Bull Shoals Mural Honors Dave Whitlock 

BULL SHOALS — Dave Whitlock deserves all the recognition he receives as a fly-fishing teacher, artist, author, innovator and so much more.

The next time you’re driving through Bull Shoals, take time to visit a mural featuring Whitlock. It was unveiled March 26 on the west side of Wishes & Fishes Fly Shop, 627 Central Blvd. The store, owned by Jim and Debbie Trailor, can be reached at 870-445-3848.

Artist Duane Hada of Rivertown Gallery in Mountain Home created the mural, which features Whitlock releasing a trout below Bull Shoals Dam. Private donations from more than a dozen fly-fishing groups and individuals paid for the work; they are listed on a plaque with the mural, which is constructed on panels in case it ever needs to be moved.

Whitlock, who died Nov. 23, 2022, at 88, was one of the founders of Arkansas Fly Fishers. He was inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame in 1995, and was considered one of the pillars of fly-fishing, not only regionally but around the world. Whitlock was one of the developers of the Whitlock-Vibert Box System, used to incubate trout eggs in flowing water. He was born Nov. 11, 1934, in Muscogee, Oklahoma, and lived with his wife, Emily, near Mountain Home for more than 40 years.

Hada spoke during the unveiling about how much Whitlock did for trout propagation, fly-fishing and helping people learn to fish. He signed the mural with his name and “A Dear Friend.” Emily Whitlock thanked Hada and the sponsors for the mural, and talked about how much she and Dave enjoyed living, fishing and working in northern Arkansas.

To learn more about Whitlock, his books and his artwork, visit davewhitlock.com.

####

CUTLINES:

MURAL
Duane Hada created this mural featuring Dave Whitlock on Central Boulevard in Bull Shoals. Photo courtesy of Cheri McKelvey.