The art of fly tying is synonymous with the act of fly fishing itself. For many, fly tying is a way of expressing what they learn on the water, turning feathers and fabrics into works of art to fool fish. The feeling of catching a fish on a fly you tied has inspired countless anglers to develop new patterns and revolutionize fly fishing throughout the years.
Many fly anglers fall into a natural progression of learning to fish, followed by learning to tie flies. If you’re in that boat and are ready to dive into the world of materials, threads, and hooks, this beginner’s guide to fly tying will steer you in the right direction.
Things to Consider Before Learning to Tie Flies:
The most common misconception about tying flies is that you will save money by not buying flies from a shop. As much as we wish this were true, ask any seasoned fly tyer, and they will tell you that it is simply not the case. Buying materials, hooks, beads, and tying tools adds up fast and will continue to cost you as you learn new patterns.
What fly tying does bring is a better understanding of fly fishing, bug life, and matching the hatch. Long gone are the days of visiting a local fly shop with hand-tied bugs made specifically for local waterbodies and species. The commercial fly tying market has taken over, meaning just about every shop will carry the same patterns from the same manufacturers. In tying your own flies, you can study your local fisheries and dissect what works and what does not. Behind the vise, you can fine-tune existing patterns or create your own that accurately mimic the size, color, and profile of the food source you want to imitate.
Starting Out:
The most intimidating part of fly tying is starting out. Learning what gear you need, what patterns to tie, and even what materials to buy. Luckily, technology has opened up the world of fly tying, providing anglers with an abundance of valuable resources. The following steps will provide you with everything you need to get started.
Tying Tools and Equipment:
Fly tying equipment can be broken down into two main categories: vises and tools. A tying vise is a contraption that holds a hook in place, enabling the tyer to add thread and materials to construct a fly. If you’re new to tying, there are two routes we recommend for buying your first vise. The first is a basic vise off of third parties like Amazon. These vises are no-frills tools that beginners can tie on, learn the basics, and discover if fly tying is right for them. They are cheap, but they do the job, and if you like fly tying, they can be upgraded down the road.
The next option is buying an introductory vise from a known brand. Two that come to mind are the Peak Rotary and the Renzetti Traveler. These vises offer premium components and features, like a rotary head, without breaking the bank. The initial investment will be more expensive than cheaper overseas vises, but you will have a reliable tool with which to learn and grow.
The next essentials for fly tyers are tying tools. These typically include scissors, a bodkin (needle-like tool), a whip finisher (tool for finishing flies), hackle pliers, and a bobbin (tool for holding thread). There are countless great tools and manufacturers out there, but for the sake of this article and your budget, we’ll stick to the best starter kit. Loon, known for creating fly fishing and tying gear, offers the Core kit. This includes all the basic tools needed to learn fly tying.
Fundamental Tying Techniques:
You’ve got your tools, and you’re ready to start tying. No beginner’s guide to fly tying would be complete without these fundamental tying techniques. Master these steps to create consistent and well-crafted patterns.
Proper Proportions:
Fly-tying recipes and videos often reference using the hook as a measuring tool. The parts of the hook—the shank, the eye, and the barb—are all valuable tools to measure the length of materials like tails, wings, etc. If you have a pattern in mind, learn the proper proportions and measurements and stick to them. These are found in most tying recipes. The result will be consistent flies that look and fish the same. Often, the length of a material is for a reason. Altering it may cause the fly to ride incorrectly in the water and ultimately catch fewer fish.
Thread Control:
With a bobbin in hand and thread spooled up, you’re ready to start tying flies. With that in mind, refrain from wrapping thread on the hook and going all in without learning thread control. Thread is the proverbial glue that holds a pattern together. A good rule of thumb is to use as little thread between the bobbin tip and the hook shank as possible. Generally, one to two hook eye lengths of thread is a good starting point. This allows you to maintain thread control and neatly stack thread wraps behind each other. The result is crisp, even thread wraps that make a clean, durable fly.
Whip Finishing:
Once you’re done tying a fly, finishing it is the next step. Here, you’ll want to learn how to properly use a whip finish tool. No amount of glue will hide your mistakes, so learning this step is crucial. There are plenty of great video tutorials available, like this one. The basis of this step is to use the tool to create a “Number 4” shape, then wrap it over the hook eye several times, properly finishing the fly.
Perfect the Process:
You’ve got the gear and the knowledge to tie a fly; now it’s time to sit down behind the vise and enjoy the process. When first starting out, the best piece of advice is to pick three patterns you fish regularly and start there. Go to your local fly shop and pick up all the materials needed for these flies. Chances are there is some overlap in materials, so you’ll be well stocked.
With materials in hand, pick one pattern to start. This is where perfecting the process comes into play. Tie this fly at least a dozen times. As you add more to your box, you’ll refine skills and proportions that are applicable to new flies.
Final Thoughts:
Fly tying is a creative and relaxing process. It’s a pivotal step in the fly fishing journey, elevating your knowledge and ultimately evolving into a more well-rounded angler. Starting out can be intimidating, but with today’s online resources and this beginner’s guide to fly tying, you have the tools needed to start. So stock up on materials and hit the vise before your next time on the water.
