Begin Your Journey: Fundamentals of Fly Tying
The Fundamentals of Fly Tying with CrossWaterCreek Outfitters is an immersive, hands-on course designed to take anglers from beginner to confident fly tier in just eight weeks. This exciting, skill-building experience blends creativity, craftsmanship, and on-the-water practicality as students learn to tie proven patterns used by anglers everywhere.
Over the course of eight engaging, two-hour sessions, participants progress step by step — from mastering tools, thread control, and proportions to tying nymphs, wet flies, streamers, and increasingly sophisticated dry flies. Each class builds on the last, ensuring students not only follow recipes but truly understand why flies work. Along the way, you’ll tie classic dry fly and nymph patterns then take a dive into modern techniques such as Euro-nymphing, jig hooks, and resin bodies, giving students a versatile skill set for a wide range of waters and conditions.
Whether you’re new to fly fishing or looking to deepen your connection to the craft, this course offers an inspiring pathway into the art and science of fly tying.
Meet Our Instructor
Pat McCabe
I started tying flies with my older brother, Pete, in a class offered by the Diablo Valley Fly Fishers Youth Group when I was around 11 or 12. At the time, Andre (Andy) Puyans encouraged his teenage staff to volunteer with the club and help teach kids how to fly fish.A few years later, I began working for Andy at Creative Sports Ent. when the shop was located on Boulevard Circle in Walnut Creek. Taking a fly tying course was a requirement for employment. My first instructor was Steve Kahl, and I later took multiple courses from Andy himself.I taught my first fly tying class while I was in college at a local fly shop near Sacramento. Over the years, I’ve tied a handful of commercial and custom fly orders for various fly shops, though commercial tying was never my favorite.In the late ’90s, I taught fly tying for several years at Fly Fishing Outfitters in Lafayette. Since then, I’ve continued tying flies for my own fishing and for friends.I’m excited to share my fly tying enthusiasm and experience once again through a new fly-tying course at CrossWaterCreek Outfitters, which will begin in January of 2026.