I began fly-fishing and fly tying in 1981 when I was living in Colorado and working for Martin Marietta Aerospace in Littleton, Colorado. I worked there from 1980 to the end of 1991. During that time, I was able to fish some of the best rivers the west has to offer. I learned fly tying from a guy named Ed Buchanan, who also worked at Martin Marietta and was teaching the course for the recreation department. Free! Ed taught us the basics. Thread management, proportions, dubbing techniques, winging etc. A few months with Ed and you became a decent tier.