Beginners Fly Tying Class
PPTU is pleased to announce that we will be holding a "Beginners Fly Tying Class" for 2024.
Classes are slated to start on Tuesday, February 20th and run for 6 weeks, so the last class would be March 26th. This is a great opportunity to beat the winter blues and learn how to tie your own flies from our own resident expert and teacher, Bob Dietz.
Even if you know how to tie, this a good refresher class and additionally, an opportunity to get out and tie some flies with friends for a couple of weeks in preparation for a New Year of fishing. Classes will be held every Tuesday night from 7pm-9pm for 6 consecutive weeks in Landover, MD. Cost for the class is $100.
Participants will be required to supply there own tools, but may wish to wait until after the first class before purchasing any if they don't already own them. If you're unsure about making the purchase, we'll have a spare tying vice and tools on hand for you to use during class. Materials for tying each fly will be provided to every student. This is a fun and very informative class.
Sign Up: If you’re interested in signing up, please contact Bob Dietz at:
Additional class details will be emailed to all students.
Syllabus for PPTU Fly Tying Class 2024
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Patterns to be tied in ALL CAPS:
Week 1: Discussions of tools required; discussion of hooks and threads; the jam knot and the whip finish: GREEN WEENIE, SAN JUAN WORM
Week 2: A few larger flies: WOOLY BUGGER, MARABOU STREAMER
Week 3: Easy wet flies: PARTRIDGE AND ORANGE, BROWN HACKLE
Week 4: Nymphs: PHEASANT TAIL, HARE'S EAR, PRINCE*
Week 5: Easy dry flies: RENEGADE, GRIFFITH'S GNAT, CDC & ELK*
Week 6: Dry flies : ADAMS, PARACHUTE SULFUR, ELK HAIR CADDIS*
* If time permits
Monthly Beer Tie Sessions
Our monthly Fly Tying Sessions the 2nd Monday of the month are on hold until we find a new location. Old Line Fine Wine, Spirits & Bistro has changed ownership so we can no longer meet there. They have also been delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Fly Tying Skills
From time to time information on fly tying will be published here. The information will consist of articles on fly tying techniques and patterns--all generated by members and friends of the Potomac-Patuxant Chaper of Trout Unlimited.
Fly Patterns from the January 2024 Fly Tying Demonstrations
- Frenchie Nymphs tied by Bob Kaiser
- Euro Nymphing Minnow and Belly Scratcher Minnow tied by Carson Wargo
- Purple Bullet Perdigon tied by Mike Slepesky
- Pete's March Brown Parachute and Pete's Freshwater Deceiver tied by Pete Yarrington
Fly Patterns from the January 2023 Tying Demonstations
- Sex Dungeon tied by Sean Beck
- Grouse and Herl tied by Bob Dietz
- Blue Wing Olive Soft Hackle tied by Bob Kaiser
- Blow Torch and Tasmanian Devil tied by Mike Slepesky
- Flash Back Hares Ear and Parachute Adams tied by Pete Yarrington
Get ready for the 2021 Cicada Hatch
- Sheppard's Brood X 2021 Cicada tied by Matt O'Neal
- Jay Sheppard discusses and Matt O'Neal ties Jay's cicada pattern March 10, 2021 virtual presentation
- The Cidadas are Coming!!! by Jay Sheppard (PDF format, 1.4 MB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2020 Tying Demonstrations
- Jay Sheppard's Patuxent Special tied by Carson Wargo (PDF format, 1.1 MB)
- Lively Legs Pheasant Tail Nymph by Carson Wargo (PDF Format, 22KB)
- Parachute Adams Variation by Raymond Collette (PDF Format, 22KB)
- Softshell Crayfish Fly by Pete Yarington (PDF Format, 1.5MB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2019 Tying Demonstrations
- Squirmy Worm, Mop , & Feather Game Changer by Sean Beck (PDF Format, 160KB)
- Stimulator or Improved Soft Pillow by Raymond Collette (PDF Format, 713KB)
- CDC and Elk by Bob Dietz (PDF Format, 72KB)
- Tandem Flash Monkey by Morgan Eddy (PDF Format, 407KB)
- Clouser's Foxee Redd Minnow by Walt Sheppard (PDF Format, 67KB)
Fly Patterns from the April 2018 Tying Demonstrations
- Single Guinea Fowl wet fly by Marc Hutzell (PDF format, 435KB)
- Mike's Universal Indicator Fly by Mike Abramowitz (PDF format, 94KB)
- Zelon Musk Midge by Bob O'Donnell (PDF format, 169KB)
- Wet Ant by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 81KB)
- Black Nosed Dace by Walt Sheppard (PDF format, 175KB)
- Flying Squirrel Nymph by Lee Barbee (PDF format, 318KB)
- October Caddis Soft Hackle by Chuck Dinkell (PDF format, 60KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2017 Tying Demonstrations
- Sawyers Killer Bug by Marc Hutzell (PDF format, 112KB)
- Shop Vac by Bob O'Donnell (PDF format, 337KB)
- Perdigon Spanish Nymph by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 454KB)
- Gurgler by Walt Sheppard (PDF format, 118KB)
- Parachute Adams Wonder Wing Style by James Harris (PDF format, 99KB)
- Lightning Bug by Chuck Dinkell (PDF format, 205KB)
- Grey Ghost by Jed Fedder (PDF format, 295KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2016 Tying Demonstrations
- Hornberg by Mike Abramowitz (PDF format, 247 KB)
- Rainbow Warrior by Gene Cyprych (PDF format, 25 KB)
- Dark Watchet by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 71 KB)
- Shelf Liner Ant by Chuck Dinkel (PDF format, 285 KB)
- Hairwing Caddis by Charlie Gelso (PDF format, 204 KB)
- Henryville Special by Charlie Gelso (PDF format, 251 KB)
- Simple Three Hackle by Charlie Gelso (PDF format, 231 KB)
- Bead Head Brassie by Marc Hutzell (PDF format, 270 KB)
- Soft Hackle Streamer by Bob O'Donnell (PDF format, 504 KB)
- Patuxent Special version 9 by Jay Sheppard (PDF format, 1.1 MB)
- Mylar Shad Fly by Walt Sheppard (PDF format, 220 KB)
- Walt's Worm and Variants by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 479 KB)
Fly Patterns from the February 2015 Tying Demonstrations
- Dorato Hare's Ear by Alan Burrows (PDF format, 275 KB)
- Bullet Head Darter by Joe Bruce (PDF format, 520 KB)
- Woolly Buggers by Gene Cyprych (PDF format, 147 KB)
- Lime Trude by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 255 KB)
- Sulphur Mayfly Comparaduns by Jim Greco (PDD format, 90 KB)
- Cased Caddis by Bob O'Donnell (PDF format, 156 KB)
- Epoxy Baitfish by Walt Sheppard (PDF format, 198 KB)
- Snowhite Damselfly Nymph by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 109 KB)
- Smoke Jumper Emerger by George Vincent (PDF format, 20 KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2014 Tying Demonstrations
- Renegade and Bivisible by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 247 KB)
- Spent Partridge Caddis by Bob O'Donnell (PDF format, 180 KB)
- Gorilla Glue Ant by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 115 KB)
- ZEBRA MIDGE by George Vincent (PDF format, 268 KB)
- Golden Retriever by Harry Steiner (PDF format, 153 KB)
- Crane Fly Dry and Wet by Jed Feffer (PDF format, 247 KB)
- Sulphur Parachute by Jim Greco (PDF format, 110 KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2013 Tying Demonstrations
- Crystal Meth by Dennis Covert (PDF format, 429 KB)
- Diawl Bach by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 60 KB)
- March Brown Flymph by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 274 KB)
- Cress Bug by George Vincent (PDF format, 94 KB)
- Prince Charming by Jim Greco (PDF format, 231 KB)
- Rainbow Crack by Jim Keil (PDF format, 111 KB)
- Classic Czech Nymph by Pati Nicholson (PDF format, 376 KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2012 Tying Demonstrations
- Crazy-Nasty Charlie by Dave Pratt (PDF format, 827 KB)
- SMS Beetle Master by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 108 KB)
- WD-40 Emerger by George Vincent (PDF format, 37 KB)
- Euro Pheasant Tail Jig Nymph by Pati Nicholson (PDF format, 94 KB)
- Jay Sheppard's Patuxent Special by Charlie Dissinger (PDF format, 1.6 MB)
- Mantis Shrimp by Jason Beckstrom (PDF format, 94 KB)
- Green Drake Wet Fly by Jim Keil (PDF format, 238 KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2011 Tying Demonstrations
- Bunny Bug by Walt Sheppard (PDF format, 106KB)
- Winter Stoneflies by Jim Greco (PDF format, 193 KB)
- October Caddis Emerger by George Vincent (PDF format, 57 KB)
- Shad Dart by Harry Steiner (PDF format, 10.7 MB)
- Tiny Blue Wing Olive by Dennis Covert (PDF format, 82 KB)
- Greenwell's Glory & Wickham's Fancy by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 37 KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2010 Tying Demonstrations
- Woods Special by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 688KB)
- Patriot Dry Fly by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 147 KB)
- Renegade by George Vincent (PDF format, 33 KB)
- Flash Back Hare's Ear by Dennis Covert (PDF format, 90 KB)
- Crystal Bugger by Harry Steiner (PDF format, 4.3 MB)
- Squirrel Streamer by Harry Steiner (PDF format, 131 KB)
- Black Stonefly Nymph for Steelhead by Ken Bowyer (PDF format, 139 KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2009 Tying Demonstrations
- Wet Flies by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 1.8MB)
- Suspended Caddis by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 4.2 MB)
- Steelhead Flies by Dick Friis (PDF format, 124 KB)
- Coburn's Deer Hair Cress Bug by Dennis Covert (PDF format, 148 KB)
- Bead Head Brassie by Ken Bowyer (PDF format, 28 KB)
Fly Patterns from the January 2008 Tying Demonstrations
- Crystal Meth by Dennis Covert (PDF format, 36 KB)
- Spring Creek Flies by Bob Dietz (PDF format, 8 KB)
- Kaufmann's Stonefly Nymphs by Jim Greco (PDF format, 148 KB)
Miscellaneous Fly Patterns and Tying Related Articles
- Strawman Nymph tied by Pete Yarrington (PDF format, 1.6 MB)
- American Shad Fly Darts by Nick Weber (PDF format, 1.1 MB)
- Waynes's Hickory Shad Flies by Wayne Blottenberger (PDF format, 642 KB)
- Foam Cicada by Jim Greco (PDF format, 13 MB)
- Mayfly Patterns Simplified by Jay Sheppard (PDF format, 124 KB)
- The Sulphur Puzzle by Jim Greco (PDF format, 63 KB)
- Fly Hook Comparison
- Fly Photography by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 404 KB)
- Beginning Fly Tying by Michael Abramowitz (PDF format, 2.1 MB)
- A Simple Emerger by Jim Greco (PDF format, 1.3 MB)
- Baltz's ParaNymph by Tom Baltz (PDF format, 432 KB)
- Lady Bug by Jim Greco (PDF format, 1.8 MB)
- CW Stonefly by Carl Smolka (PDF format, 127 KB)
- Polish Woven Nymph by Pati Nicholson (PDF format, 754 KB)
- Utah Killer Bug by Steve Fletcher (PDF format, 3.2 MB)
- Organizing a Fly Tying Desk by Mike Abramowitz (PDF format, 265 KB)