will be able to purchase tickets or make donations on John Wilson’s web site, http://www.flyfishingarkansas.com . This is your chance to do something good for some people that have made a difference in this community.

John Berry is a fly fishing guide in Cotter, Arkansas and has fished the local streams for over twenty five years.

[zander]

I can't find the link to buy tickets on John wilson's site. Is it my understanding we will be able to do this after this weekend?

[John Berry]

They are setting up the paypal account now. I will post on this forum when it is available.

[Phil Lilley]

John- find out if there's an address where someone can send a check. I'd rather not give 4% to paypal if I can help it.

Thanks for posting this. While I don't know Duane, I appreciate what he's done.

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Ditto for me. I'd rather have the address and send the money. Thanks for posting and please keep us updated on the progress.

John

[John Berry]

This is all happening real fast. They are setting up a seperate bank account and I will post that as soon as I find out. I should meet with the committee tomorrow.

[Phil Lilley]

MARLENE HADA BENEFIT TICKETS:

Direct Cash Donations: Twin Lakes Community Bank

PO Box 1229

Flippin , Arkansas 72634

Attn:Marlene Hada Benefit Account

Visa , Master Charge , Discover BY PHONE ONLY 870-435-6166

TICKETS By Mail or Phone :personal checks or money orders:

ALL CHECKS MADE TO: MARLENE HADA BENEFIT

TICKET PRICES ARE: $20.00 each or 6 for $100.00

BY MAIL or PHONE:

Don Schaap

Shelter Insurance

1122 S.Waldron Rd

Fort Smith , Ark 72903

Attn: Marlene Hada Benefit

479-452-1031 or 479-461-2600

TICKETS Physical Locations

Sowbug Event

Mountain River Flyshop Booth

Hada Benefit Table

Mountain Home , Arkansas

The Woodsman

Central Mall

Fort Smith , Arkansas

Mountain River Flyshop

1200 West Main#7

Cotter, Arkansas 72626

870-435-6166

The Tackle Box

3001 South Zero Street

Fort Smith , Arkansas 72901

Blue Ribbon Flies

1343 HWY 5 South

Mountain Home , Arkansas 72653

870-425-0447

McLellans Fly Shop

18 West Sunbridge

Fayetteville, Arkansas,72703

479-251-7037