While I am by no means an expert I would consider myself an accomplished fly tier and over the years I have picked up on a few tricks, these are what I hope to pass on to you. Fly-tying is very much an art, that makes the tier an artist, and as with all artists, everyone will have their own style. The article is an attempt to introduce one to the rudimentary skills required for tying, once these basics have been learned you will develop your own style and techniques. So, let�s get started, shall we?
The tools required for tying are quite basic, you�ll need, a vise (this holds the hook while applying materials), a bobbin (this hold your thread) a scissors, and finally a bodkin (simply a needle with a handle).
The vise will be the most important tool you have, and also the most expensive. While you can easily fork over a couple hundred for a nice vise in this authors opinion there is no reason for the beginning tier to do so. I still tie on a simple cam operated vise purchased from cabelas when I first started tying. Cam operated refers to a vise that holds a hook by means of a split jaw which is pulled backwards into a flared frame, this causes the jaw to close on the hook. A good vise can be obtained for around $30. When looking for a vise try to find one with jaws that give you the most access to the hooks, there is nothing more frustrating then not being able to reach and area of your fly because the jaws are in the way.
Another tool that is essential to tying is the bobbin; this is a very simple tool that holds your spool of thread. The bobbin is best described as a �Y� frame with a hollow tube for the stem. The bobbin will allow you to leave your thread hanging from the hook; this will keep tension on your materials and keep the fly from unraveling.
The third essential tool is a scissors, obviously this is used to cut materials to be used in tying. It is important to have a fine tip on your scissors so you are able to get at your fly when trimming materials. When cutting heavy materials try to use the back 1/3 of the blades this will keep you tips sharp for fine work.
As stated above, a bodkin is nothing more then a needle with a handle, it can be used to pick out materials that have been caught under thread wraps, or to pull out dubbing to create legs or other features on a fly. The rest of the tools while not essential will, in general, make your tying experience much more enjoyable and productive. They will be discussed as we use them.
The materials used for fly-tying as virtually limitless, most any feather, fur and hair has, at one time of another been incorporated into a fly at sometime. The list is truly endless, rather then trying to list all the different feathers, furs etc. I will list materials by type (e.g. hackle, dubbing, etc.) and give a few applications for each.
One of the most widely used materials in the fly-tying world is dubbing. Dubbing is usually fur, either by itself or blended with synthetic materials, rabbit, beaver and muskrat are a few furs that make excellent dubbing. To apply dubbing take a very small amount and hold it up to the thread, roll the dubbing in between your fingers creating a rope around the thread. Other applications for fur and hair include tails, wings, and legs.
Feathers have a wide variety of uses in fly-tying. They can be used on both dry flies and wets, the can float your fly, or help it sink, they can be used as tails, wingcases, legs, almost anything. A good assortment of feathers is crucial to fly tying. As this series progresses we will go more in depth as to the feather used for each application but for now, suffice to say that most any feather can and will be used for something.
Finally, synthetics, man-made materials, these can be anything from thread to plastic to yarns to formed lead and metal. All serving valuable purposes in the creation of a fly, we will learn more about using synthetics as the weeks go on, we will also see how items found laying around your house everyday can be used in tying to create some new and different effects. Until next time, keep the thread wraps tight.
Eric Staswick
Warmwater and fly-tying editor of Fly-Fishing the West
