I can’t really remember how old I was when I discovered my dad’s fly tying bench. It was actually my Grandfather Rideout’s huge roll top desk from his B & A railroad office.
But large drawers now held old cigar boxes stuffed with every size, shape and color of feather imaginable. Every envelope slot, small drawer, nook and cranny was filled with hooks, thread, floss, yarn, tinsel, lacquer and head cement bottles and lots of tying tools.
Occasionally I’d watch my dad build colorful creations, but soon became bored and headed off to do kid things. One and all in the household understood the desk was off limits unless Dad was at hand.
When I got my very first fly rod on my 10th birthday and a plastic box with a small selection of dry, wet and small streamer flies, my outlook of the big desk, its wondrous materials and my father’s special skill all changed.
My cousin Steve was three years older and had been tying flies for two years, so between him, my dad and a couple of very well illustrated books a lifelong, very rewarding hobby took root.
I’m thankful on many long, dark cold winter evenings for this wonderful diversion.
No matter if you’re 8 or 80 years old, if you have an interest in fly fishing, tying your own flies offers many more benefits than just a way to pass time. It’s a hobby anyone can learn and how involved you want to be and how advanced your technique becomes is an individual decision.
Every fly caster basks in the thrill of a fish striking a fly, especially when you can watch the rise and boil during the take of a floating dry fly. Imagine the extra thrill and satisfaction if you actually tied the fly. Or better yet, what if the fly was an original pattern you thought up and crafted.
Beyond the personal reward of fooling a variety of species of gamefish into eating a fake fly you put together, it’s easy to keep your fly boxes resupplied. The exact pattern you want may not be available at the local sporting goods store or even online, but put a hook in the vise and spend a few minutes at the tying bench and any shape, size and pattern is ready to cast.
Put in the time and effort and a hand tied creation will last longer and catch many more fish than most commercially tied flies. Even after the initial cost investment of material and tools as well as replacing and adding new components, tying is way cheaper than buying.
I have to warn you, the enjoyable pastime of tying trout and salmon flies for river and stream casting can take a nasty turn, becoming a bit of an obsession. Soon tandem trolling streamers are being tied, then it’s Atlantic salmon doubles and bass bugs, followed by nymph, leech and terrestrial imitations and then some salt water patterns.
The true fly fanatics often strive for the peak of perfection, eventually attempting to recreate intricate classic salmon flies with exotic feathers and dozens of materials that take several hours to fabricate.
While age and gender have no effect on learning to tie flies, where you live might create a hurdle or two. Having a friend or family member who already enjoys the pastime is a sure-fire advantage. They are able to share guidance as well as a supply of tying tools and material for a rookie. Within less than half a dozen sessions, a novice will know if this special craft is for them or not.
Larger communities will have a recreation center or perhaps a fish and game club where annual fly tying classes are offered once or twice a year. Perhaps the local high school will have a multi-week adult education class offering tying lessons.
Sporting goods stores and fishing gear shops are also likely to sponsor lessons. If you attend annual outdoor sportsmen’s shows, there’s a good chance to view fly tying clinics, meet the practitioners and find an instructor or class in your area.
If a class or personal guidance just isn’t available, it’s time to explore the self-teaching option. “How To” books were limited more than 60 years ago when I was learning to tie flies. Today there are hundreds of tutorial books and even better, lots of videos and DVDs.
Top rate step by step directions easily accessible on YouTube can be stopped, replayed and even enlarged on computer or tablet for precise step-by-step illustrations for beginners or even veteran tiers trying to improve their techniques.
Basic fly tying kits can be purchased for as little as $30, with enough tools and materials to tie several simple but effective patterns. Far more complete boxes containing a better vise, more implements and a much wider array of feathers, fur, floss and hooks may cost various amounts up to $150.
Fly fishing and fly tying go hand in hand for many hardcore anglers. I can vouch from years of experience, when it’s not possible to be on the water, rod in hand, spending time at the vise refilling my fly box is a wonderful salve for winter.
