COFTG Leaders
Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild
We are a Fly-Tying Club supporting the fly-fishing industry along with conservation of our waters, fish and lands.
Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild (COFTG) was founded in 2009 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Charter Club. We fall under the umbrella of the Oregon Council Fly Fishers International (ORCFFI) and are incorporated in the State of Oregon. All club members must be a member in good standing of Fly Fishers International (FFI), our parent non-profit organization. Face-to-face meetings are scheduled once a month in the winter months on Saturdays, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM in Sisters, Oregon. Yearly dues are FREE for 2026 plus $5.00 per attending member at meetings.
General information and plans:
- Club specific patterns are for all fish, all waters, in keeping with FFI Mission.
- Our goal is to teach the art of tying and to enjoy sharing all our Fly Tying and Fly-Fishing related skills with others.
- In keeping with our goals of helping others, we donate framed fly plates to FFI and Oregon Council events to generate funds for education and conservation efforts.
- We also volunteer our tying skills to various 501(c)(3) charitable events.
- All skill levels are welcome. Beginner tyers plus professional tyers, everyone is welcome to join the fun and learning experience.
- Our purpose is to learn from each other all aspects of fly tying and fly fishing.
- We have organized a teaching team for the meetings. Beginners and advanced tyers can work at their own pace.
Our Leaders and Instructors
Sherry Steele
Club Founder, President & Instructor
Sherry Steele lives in Sisters, Oregon. She has been involved in fly fishing for over 30 years and is a passionate advocate for fly tying education and conservation.
steelefly@msn.com
Valarie Anderson
Club Founder & Secretary
Valarie is the founder of the Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild and the current club secretary. She brings decades of fly tying expertise and organizational leadership to the guild.
www.valarieanderson.com
Dutch Baughman
Instructor
Dutch is beginning the tenth year of service to the FFI Board of Directors. His extensive experience in fly fishing organizations makes him an invaluable instructor and mentor.
Peggy Brenner
Instructor
Peggy Brenner resides in Florida, close to some of the best saltwater and freshwater fly fishing in the country. She brings a wealth of warm-water and saltwater tying expertise to the guild.
Dick Rohrbaugh
Instructor
Dick is a retired professor, having taught at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He brings an educator's precision and patience to every fly tying class he leads.
Sara Jo Royalty
Instructor
Sara Jo is a professionally sponsored fly tyer from the Southern Oregon Coast. Her expertise in coastal and saltwater patterns adds a unique dimension to the guild's curriculum.
Jeff Perin
Instructor
Jeff Perin is the owner of the Fly Fisher's Place and guide service. He brings hands-on guiding experience and deep knowledge of Central Oregon waters to every class.
Jerry Criss
Instructor
I have been fly fishing and fly tying since the early 80s. It has been a passion that has taken me to many beautiful waters across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Tom Adams
Instructor
Tom Adams is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and a lifetime fly fisherman. He brings a broad perspective on regional patterns and techniques from across the country.
Jack Gillis
Instructor
Jack Gillis is a life member of FFI and its Fly-Tying Group, and currently serves as an active instructor. His decades of tying experience span a wide range of fly styles and techniques.
Al & Gretchen Beatty
Instructors
Gretchen & Al Beatty are long-time fly fishers, fly tiers, photographers, and writers. Together they bring a wealth of creative and technical expertise to the guild's instruction program.
John Kreft
Instructor
John Kreft is an Instructor who continues to teach classes every year. His dedication to sharing the craft of fly tying keeps the guild's teaching tradition strong.
Club Officers
| Club Officers | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Sherry |
| Secretary | Valarie (VAL) Anderson |