FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Northwest Arkansas Trout Unlimited is celebrating a major milestone this year, its 40th annual banquet. But this is more than just a birthday party. It is a night built around conservation, community, and investing in the next generation of anglers who will one day inherit the Beaver tailwaters.

If you love fishing, clean water, or simply want your kids and grandkids to have the same outdoor opportunities you grew up with, this event is for you.

The 40th NWA Trout Unlimited Banquet takes place February 28th, with doors opening at 5 p.m. at the Fayetteville Town Center. Parking is free in the garage, and tickets can be purchased here.

The evening includes:

• Prime rib dinner

• Silent and live auctions

• Raffles

• Live music

• Swag and exclusive wildlife prints featuring trout from the Beaver tailwaters

Longtime outdoors voice and frequent 5OUTDOORS guest Trey Reid will serve as emcee for the evening, and Arkansas Game and Fish will also have a presence at the event.

At the heart of the banquet is Trout Camp, a completely free experience for kids.

A typical day starts early on the water. The Corps of Engineers reduces generation so campers can safely fish the Beaver tailwaters. From there, the day unfolds with fly tying, survival skills, swimming, conservation education, and time spent with partner organizations like the Beaver Watershed Alliance.

The goal is simple. Get kids on the water early. Let them experience it. Teach them why it matters. When young anglers understand the resource, they are far more likely to protect it for decades to come.

The Beaver tailwaters have faced recent setbacks. Flooding, hatchery impacts, and regulatory challenges have taken a toll on trout populations.

For local guides, this has meant real economic strain. Many clients expect to take fish home, and changing regulations or lower numbers can directly impact bookings and livelihoods.

It takes years to grow trophy trout. Losing larger fish is not just a biological setback, it affects tourism and the identity of the fishery itself.

That is why conservation efforts, education programs, and long-term investment matter now more than ever.

The banquet is not just about raising dollars. It is about raising awareness and building community around a shared goal: healthy water and sustainable fisheries in Northwest Arkansas.

If you have ever stood knee deep in cold, clear water below Beaver Dam, watched a mayfly hatch at sunset, or felt the thump of a trout on the line, you already understand what is at stake.