I'm wondering how many of you guys tie your own flies? Is it something that eventually all fly fisherman end up doing? I don't feel like I have the free time or patience to do it yet. Although I have tied up several midges just because they're easy to tie.
I took Andre Puyans' course over twenty years ago. He taught tieing methods rather than specific patterns. When you were done with the class you were able to tie up just about anything. Its a great feeling to catch a fish on something that you tied yourself.
i also tie most of the flies that i used. i taught myself mostly and have been getting into i the past 3 years. its the best feeling catching a big one on your own tied fly!
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Fishing isn't a matter of life and death....
It's much more important.
I tie mainly nymphs and soft hackles. The best of each lot goes to my father-in-law who has fly fished and tied for 30 plus years...I guess he has slowly lost interest in tying. Fortunately for me, that means more materials, which I very gladly accept!!!
From time to time, I'll purchase certain dries at the shop or ask my father-in-law for some of his favorite dry patterns.
Another friend of mine has no interest in tying--he just bums them off me...
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There's no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm...
I started out tying almost as soon as I started fly fishing. When I was young neither of my parents had any interesting it taking me to a river, so most of time was spent learning about bugs from books and trying to tie them. I stopped for a while when I ran out of materials and was generally disappointed with my fly quality, but I'm starting up again (after a painful initial investment in materials!).
Ty, As others have replied, there's a level of satisfaction that comes with catching trout on flies that you've tied, that adds another level of enjoyment to the overall experience. I have two fishing buddies that took an beginner's tying class at a local fly shop, bought all the neccessary equipment and have not tied a fly since. They each confess that they want to get started, but can't seem to find the time. I'm sure this in no way lessens the enjoyment they get from fishing with flies they buy. The fish in heavily pounded waters like Putah Creek, The Lower Stanislaus, etc. see all of the tried and true patterns all season long. Copper Johns, Prince, Micro May, Pheasant Tails, Zebras etc............. They're all great patterns but after a while the fish can become wary of them ( especially if they've been caught a few times on them.) That's where the imagination and creativity of the tyer can pay huge dividends. Sometimes a minor tweaking of an established pattern can make a huge difference. Coming up with a pattern that is new and unique as well as effective is quite a challenge, but every year there a new "must have " patterns in all the catalogs and shops, so it is possible to find new wrinkles and ideas on pre-existent themes. I guess what I've been trying to say is that whether you tie your own flies or not, if you love to get out and fish, that's the main thing. If at some point you decide that you'd like to start tying, go for it. Tight lines, Viking
Maybe starting to tie more flies will help with my anxiety when I can't fish. I can see how cool it is to catch a fish on a fly that you've tied. Heck, even my wife thinks that's cool. After I tied up a few midges and went out to the creek, I returned and told her that I caught one and she immediatley asked if it was on one that I tied. I said "umm, no".
A couple of weeks ago, I broke down & purchased a fly tying vise. I only know how to tie nymphs or wet flies at the moment. I have hooked into a fat ass bass last week w/ my Cream Bomber. Ok, it's just a white wooly bugger, but I put some olive in there. :D
I have not takin up tying because I have a bum hand and doing things that require fine motor skills of the hands is rather diffucult for me, but I will start at some point, never used it as a crutch before.
Ok, took the plunge into the world of fly tying this weekend, Got some stuff, just some low end stuff to get started. All I gotta say is this, ITS FREAKIN HARD !!! Tied a dozen or so gold ribbed hares ear and they look like crap . And I can't get the whip finish down ! I think it might be harder to learn to tie a decent fly then it is to learn to cast a flyrod.
shon42073 - it is difficult. One thing I do to practice is make a fly, and if it come out looking sloppy, take a razor and shuck it, and begin again. Sounds like a waste, but in the long run you'll save money on hooks, learn quickly, and be more likely to catch a fish on a fly you tied.
The best way to get hooked on tying is to tie what you fish with the most, what fly do you have the most confidence in? Start with your top 3 bugs and go out and fish with those.
Start off with some zebra midges. They're really easy and catch tons of fish. They will help you get the thread wrapping down as well as the whip finish. Then move to mayflies. RS2's are really easy, and I know you like those. WD40's are easy, too. Then I would move on to PT's and Hare's Ears. If you have any questions, there are tons of people here to help.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
Another way to learn is to watch someone. I've been tying for almost 50 years, but I get get in a rut and tie mostly the same flies over and over. So I like to visit sites to view and see new flies. YouTube is a good site. I think it would be helpful for for new/learning fly tiers. Click on it and call up fly tying. Many patterns will come up. Pick the one you want. Most of the people on YouTube take you through step by step on how to tie patterns.
That is all good advice. I have learned alot from you tube. I would practice whip finishing on a bare hook and do it over and over and, well you get it. I also took a class and the one on one will help a ton. Once I started I haven't been able to stop.
Shon, for nymphs I found that a whip finish is overrated... just my opinion... so i just use a few half hitches instead.
Also for you fellas who have netflixs search for some fly tying DVD's... Kelly Gallup has one on streamers which is really good.
Finally do not underestimate the value of joining a class at your local fly shop. In some ways these classes are like hiring a guide... they take time off the learning curve
I've been using a few half hitches instead of a whip finish. I'm fishing some of my fly's this weekend on some sierra trout so I'm real curious to see how durable they willl be. Its not an "easy" fast action water so i'm sure my attempts at fly tying will be laughed at by the trout.
To finish flies I now use a double whip finish. It works well and you don't have to use that toxic glue. If the first knot does come apart you can always cut the small section of thread off and keep fishing the fly. In general though most of my flies are either lost to trees or rocks before the final knot comes undone. Either that or the tail gets chomped on by those fish with big teeth. Good luck out there Shon. Most people have told me that tying simple flies that are slightly different from production flies will catch you the most and biggest fish. You may have created a magic fly that works better than those generic store bought flies!! Try tying some soft hackles with just a thread or floss body, they work great in the sierra and are easy to tie.
I second WT on the class. Took an 8 week class with Dave McCants out of Creative Sports....Awesome! I compare it to golf, you can get out there and start swinging but you're probably going to pick up some bad habits. On the other hand, take a class in the beginning and start yourself out with a strong fundemantal base.
I took a class from Dave M. also ( who is an expert on putah) and my tying has moved up a few notches. I have also moved away from the head cement and double my whip finish too. My wife threatened to boot me out of my tying spot in the house if I kept stinking the house up. I have only had to repair flys a couple of times on the water. The problem with tying my own flies is that I spend way to much money on materials.
I've been using a few half hitches instead of a whip finish. I'm fishing some of my fly's this weekend on some sierra trout so I'm real curious to see how durable they willl be. Its not an "easy" fast action water so i'm sure my attempts at fly tying will be laughed at by the trout.
Half hitches don't hold very well and they will come untied if you don't use head cement. A double whip is the way to go. Easy to tie with a whip finishing tool and you don't have to rely on head cement to keep it together. When we get together and tie, I'll show you how.
. And I can't get the whip finish down ! I think it might be harder to learn to tie a decent fly then it is to learn to cast a flyrod.
