Fly Fishing resonates with a sense of tranquility and excitement all at the same time. The thrill of casting the line and the anticipation as you wait for the fish to bite is simply unbeatable. And you know, what adds an even greater sense of fulfillment to this delightful game? Tying your own flies.
But to harness the creativity of fly tying, you must equip yourself with the right tools and materials—much like a painter needs brushes and paints.
In this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know to get started tying your own flies, what supplies are involved, and more. That way, you’ll be able to add a whole new dimension to your fishing experience next time you head down to the river or lake.
Essential Tools for Fly Tying
The art of tying your own fishing flies introduces an element of creativity and intimate familiarity with your gear that fundamentally enhances the fishing experience. But, you won’t be able to get started if you don’t have the right tools to do so.
In general, the list of supplies you’ll need is as follows:
- Fly tying vise: A good vise holds the hook firmly while allowing it to rotate, providing access at all angles. A rotary vise can be a very good choice as it gives more control over the workpiece—an invaluable feature when crafting more complex patterns.
- Scissors: When it comes to shaping your flies, you will be relying on a pair of well-honed tying scissors. Look for a pair with fine points for precision cutting and a comfortable grip since you’re going to be using them extensively.
- Bobbin: The bobbin is the tool that holds your spool of thread, allowing for precision and control. Your bobbin should be easy to thread, have a smooth spool action, and be comfortable to grip.
- Bodkin: The bodkin is an incredibly versatile tool. The needle point is perfect for applying small amounts of head cement, freeing trapped hackle fibers, or clearing the hook eye. A bodkin with a nice handle that can rest on your desk, like a paintbrush, adds a bit of convenience.
- Whip Finisher: Once you have assembled your fly, you need to secure your meticulous work with a fast and strong “knot”. This is where the hated or loved whip finish tool comes into play. It may be a tool that requires a bit of finesse to get along with when you begin, but once you get the hang of it, it’s indispensable.
- Hackle Pliers: Hackle pliers hold the feather and allow you to wrap it around the hook with ease when tying flies.
- Dubbing Need/Loop Tool: Sometimes underappreciated, this tool is used for teasing out dubbing or clearing excess varnish from hook eyes, it’s small but mighty!
- Hair Stacker: The hair stacker is a specialist tool for aligning tips of fur or hair before they are tied onto the hook. This might seem unnecessary when you start, but as you advance and start using hair wings or tails in your designs, it becomes utterly vital.
- Material Clip: This is a special type of clip that helps you keep materials out of the way while you work on your fly.
Embarking on the fly-tying journey may seem daunting at first, but with these tools, you’ll have a robust foundation to create a wide variety of flies. As you grow in experience and skill, you may wish to add more specialist tools— but these will get you off to a fantastic start.
Standard vs Specialty Tools
The tools we’ve just discussed are standard fly-tying tools that will make up your everyday kit. These are the tools you’ll need for almost every fly you tie and include items like the vise, scissors, bobbin, and whip finisher. No matter if you’re tying a simple Elk Hair Caddis or a complex Atlantic Salmon fly, these are the tools you will likely turn to.
In contrast, specialty tools are those you accumulate as you delve deeper into the art of fly tying and often cater to specific patterns or styles of flies. For instance, a hair stacker is a tool that can initially be overlooked, but once you start tying Elk Hair Caddis and Comparadun flies, it can be invaluable for aligning hair fibers for wings and tails. Another specialty tool example is a flip-focal magnet for looking at the details of what you’re doing up close.
An essential point to remember is that it’s not necessary to gather all these materials and tools at once. Your collection will grow with your skills, and over time, your fly-tying bench will be a testament to your evolution as a fly-tyer.
What About Fly Tying Materials?
Besides the tools used for fly tying, there are also supplies that are needed. These include:
- Hooks: Hooks come in a vast array of sizes and shapes, each designed with specific types of flies and fish species in mind. For instance, dry fly hooks, designed with a light wire, help keep your fly on the water’s surface. In contrast, nymph and streamer hooks often have a heavier build to help sink your fly into the fish’s feeding zone.
- Thread: Thread holds everything together when tying flies. Threads range in denier (thickness) and colors, each suitable for specific types of applications. Lower denier threads, such as 70 or 8/0, are great for small, delicate flies, while heavier threads, like 140 or 3/0, are suited for larger flies or tying materials that need a little extra strength to bind.
- Beads and Eyes: These elements are often used to add weight to flies, helping them sink faster and deeper. Not only this, but they can add a striking, life-like appearance to your creations, with brass or tungsten beads being popular for nymph flies, while lead dumbbell eyes are a common feature on larger streamer patterns.
- Foam and Rubber Legs: Materials such as foam and rubber are used to create impressions of terrestrial insects, like hoppers and beetles. The foam helps the fly stay afloat, while the rubber legs provide movement, tempting wary fish into striking.
- Flash and Tinsel: These materials are used to add attraction and visibility to the fly. A bit of flash in the tail of a Woolly Bugger or some tinsel wound around the body of a nymph can catch the light and draw a fish’s eye. It’s subtle additions like these that can make a significant difference between a fly being effective or ignored.
All of these supplies will help you create great flies and catch the fish you’re after.
Types of Fly Tying Supplies
Fly-tying materials typically come in either natural or synthetic. The below table breaks down the differences between each of these.
| Natural Materials | Synthetic Materials |
| Feathers, fur, and hair | Flash, foam, rubber, and synthetic fiber |
| Realistic texture and movement in water | Can give your fly characteristics you won’t get from natural textiles, such as light-reflecting properties |
| Don’t last as long | Last longer |
| Typical come in larger packets | Not as many per packet |
Considerations When Choosing Fly Tying Supplies
Choosing the right fly-tying supplies is crucial to your success and enjoyment of the fly-tying process. But, what exactly do you look for as you hunt down your supplies?
Let’s review some of the considerations to remember as you’re shopping for fly-tying materials such as bucktails and bobbins.
Balance Between Quality and Price
The most expensive tools and supplies do not always equal the best. Yes, it’s quite true that quality often comes with a certain price. But there are products out there offering excellent quality without requiring you to break the bank.
Availability of Materials
It’s quite frustrating to start tying a particular pattern of fly you are fond of, only to discover that the materials are rare or seasonal. Hence, ensure to check if the materials you opt for, whether it’s a specific type of fur or feather, are regularly available.
Species You’re Fishing For
Different types of fish are attracted to different types of insects, which in turn requires different types of artificial flies. For instance, if you’re fishing for trout in a freshwater stream, you’ll likely need natural materials like feathers and fur to imitate the local insects. Conversely, if you’re targeting saltwater species like bonefish, it’d be best to opt for synthetic materials to create shrimp or crab patterns.
Tips for Choosing the Best Fly Tying Supplies
The above considerations aren’t the only things to keep in mind as you shop for fly tying gear. There are a couple of other tips I’ve got up my sleeve that can help make sure you choose supplies that not only get the job done, but that work for your particular hobby.
Let’s go over a couple of these to help you find the perfect gear.
1. Buy the Best You Can Afford
It may be tempting to settle for the least expensive tools and materials when just starting out, but, speaking from experience, quality matters tremendously when it comes to fly tying. Higher quality tools not only last longer but also make the tying process smoother and more enjoyable.
2. Go for Versatility
When beginning to select your fly tying materials, it’s wise to emphasize versatility. There exist materials that are ideal for a wide array of fly patterns and tying techniques. For example, peacock herl, deer hair, and marabou are some favorite versatile materials. They can mimic a variety of insect species and aquatic life, making them invaluable additions to your fly tying kit.
3. Prioritize
While it may be exciting to buy every tool and material available, remember that some tools are more critical than others. Essentials like a reliable vise, quality scissors, bobbin, and whip finisher should be your priority. Once you’ve got these basic tools, other specialty tools can be added over time.
4. Seek Expert Advice
When you first start fly tying, learning from experienced fly tyers can help you avoid common beginner mistakes. Don’t be shy to ask for advice, whether it’s in-person at a local fly shop or online through reputable forums.
Get Started Tying Your Own Flies
When it comes to fly tying, the right tools and supplies truly are key. Each careful selection, from the all-encompassing vise to the delicate feathers for our flies’ wings, plays a pivotal role in designing the perfect fly. It’s an art form that requires patience, precision, and passion.
While sourcing high-quality, versatile materials may seem a daunting task, remember it’s the keystone to successful, enjoyable fly tying. Your first perfectly aligned deer hair may be thanks to a reliable hair stacker. Moreover, finding a versatile material—like peacock herl, which can be used in countless flies from the classic ‘Prince Nymph’ all the way to ‘Royal Wulff’—is remarkably satisfying.
At Jesse Brown’s Outdoors we’ve got all kinds of materials and tools to help you start your fly tying journey. Browse our offerings and pick up the gear you need to dive into this new hobby. Or, if you’re not quite ready to purchase, sign up for our newsletter to receive offers and updates about our fly tying supplies.