Trout Unlimited Hokendauqua Chapter 535 is hosting beginner fly-tying courses Saturdays at Northampton Area Middle School, 1617 Laubach Ave. The lessons are 9 a.m.-noon until the end of February. There is no fee to participate this year.

The lessons are taught in the middle school cafeteria, where hands-on training is provided for a variety of fly-tying techniques. The eight-week course will teach 16 different techniques, each advancing as the weeks carry on. Some methods attendees can expect to see are the Bucktail Streamer, Winged Wet Fly, Caddis Dry Fly and Foam Beetle tie.

The chapter only offers this experience once a year from January to February. Tools and materials are given with a short lesson presentation before attendees attempt the technique on their own. Every Saturday lesson comes with two types of fly-tying methods, great conversation, hot coffee and insightful stories.

Trout Unlimited Hokendauqua Chapter 535 is a conservation organization that aims to protect and restore cold water fisheries. The chapter’s home body of water is the Hokendauqua Creek, and chapter Treasurer Dale Ott explained members can practice the newly learned techniques in that creek, which is stocked with trout from the state each year.

Practice in the water is not included during the fly-tying courses, but opportunities to go out with the chapter may arise later in the year. The chapter also serves the Coplay Creek and other streams across northeast Lehigh and northwest Northampton counties.

The conservation organization is always looking for new, eager members to join the chapter. There are monthly meetings 6:30 p.m. every third Wednesday in room 107 at NAMS.

Trout Unlimited Hokendauqua also offered a free Ties and Lies night, where attendees could share fishing stories and techniques with one another. It was held Jan. 24 in the Egypt Fire Company social hall, Whitehall.

To hear more about the fly-tying courses, call Ott at 610-428-1600 or John Bernick at 267-627-0087. To learn about cold water conversation and fly-fishing techniques, visit hokendauqua.tu.org.