Essential techniques
Essential techniques
In fly tying, there are certain techniques that are fundamental to any fly you will ever tie. Below we outline seven techniques. Become competent at them and you will not only be able to tie the seven flies featured on this site, but you will be able to have a fair stab at most patterns you will come across.
With fly tying, if there is one word that enters the beginner's mind it is 'fiddly'. There is no point in pretending that it is easy because it isn't. But like everything else there is a knack to it and the more you practice the easier that knack will become. Remember that everybody finds it difficult when they start, so be patient with yourself.
Don't become obsessed with making your flies look neat - in fact, it is often a case of scruffier the better. Fish don't seem to much care for neatness, and it is the fish we are tying for here, not other fly tyers.
Practice these techniques for a while, then continue your practice by having a go at the featured flies. Very soon you will find that you will be tying flies that will catch you fish.
Tight lines!