DSA 2026 Meeting - June 24-28 in Hot Springs, Tennessee
Schedule of Events
Check back soon!
Field Trip Info
Wednesday 6/24: Max Patch and Harmon Den
This is a high elevation location with several beaver ponds, a human made pond and wetland and creeks. There are pond damselflies and skimmers at this location, possibly late Snaketails, but the best target at this location is Sable Clubtails which are generally gone by late June but at this location they are usually abundant at this point in the season.
Thursday 6/25: Paint Creek, Shelton Laurel and the French Broad
On Thursday we can make a morning trip to two locations to track down the elusive Mountain River Cruiser. In the evening we can take in the sunset scenery and watch the Stygian Shadowdragons over the French Broad.
Friday 6/26: Davis Branch
Davis Branch watershed along the French Broad is a rich unique watershed with a diversity of wetlands, ponds, river, and marshy meadow habitat.
Target species here include Tiger, Brown, and Twin-spotted Spiketails, Gray Petaltails, Ruby Meadowhawks, and both Swift and Allegheny River Cruisers, which will be cruising the French Broad. Blue-tipped, Dusky, and Blue-ringed Dancers, along with Appalachian and Ebony Jewelwings, are common along the river corridor. An assortment of skimmers, including Great Blue and Painted Skimmers, is also generally present. It is late for Sable, Green-faced, and Mustached Clubtails, but they are well known from the area and we may pick up some stragglers. Rapids Clubtails should still be flying, and Riverine Clubtails may be seen over the river. Special Damselflies from the area include Appalachian Jewelwings, Aurora Damsels and Eastern Red Damsel, and the rarely seen Furtive Forktail. Clamp-tipped Emeralds may be around too.
Saturday 6/27: Shelton Laurel Creek
After the business meeting on Saturday morning there will be an excellent opportunity for nymph hunting in the adjacent creek at the Laurel Community Center. Harpoon Clubtails, Piedmont Clubtails, Zebra and Laura's Clubtails, Allegheny and Mountain River Cruisers are usually on hand, to name a few.
Sunday 6/28: Greene County TN
Sunday might be a good day to chase some odes in Greene County, with Cherokee Clubtails chief on the list. Also, Southern Sprites are in the neighborhood. But there are other opportunities in the area we could turn to instead.
Meeting Registration - coming soon!
Check back for meeting registration details.
Abstract submission - coming soon!
T-shirt Info - coming soon!
Silent Auction Info - coming soon!
Genomic Sequencing Workshop - June 22-28
Local Information
Lodging
A locally owned booking agent for vacation rentals: https://www.hsgetaway.com
Things to do
The Hot Springs Tourism Association’s nonprofit website: https://www.hotspringsnc.org
Things to do in Hot Springs: https://www.hotspringsnc.org/things-to-do-in-hot-springs-nc
Madison County Tourism Development Authority’s website: https://visitmadisoncounty.com
A helpful Asheville-based site for regional info: https://www.romanticasheville.com