Fly fishing lover shares his passion for fly tying

As the weather grows colder Jim Johnson switches from one fishing hobby to another.

While he loves to fly fish in the summer, when winter comes, Johnson retreats to an office in his basement that overlooks Flathead Lake. One wall is covered in books, mostly about fly fishing, and shelves are filled with boxes of feathers and hooks. A magnifying glass hangs over a table in the middle of the room, and a variety of small imitation bugs are strewn about the table.

Fly fishing is Johnson’s passion, and tying flies is his wintertime fishing hobby. He’s been doing it for so long, he rarely fishes with a fly he didn’t make himself.

He’s known for his skill, and through Trout Unlimited, shares it with others.

Johnson organizes a series of free fly-tying classes that will begin on Jan 12. at 7 p.m. in the library at Kalispell Middle School. The classes are every Monday for five weeks.

Johnson started putting on the class with Trout Unlimited 14 years ago, to promote fly fishing and fly tying.

Fishermen of any tying level are welcome to come to the free classes, mingle with other fishermen and learn a few tricks of the trade.

There is a beginning class and an advanced class, and participants are asked to bring their own tying equipment, but material will be provided. 

It’s not an expensive hobby to get into, Johnson said. The vice, which holds the hook while the fly is tied, is the most expensive piece of equipment, and can be found for as low as $40. Though he said a lot of people start, thinking they’re going to save money, that’s not necessarily the case.

Johnson begins the beginner level class with fundamentals and builds from there. The advanced classes focuses on technique and more complicated patterns. But most importantly, everyone who comes leaves with something to lure in a fish.

“We try to make sure everyone has a fly or two to take home at the end of each class,” Johnson said.

Though Johnson had already fly-fished for years, his father-in-law got him started tying.

“I was no good,” he said. “Absolutely incompetent.”

Then he took a few classes and practiced, and has dabbled in selling the flies he ties.  

“I love giving flies away,” he said. “I bet I give away half the flies I tie.”

Though the classes he took helped him learn more about tying, Johnson said the most important part is practice.

“You can get a start with the skills that you need,” he said. “There’s a lot of practice involved in it.”

Participants don’t have to feel obligated to make it to every class, and all are welcome to come by and try their hand at tying flies, and meet other like-minded people who are passionate about fishing.

For more information call Johnson at 837-3210 or visit fleathedtu.org.