Four years ago, while attending the Federation of Fly Fishers Northern California Council Conclave in Lake Tahoe, I happened across John Van Derhoof tying Atlantic salmon flies. I was fascinated by his skill and patience. I watched John, asked questions, and generally made a pest of myself. On the trip home, I couldn't shake those spectacular flies from my mind.

I bought and read every book I could find on Atlantic salmon flies. I started tying, first butchering a Green Highlander, and then doing the same to an Evening Star, but I kept plugging away.

In April, the FFF Southwest Council Conclave met in Los Angeles. I was hoping to run into John again, but learned he would not be tying. Another Atlantic salmon fly tier was demonstarting, Jim Carpenter, so I parked myself in front of him and didn't move. After watching Jim work, listening to the histories behind the flies he was tying, and gathering up a pocketful of $100 tips, I asked if he would be willing to come to San Jose and teach a beginner's course. He said he would be delighted.

I needed ten people who were interested in tying Atlantic salmon flies to make up the class, but such fly tying had yet to catch on in my area. We did pull the class together and made arrangements for Jim to teach the class in January, 1989. It was a huge success. Jim's tying skills and tips, along with a liberal dose of historical anecdotes, made for exceptional day. We tied a Blue Charm, a Silver Doctor, and a Butcher. It was a tough lesson and we gained respect for those who have mastered Atlantic salmon fly tying skills. What left the greatest impression on me was the stories behind the flies, information that gave the class a sense of completeness.

In August of 1989 I met Wayne and Donna Luallen at the FFF Northern California Conclave in Redding. I asked Wayne to teach our second class. He agreed and set me hard to work. Jim had spoiled us, providing all the materials for the class. Wayne asked us to acquire our own materials. My first thought was: eight tiers, three flies, no problem. Let's just say I was a bit off target. I quickly learned why Wayne's flies are so beautiful – he is painstaking about the materials he uses. I had to wash and steam crests, sort them according to size, then shape and stack them. Eric Otzinger graciously provided the dyed turkey (not goose!) we required, or I would have been scouring turkey farms all over the state for scarlet (not red!) feathers. Months later we were ready, but something told me all had not been pulled together. Wayne was reassuring, but told me to bring the tea kettle. We tied a Durham Ranger, a Green Highlander, and a blind-eye Baron on Gene Sunday's handmade hooks. We used a video camera and monitor to see the detailed work and after a day and a half of frustration and merriment we adjourned. Wayne's attention to detail and his urging to do the job correctly had us exhausted by Sunday night. It became clear that a class by Wayne on materials and preparation would be time well spent.

Our third class was taught by Marvin Nolte in September 1990. He supplied all the materials, and we were more than happy to let him do so, despite (or perhaps because of) the education given us by Wayne. The class took two full days, tying a mixed-wing Black Dog, and a Jock Scott and Popham on blind-eye hooks. Marvin spoiled us in the extreme: all the materials and specialty tools were separated into containers. We used speckled bustard, florican, argus (dyed yellow to substitute for the woeful-to-marry golden pheasant tail), toucan and dyed swan for wings. We even had French silk instead of rayon. Here was a chance to use the real thing and compare it to the substitutes we had been using. Marvin had us marry all the wings right at the start and I am sure that this saved us at least two hours of class time. We asked a lot of Marvin with the flies we chose to tie, and it is a tribute to his talent and patience that the class was so successful. Again we used a video camera and monitor.

The problems encountered in our classes have been minimal. The only real trouble I had was acquiring materials for Wayne's class. Having the instructor supply the materials seems the best way to go. They know exactly what materials they want to use and how to prepare them. This also saves class time by not having to fuss over contrary materials.

Here are a few things to consider when planning an Atlantic salmon-fly class:

---Plan for the class at least six months in advance. This will give both you and the instructor ample time to remedy any problems that might arise.

---Stress that your tiers be advanced. One slow tier can be a source of real frustration for others.

---Ask the instructor to photograph the flies to be tied and have color photocopies made for each student. The cost is minimal and it provides a valuable reference.

---Never take on more than three flies per class.

---Use a video camera and monitor. You can see small details from across the room. A 12X zoom camera will fill the screen with the fly from about six feet away.

---Limit the class to eight students, more is a strain on the instructor.

---Take an occasional break to stay relaxed. Break for lunch and get away from the tying desk; you'll come back refreshed. Get together for dinner after the session.

---If this is your first class, tie on loop-eyed hooks. Blind eyes may prove to be too difficult.

While I have not covered every detail, I hope I have provided some insight into the planning of a salmon-fly class. I might even have shaken a few instructors out of the bushes. I have learned more in these three classes than I ever would have in a lifetime of reading. The pleasure of getting to know Jim, Wayne, and Marvin cannot be put into words. They are masters of the art and I am fortunate to count them as my friends.