In classical fly tying, materials are lashed to the hook, and any excess waste end is trimmed away before the materials are wound or otherwise manipulated to form a specific part of the fly. In production tying, such management of the waste materials is in itself a waste, a waste of time. Production tyers pre-trim […]
The basic premise in fly tying is to attach materials to the hook with thread wraps. The materials need to be attached between layers of thread. If one ties material against the bare metal of the hook shank, the material will spin around the hook between the metal and the thread, causing all sorts of […]
The basic premise in fly tying is to attach materials to the hook with thread wraps. The materials need to be attached between layers of thread. If one ties material against the bare metal of the hook shank, the material will spin around the hook between the metal and the thread, causing all sorts of […]
Production tying requires not only precision, but speed. There are a number of tactics that the tyer can use to increase speed and still maintain quality. One of these speed tying tips is to use the tag end of the thread to speed the initial application of thread to the hook. Once the overlock knot […]
I’ve had several comments on the D & D Midge Emerger with questions about sizes. The one shown in the post (see below) was on a size 18. but certainly they can be dressed on 16-22 with no problem at all. I use only 3 pieces of herl on the 22.
Over the last 55 years plus of tying I have tried to simplify flies to the point of almost non-existence to determine what characteristics of the flies seem to be essential to the fish’s take. This has led me to a whole series of imitations that I call the Down & Dirty Flies. They are […]
Jason reshot Ulf Hagstrom’s “Still Got the Blues for You” at a different angle to better show the tail configuration. It’s well worth seeing. Thanks Jas!
Our new book, Long Flies, is getting closer. Watch for announcements about its release date and any special offers. Long Flies is a solid look at the developmental history of bucktails, streamers, leeches, buggers, muddlers, divers, collard flies, tube flies, and more, with special attention to design parameters. In addition, it contains an in-depth look […]
One of the things I love about attending the shows and symposia around the nation is the wealth of information that can be found there. At the 2011 International Fly Tying Symposium (held in Somerset, New Jersey, on November 19 and 20), my friend, Theo Bakelaar, showed me a really slick knot that he ties […]
The International Fly Tying Symposium was outstanding this year. Chuck Furimsky, founder and manager of the Symposium, invited a group of tyers from Sweden to attend and demonstrate their designs and tying skills. They received a great deal of attention from those in attendance. In addition, the crowd was large and most excited, filling the […]