Start Fly Tying
A beginners guide to tying flies that catch fish.
This site is designed to help people tie their first fly and catch fish with it. We have chosen six flies, and they all have two things in common:
1) They are relatively easy to tie.
2) They are all proven fish catchers.
We have partnered with Sportfish, the online fishing store, so that you can easily buy all the tools and materials you need to start tying the flies on this site. You don't need to do so to use this site though, you are free to make your own arrangements.
Introduction
There are many fly-tyers who are extremely skilled at their craft. These tyers produce mini-masterpieces on a hook and have elevated the activity almost to an art-form. Complex patterns have evolved so that these tyers can demonstrate their skills to the full.
But complex patterns do not necessarily catch more fish - in fact, the reverse can often be true. So as a beginner, do not be put off by some of the beautifully crafted flies you might see - they are often the result of years of practice and the tying of them has often become an end in itself.
It is perfectly possible for the complete beginner to tie these flies and after only a few sessions practice, go out onto the water and catch fish with them. That is what motivates us - when we are sitting at the vice we are hunting, not crafting! But if this experience inspires you to go on and expand your fly tying skills and tie more complex patterns, so much the better.You will need these materials to tie these flies:
Elk hair
Seals fur - few colours
CDC
Grizzle Hackles
Red Game hackles
Peacock centre tail feather
Peacock herl
Hare's mask
Gold wire
Oval gold tinsel
Gold beads
Threads - black, brown
You can buy these materials here
Read about how to buy hackles here
1) They are relatively easy to tie.
2) They are all proven fish catchers.
We have partnered with Sportfish, the online fishing store, so that you can easily buy all the tools and materials you need to start tying the flies on this site. You don't need to do so to use this site though, you are free to make your own arrangements.
Introduction
There are many fly-tyers who are extremely skilled at their craft. These tyers produce mini-masterpieces on a hook and have elevated the activity almost to an art-form. Complex patterns have evolved so that these tyers can demonstrate their skills to the full.
But complex patterns do not necessarily catch more fish - in fact, the reverse can often be true. So as a beginner, do not be put off by some of the beautifully crafted flies you might see - they are often the result of years of practice and the tying of them has often become an end in itself.
It is perfectly possible for the complete beginner to tie these flies and after only a few sessions practice, go out onto the water and catch fish with them. That is what motivates us - when we are sitting at the vice we are hunting, not crafting! But if this experience inspires you to go on and expand your fly tying skills and tie more complex patterns, so much the better.You will need these materials to tie these flies:
Elk hair
Seals fur - few colours
CDC
Grizzle Hackles
Red Game hackles
Peacock centre tail feather
Peacock herl
Hare's mask
Gold wire
Oval gold tinsel
Gold beads
Threads - black, brown
You can buy these materials here
Read about how to buy hackles here
We have tried to list the flies in order of difficulty of tying them, which is:
The F Fly, Grey duster, Simple Sedge, Griffith's Gnat,
Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, Gold Head Hare's Ear.
However you can tie them in any order you like!
Before you start to tie your first fly, there is an introduction to what we are trying to achieve with our fly here, and an introduction to the tools we will use to create them.
You will be able to buy all the tools and materials you need to tie the flies on this site from our online partner Sportfish, click on any of the banners to visit the Sportfish site or click here where some of the tools and materials are reviewed.
Next: Fly-tying
