Fly Tying Articles & Videos

• Comet Steelhead Fly Tying Instructions

  Originating in the Pacific Northwest, the pattern for the Comet fly is simple to tie and is effective at catching steelhead, as well as other types of salmon. Featuring lead wire wrapped around the shaft, this tie will sink quickly to the b… read more

• Sculpin Fly Tying Instructions

  Streams and rivers around the country teem with small fish called Sculpin, which are common feeding material for trout and smallmouth bass. Fly fishers often use lures shaped like Sculpin that can imitate their movement. This fly requires w… read more

• Green Weenie Fly-Tying Instructions

  Introduced in Pennsylvania, the Green Weenie was first tied by Ken Igo and Russ Mowry in the 1950s. Anglers have long been using this fly to catch brown river trout and salmon. There are several variations of the Green Weenie fly, but the o… read more

• Whitlock's Fox Squirrel Nymph Fly Tying Instructions

  The Red Fox Squirrel Nymph Fly was developed by Dave Whitlock in the 1960s. Use it to represent many types of flies such as caddis, nymphs and mayflies, to catch trout, char and whitefish. The fur from the red fox squirrel gives the fly nat… read more

• Cap Spider Fly Tying Instructions

  Created by Michael Verduin, the cap spider fly is a simple fly that is effective for catching many types of bottom-nesting fish out of both rivers and lakes. The fly uses a jig hook that sinks to the bottom of the water and attracts fish as… read more

• Gurgle-Pop Fly Tying Instructions

  Poppers are a tried and true means of fly fishing for smaller fish such as bream and bluegill as well as larger fish such as bass. Poppers are fished on the surface and retrieved with short line strips, causing the lure to pop across the to… read more

• Pistol Pete Fly Tying Instructions

  Pistol Pete may sound like a character from the old West; however, it is actually the name of a hybrid fly originating in Colorado and taking the fly fishing world by storm. A Pistol Pete fly is a combination of a traditional dry or wet fly… read more

• Tying Instructions for an Alaskabou Fly

  Orange and shades of blue and purple are colors that should be included as part of a steelhead or salmon angler's arsenal. A wide range of dry flies can be purchased from tackle shops, outfitters and other sources for use when fishing river… read more

• Tying Instructions for a Hi Vis Foam Beetle Fly

  The hi-vis foam beetle is an effective fly pattern, especially when used for such pan fish as bream, blue gill and crappie. Featuring a body of closed-cell foam and long rubber legs, the hi-vis foam beetle is typically tied in bright colors… read more

• How to Tie Bass Deere Popper Lures

  Poppers used by fly anglers when fishing for bass are designed to imitate small to large size insects and small rodents struggling on the surface of the water. Typically made with a foam or cork body, poppers may also feature feathers or ha… read more

• How to Tie the Signature Series Intruder Fly

  The signature series intruder is a tube fly designed for steelhead and salmon fishing. The fly is also capable of catching trout, bass, pike and other game fish. The intruder is fished as a streamer and it swims through the water like a ba… read more

• Flat Wing Fly Tying Instructions

  The flat wing style is used by fly tiers to create streamers. The style of the wing is long and it uses soft materials to create motion in the water. The flies are effective for a wide variety of species and are designed to imitate bait-fis… read more

• Madam X Fly Tying Instructions

  The Madam X is an attractor dry fly that is popular with trout anglers. The fly can be used to imitate a grasshopper, golden stonefly or as a general searching pattern. The original fly uses a yellow body, but the color of the body can be c… read more

• Crease Fly Tying Instructions

  Crease fly tying is a process of making artificial fishing baits that mimic bait fish so named because the process involves folding the components in half. The process has several steps. While these steps are only moderately difficult, you'… read more

• How to Shock Macrame Yarn for Fly Tying

  Macrame yarn has become popular for use in fly tying. It comes in a variety of colors to match any number of flies and is typically broken down into its strands for use. This makes it last a long time. The yarn is easily found at craft supp… read more

• Tarpon Toad Fly Tying Instructions

  The Tarpon Toad is a saltwater fly pattern used for tarpon, bonefish, permit and many more species. The original pattern was developed in Georgia by Gary Merriman and it used a rabbit strip to create action. The original remains effective b… read more

• Brown Beetle Fly Tying Instructions

  Beetles are a major part of the trout and bass diet, so a floating or sinking beetle fly can be used to catch fish around the world. Numerous variations of the beetle exist, and you can tie your fly as a dry fly or a sinking fly. Many of th… read more

• Sheep Shad Fly Tying Instructions

  The sheep shad fly is a pattern that imitates the gizzard shad, an important forage fish. By changing the colors selected this fly can be adapted to mimmic any wide, flat bodied forage fish. The sheep shad fly can be effective in saltwater… read more

• Fly Tying Instructions for Crayfish

  Anglers commonly use crayfish flies in the form of a streamer to target large trout and bass. Numerous crayfish patterns are available to anglers with the common theme of being large and orange. Crayfish swim in a fast darting motion and th… read more

• The Best Beginner Fly Tying Kits

  Many anglers enjoy the challenge of fly fishing and the feeling of connection they get to the water and fish. Matching an imitation fly to natural insects in the area requires you to stop and take notice of the surroundings. Many anglers en… read more

• How to Tie Flies & Streamers

  Tying flies and streamers requires practice and discipline. Numerous books, websites and instructional videos are available to assist with fly-tying techniques. Instructional courses through fly shops are also an excellent way to learn fly-… read more

• Instructions for Trout Fly Tying

  For many people, fly fishing is much more than a means of catching fish or even a hobby. Fly fishing is a way of becoming one with nature for many anglers as the hunt for wary trout and other game fish species unfolds. The equipment, clothi… read more

• Glow in the Dark Synthetic Fly Tying Supplies

  Incorporating synthetic glow-in-the-dark fly-tying materials into basic fly patterns is effective for fly fishing in low light conditions, at night and in dark, murky waters. Use a flashlight to charge the materials before beginning to fish… read more

• How to Tie Lightning Bug Fishing Flies

  The lightning bug is an effective fly pattern most commonly used for trout. Several styles of lightning bugs exist but all are constructed to be a flashy fly. The fly is a general nymph pattern that is designed to sink. The fly can be tied… read more

• Crane Fly Larva Tying Instructions

  Crane fly larva can be found in streams, rivers and lakes throughout North America. The crane fly is an effective fly fishing pattern for multiple species, but it is most commonly used when targeting trout. The larva typically inhabit the r… read more

• Deceiver Fly Tying Instructions

  The Deceiver fly pattern was created by Bob Popovic and introduced to Lefty Kreh around 2003, who in turn introduced it to the world of fly fishing. The Deceiver catches fish in freshwater and saltwater. The Deceiver is used with success on… read more

• Fly Tying Materials & Tools

  Buying all the flies one needs for fishing can get quite expensive. Tying your own, however, allows to you produce flies for a fraction of what it would cost to buy them. Also, catching fish on a fly that you tied yourself is one of the mos… read more

• Understanding Fly Tying Thread Sizes

  Fly tying thread comes varying sizes based on breaking strength and size, or denier. The thread size has a direct correlation with the size of the fly being tied. Streamers on size 2 and 4 hooks need larger 3/0, big fly or gel-spun thread,… read more

• The Best Fly Tying Hooks

  The supply of fly-tying hook styles can be overwhelming for the beginning fly tier. Many fly-tying experts rely on a single brand of hook and supplement their supply with specialty hooks from other brands. The best hooks are a matter of opi… read more

• Tools for Custom Made Fly Tying

  Fly tying is a fun pastime for fly fisherman. It is a way to increase your understanding of the insects and bait-fish that fish focus on for food. Fly tying also gives you the ability to custom design flies for experimental or focused fishi… read more

• How to Make a Fly-Tying Vise

  A fly-tying vise is used to clamp and hold a fishing hook so you can dress it with a variety of materials. The basic components of a fly-tying vise, whether a commercial one or one made by hand, are a base that is solid, a stand that holds… read more

• How to Build Your Own Fly Tying Bench

  For any angler that decides to take up fly fishing, there will come a time when tying you own flies will become as much a hobby as the fly fishing itself. With all the tools, materials and hooks needed to tie many different flies, it become… read more

• Basics of Fly Tying Tools

  As with any hobby, fly tying requires a number of tools to do the job properly. All tools have a specific function in producing fish catching flies for anglers. read more

• How to Use Fly Tying Tools

  The sport of fly fishing is more than just hiking a stream in pursuit of a wary trout. It becomes a full-time passion: anglers create their own flies for their specific streams and the fish that reside there. No matter which type of flies a… read more

• How to Tie the Kwan Fly

  The Kwan fly was developed for use in south Florida backwaters and flats, but it is now a popular fly used in wetlands, marshes and other bodies of water in many other states. The Kwan fly works on almost all species of fish in south Florid… read more

• Basic Fly Tying Tools

  With a few simple tools it is possible to tie a wide array of effective fly patterns. Whether you buy a kit or purchase tools individually, you should have the following: a vise, scissors, bobbin and bobbin threader, hackle pliers, a bodkin… read more

• Basic Fly Tying Materials

  Tying flies is an enjoyable and satisfying pastime for many fly fisherman. There are different materials used to build a common fishing fly. read more

• How to Make a Fly Fishing Lure

  Making, or tying, fly fishing lures is a skill that is as much a hobby as fly fishing itself. Many people find the process of tying a fly to be relaxing. Learning to properly tie a fly presents the opportunity for creating imitations of ins… read more