
Build Your Own Bugs
Each winter, we run a beginner's fly tying class at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center. If you’ve never tied a fly in your life—or you’ve tried but want to improve and need help—this class is for you.
You’ll get hands-on instruction, all the tools and materials you need, and one-on-one help from experienced tiers who actually know what they’re doing. It’s relaxed, fun, and you’ll walk away with real skills (not to mention a decent selection of some of the most iconic flies found in every serious angler's fly box).
This class is limited to 20 students and sells out quickly each year. Register today!

A vibrant red marabou leech fly for fly fishing, featuring a soft, flowing tail made of marabou feathers, designed to mimic the realistic movement of leeches or baitfish in freshwater and saltwater environments.

A traditional soft hackle fly for trout fishing, showcasing a minimalist design with a sparse body and swept-back hackle fibers to imitate emerging insects like mayflies or caddisflies.

A Griffith's Gnat dry fly, expertly tied with a fine hackle and peacock herl body to mimic tiny midges or gnats on the water's surface, making it a go-to pattern for trout fishing during hatches in calm streams or still waters.

A vibrant red marabou leech fly for fly fishing, featuring a soft, flowing tail made of marabou feathers, designed to mimic the realistic movement of leeches or baitfish in freshwater and saltwater environments.
What you'll learn...
Over six hands-on sessions, we’ll teach you how to tie flies that actually catch fish. No experience? No problem. We start with the basics—how to hold your tools, wrap thread, and work with materials—and build from there. You’ll get one-on-one guidance in a relaxed, small-group setting. All the gear and materials are provided, so you can just show up and start tying. You’ll learn a mix of beginner and intermediate patterns that cover a wide range of fishing situations in both moving water (rivers, creeks) and stillwater (lakes, ponds). These patterns were chosen because they’re proven producers across Washington and beyond—just ask any local shop. Here’s what you’ll be tying… San Juan Worm Mimics aquatic worms that get washed into the water during high flows—simple, effective, and always a good fallback when nothing else is working. Bead Head Caddis Larva Caddisflies are one of the most common aquatic insects. This version sinks fast and is deadly on trout in rivers and lakes. Woolly Bugger The Swiss Army knife of flies. It can imitate a leech, baitfish, or big nymph—and it flat-out works. Mohair Leech Especially useful in stillwater, this buggy pattern pulsates in the water and gets eaten by everything from trout to bass. Classic Soft Hackle A timeless pattern that imitates emerging insects. The soft, flowing fibers breathe life into your fly with every twitch. Griffith’s Gnat Great during midge hatches or when fish are sipping small stuff on the surface. Simple, delicate, and surprisingly deadly. Pheasant Tail Nymph A mayfly nymph imitation that belongs in every fly box. It’s a go-to pattern year-round, especially in freestone streams. Foam Beetle This terrestrial fly floats like a cork and gets crushed when fish are keyed in on bugs falling from overhanging trees. …plus one or two surprises! We often throw in a bonus pattern or two depending on the group and local conditions. By the end of the class, you won’t just know how to tie—you’ll understand why each pattern works, when to fish it, and how to tweak it to make it your own.
Why join us?

Meet your instructor: John Wendt
With over 20 years of experience in fly fishing and fly tying, John is an FFI award-winning instructor who brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to our classes. He is a dedicated fly fisherman and fly tying enthusiast who has honed his skills on the waters of the Pacific Northwest. This makes him an expert in local fishing conditions.
Passionate about sustainable fishing and conservation, John will teach you techniques that respect the environment while boosting your angling success.
2026 Class Details
Save your spot today!
For $50, you get six weeks of instruction and everything you need to start tying with confidence.
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Tools, vise, and materials provided
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Learn proven Pacific Northwest patterns
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One-on-one help in a relaxed, small-group setting
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Beginner-friendly, step-by-step guidance
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Walk away with finished flies and real skills
When you click Register, you’ll be securely redirected to Square to complete your payment. If you have any questions or run into issues signing up, just contact us — we’re here to help.
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