Introduction to Fly Tying Tips

Series Summary

Fly tying is the process of producing an artificial fly to be used by anglers to catch fish. Fly tying for fly fishing requires the binding of various materials to a hook with thread. Fly tying requires some basic equipment, including the specific materials for the fly pattern being tied, and a fly pattern to be followed. Fly tying equipment enables the angler to efficiently and effectively assemble and secure the materials on the hook. Flying materials were originally limited to a number of furs, feathers, threads and hooks, but today there many different types of natural and synthetic materials used to tie flies.

There are a number of different materials and tools that can be used in fly tying, from natural furs and feathers versus synthetic materials, to pliers, vises, and scissors for the actual tying process. In this free video series, our expert will teach the basics of fly tying, from using hooks and tying thread to using a whip finish tool, palmering, and weighting a hook with lead wire. Whether you're a serious fisherman interested in fly fishing, or a beginner who's unfamiliar with any kind of fishing, these easy video instructions will break down the process of fly tying so that anyone can understand it. Once you learn how to do fly tying, you'll be that much closer to getting out to the water and enjoying the real fun!

Video Transcript

"ALVIN DEDEUX: Today, we're going to talk a little bit about fly tying. We'll start with some of the fly-tying tools and materials, and then we'll do a little bit of fly-tying technique. And then we'll actually tie some specific flies. Fly tying is a totally different sport really from fly fishing or any other type of fishing for that matter. A lot of people spend a lot of time tying flies and maybe even more time tying flies because you can tie flies when it's rainy or when the weather is bad or when you're stuck inside for whatever reason. And one of the really cool things about fly fishing and fly tying is that you can make flies that maybe you couldn't buy anywhere or you can come up with your own patterns, tie them in different colors. Or actually take your fly-fishing equipment to the river with you and figure out what the fish are eating and actually tie something to represent what is in the water right then and there and go catch fish on something that you've invented on your own. So it's a pretty cool part of fly fishing, and some people actually enjoy it as much or as more than they do fishing which is maybe will explain to some people but--hey, to each his own."