Winter fly-tying classes set in Richland Township

John Rucosky, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

Jan. 11—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout Unlimited is offering its annual fly-tying classes, and they are predicted to fill up.

"We had to turn a lot of people away (last year)," said former secretary Gary Cooper, who explained that there simply weren't enough tools for students to use.

The once-per-week classes run for five weeks at the Richland Township Municipal Building, 322 Schoolhouse Road in Johnstown, and students may choose to attend on either Saturday mornings (9 a.m. to noon), which begin Saturday and run to Feb. 10, or Monday nights (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.), which begin Monday and conclude Feb. 12. A snow day has been set for Feb.17.

The cold water conservation group's chapter serves Bedford, Cambria and Somerset counties, and currently has more than 400 members, who include veteran fly-tying instructors who are willing to share their knowledge.

Classes are for beginners, and all tools, materials and instruction are free. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 15, and with each class having up to six instructors, students should receive lots of personal instruction.

"It's enjoyable. It's fun, and it gives you something that doesn't require a whole bunch of physical skills. It just requires concentration and practice," Cooper said.

"We basically try to teach two different flies each week, so by the time the course is over they've had a chance to learn how to tie ten flies, but we're more concerned with teaching them the basic fundamentals rather than a specific pattern."

"Each fly teaches them how to do something they're going to need to tie flies for rest of their life, from putting the thread on the hook, to how to wind a body on a fly, and how to put wings on a particular fly. There are various skills required, and there are little tricks used to teach them," said Cooper.

Those interested must register by contacting him at 814-266-4763. Cooper said that the group is already planning to offer more advanced tying classes possibly next winter.