Start Tying Your Own Flies

There are so many reasons why an avid or novice fly fisherman should get started in fly tying. Reasons such as saving money, becoming more prepared, the ability to better match local insects, curing cabin fever, and of course the sheer enjoyment of catching fish on a fly that you created.

Saving money is a great reason to start tying your own flies but initially it can be costly. However, in the long run you will generally save hundreds if not thousands of dollars compared to the money you would spend in buying flies, with the average cost per fly being $2. I recommend buying startup kits; they come with all the tools you need and usually come with some materials. After that many of the materials you will need are very cheap (well under $10 and the portions tie hundreds of flies) and your only other investment will be hooks. Usually a box of 100 hooks is around $10, compare that to the price of 100 flies which will cost about $2 per fly and if you don't have a fly shop close by throw in the price of gas and it's easy to see how you will be saving money.

Next is becoming more prepared, nothing leads to more success when fly fishing than being prepared for anything. Fishing conditions change constantly, whether it's different insects hatching throughout the course of the day or year, or changing water levels or temperatures. With the ability to tie your own flies and load your fly boxes with patterns that work, you will meet with more success.

Matching flies to local fisheries is something many people don't take into account when purchasing flies. Insect's size and coloration may change from stream to stream and lake to lake. Some streams and lakes may have different communities of insects than others. Having the ability to correctly match the insects or prey on the body of water one is going to fish is of huge importance. A quick example, my local trout stream has a great abundance of Slate Drakes, or Isonychia, but they tend to be on the small size about a size 14. The fly shops closest to me only sell Slate Drakes in sizes 10 and 12. Being able to tie a size 14 Slate Drake that exactly matches the local hatch has increased my success with the larger, finicky trout.

Tying flies is also a way to cure cabin fever during winter months or anytime you know that you won't be able to fish for a while. Sitting down and tying flies is a great hobby by itself. Many people find it very enjoyable to create things and that is exactly what you are doing. Outside of just the enjoyment of tying you will be helping in preparing yourself for the upcoming season or just your next outing.

Finally, and my personal favorite, is the sheer enjoyment you will receive by landing a fish on a fly that you have created. Until experienced, it is one of those wonderful things you come to enjoy from tying your own flies. The joy could come from the fact that you experimented in the fly you tied, or the fact that you precisely matched the hatch, or simply in knowing that what you created worked.

For all the fly fishermen who have been thinking about tying flies hopefully this gives you a reason to get started. My only regret with my own fly tying is that I should have started at an earlier age, don't make the same mistake!