Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference

Driftless Fly Fishing with TroutRoutes

Minimum Participants: 2
Maximum Participants: 4
Primary Contact: James Flatley, [email protected] 
Who can attend & Cost: 

• Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
• Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not Eligible
• Spouses/partners - Not Eligible

Start Location: Lobby of the Embassy Suites & Hilton Hotel
Lunch, Transportation, & gear provided

Spend a day on the famous trout water of the Driftless region of Wisconsin with TroutRoutes.

7am - Participants meet for breakfast in the hotel lobby
7:30am - Participants depart hotel for a full day of driftless fly fishing
9am - 12pm - Morning fishing
12pm - 1pm - Break for lunch
1pm - 4pm - Afternoon fishing
4pm - Depart river
6pm - Arrive back at hotel for dinner

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 8/1/2026

Pheasant Branch Conservancy Nature Walk

Minimum Participants:  4
Maximum Participants: 10
Primary Contact:  Visit Middleton, Mari Olson, [email protected] 
Who can attend & Cost: 

• Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
• Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not Eligible
• Spouses/partners - $0

Start Location: Monona Terrace Convention Center
Lunch & Transportation provided

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is more than 600 acres of protected prairie land and wooded areas, with the Pheasant Branch Creek flowing throughout and feeding Lake Mendota. Your guide, Tim Hansel, an education coordinator for the Friends of Pheasant Branch, will walk you through the prairie while sunflowers and other native grasses and forbs are in peak. You’ll also walk up to Frederick’s Hill to take in a beautiful vista of the conservancy. Along the way, you’ll meet the plant and animal species that make the rare native Wisconsin prairies so stunning.

AGENDA

9:30 a.m.: Shuttle pickup on Wilson Street, in front of Monona Terrace at 9 East Wilson Street, Madison. (BRING CREDENTIALS)

10 a.m. to noon: Pheasant Branch Conservancy is more than 600 acres of protected prairie land and wooded areas, with the Pheasant Branch Creek flowing throughout and feeding Lake Mendota. Your guide, Tim Hansel, an education coordinator for the Friends of Pheasant Branch, will walk you through the prairie while sunflowers and other native grasses and forbs are in peak. You’ll also walk up to Frederick’s Hill to take in a beautiful vista of the conservancy. Along the way, you’ll meet the plant and animal species that make the rare native Wisconsin prairies so stunning.

Noon: Load onto bus. Following the walk, the shuttle will take the group to Craftsman Table & Tap for lunch (also sponsored).

12:20 -2:30 p.m.: Lunch at Craftsman Table & Tap.

2:30 p.m.: After lunch, the shuttle will drive attendees back to Monona Terrace. Arrival at Monona Terrace, estimated 3 p.m. (Can depart earlier if all are ready.)

 *Pheasant Branch has a clear “keep to trail” policy in order to protect the revitalized prairie, but a certified guide has permission to take you off trail where they deem fit. You may ONLY leave the trail with your guide. Wear sensible shoes, sunscreen and bug repellent. Recommendations on what to bring: water bottle, binoculars, camera and shade hat.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 8/17/2026

Pre-Tour: Pedals & Parks

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 8/17/2026
Minimum Participants: 6
Maximum Participants:10
Primary Contact: BCYCLE / Kris Neilson / [email protected]
Who can attend & Cost: 

• Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
• Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not Eligible
• Spouses/partners - Not Eligible

Start Location: Lussier Family Heritage
Meals & Transportation: A shuttle will transport attendees from Monona Terrace to the Lussier Family Heritage Center. A light picnic lunch will be provided.

ITINERARY (subject to change)

Enjoy a scenic guided bike tour through Madison with BCYCLE, starting at Lussier Family Heritage Center. Riders will follow the Lower Yahara River Trail, taking in beautiful views along Lake Waubesa before continuing through McDaniel Park and Babcock County Park. This relaxing ride showcases some of the area’s most picturesque landscapes and trails.

Pre-Tour: Vortex Facility Tour

Minimum Participants: 1
Maximum Participants: 10
Primary Contact: Mickella Nofsinger, [email protected]
Who can attend & Cost: Free to all OWAA attendees
Transportation: Transportation is not provided by Vortex - attendees will need to drive or Uber to the facility

Get an exclusive behind‑the‑scenes look at Vortex Optics, one of the most respected names in outdoor optics. This guided 1.5‑hour tour takes you through their full facility, including the warehouse and indoor shooting range, offering a close-up view of how Vortex designs, builds, and tests its precision products.

Attendees will see the production process, learn about product development and quality control, and experience the culture that drives Vortex’s commitment to excellence.

It’s about 27–30 miles from the Monona Terrace Convention Center in downtown Madison to the Vortex Optics headquarters in Barneveld, WI. Transportation is simple — attendees can ride‑share or take an Uber directly to the facility.

This tour is open to all OWAA attendees.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 8/17/2026