How to tie flies

So you've spent your whole life fishing with conventional rod. You can name every road, every reel, every cast, and can pinpoint exactly where the big fish are. You decide you want to switch things up a bit by getting into fly fishing. You figure "it's easy enough I can do this". Let me just tell you this; by the time you come back from a weekend trip to the mountains you will have no flies left. You will have lost them in various shrubbery and trees that line every stream in North Carolina. This is to be expected though, don't worry!. As a new fly fisherman, you're still learning how to cast accurately. There's just one problem though, at $2 for two flies you're gonna rack up a hefty charge. You can easily remedy this problem by tying your own flies. All you need is a vise some scissors and thread. tying materials can range from high quality DNA Deer hair to hair shedded from your dog. Tying your own flies gives you the opportunity create your own patterns specific to the environment you fish. This process will also help you improve your knowledge of what fish like to eat.

...Ok, so let's run through exactly what you'll need to get started.

1. A Vise: A good vise can cost you anywhere from 5 bucks to 100 bucks. There is absolutely no need to buy an expensive vise. I have had one vise since I started fishing and it's still working without any problems. I recommend buying a vise like the Super AA Chrome Vise. this vise costs 15 bucks. For a cheap vise you can tie flies with hook sizes 00 to 22.

2.Tools: Tools are very important. You will need a good bobbin and pair of scissors to tie any fly correctly. I would not mind spending a bit more money than necessary on these items. Having high quality scissors will make a mess of spun deer hair into a colorful, perfectly sculpted frog. Personally I use a the Orvis encounter super slim tool set. Alternatively you could use the Orvis master series tool set. Either way both sets include every tool you'll need and some razor sharp scissors.

3. Hooks: Personally I will use any fly fishing hook I can get my hands on. If i had to choose one brand over any I would use Mustad. My Mustad flies have never been spit out or broken in a fish's mouth.

4: Material: Ok, this is where things get fun! Tying material can range anywhere from the top end feathers and hair to a piece of carpet that your wife didn't know you cut up. There are endless patterns for every fly imaginable and every fisherman prefers one. The best way to tie flies is to look up a "base model" of the fly and put your own touch on it. If you decide not to scavenge your house for possible materials I would suggest checking out the Caddis Fly Shop. They carry everything you will ever need.

Now that you're all set up to tie flies you need to learn how. No worries, I will be coming out with a video series dedicated to North Carolina flies. Stay turned into this blog for weekly updates on flies and how to tie them.

Most importantly have fun! Fly tying is an art and should be enjoyable. It shouldn't be a hassle to you at all. Play around with it and see what you can come up with.