I know a lot of us tie out own flies. It's a wonderful hobby that can keep us involved in our favorite sport when we can't be on the water. It can really help us to get through the long winter. However, there are still some folks who don't tie their own flies. Maybe they've just recently been bitten by the fly fishing bug, or just never had the time before to give it a go. With that in mind, I thought I'd give just a few recommendations on where to start if you're new to fly tying.
First, the best place to look for information is from fellow anglers. Check with local fly shops, Trout Unlimited chapters, & sportsmen's clubs to see what's going on in your area. Many groups & shops offer fly tying lessons for beginners - usually for a small fee to cover the cost of materials used, etc. This is a great place to start because nothing is better than having someone who knows what they're doing showing you the ropes. You'll meet new people & get to see flies being tied.
The next aid for you would be a good book or two. You'll want some books on your shelf as you tie for references to check back with as you progress. There are tons of books about fly tying out there & many of them are good. So, I'll just suggest a few to get you started.
1.) "The Complete Book of Fly Tying" by Eric Leiser. This is one of the best books for beginners & intermediate tiers. It has everything you need to know & is a book every fly tier should have.
First, the best place to look for information is from fellow anglers. Check with local fly shops, Trout Unlimited chapters, & sportsmen's clubs to see what's going on in your area. Many groups & shops offer fly tying lessons for beginners - usually for a small fee to cover the cost of materials used, etc. This is a great place to start because nothing is better than having someone who knows what they're doing showing you the ropes. You'll meet new people & get to see flies being tied.
The next aid for you would be a good book or two. You'll want some books on your shelf as you tie for references to check back with as you progress. There are tons of books about fly tying out there & many of them are good. So, I'll just suggest a few to get you started.
1.) "The Complete Book of Fly Tying" by Eric Leiser. This is one of the best books for beginners & intermediate tiers. It has everything you need to know & is a book every fly tier should have.
2.) "The Orvis Fly Tying Guide" by Tom Rosenbauer. A good book with fantastic color photos showing all the steps. Plenty of info here with a chapter on tools & a reference guide about feathers, hooks, etc.
3.) "LL Bean Fly Tying Book" by Dick Talleur. Another good book that takes you from the beginning. This book is geared towards the beginner, but has good info for all. It will give you a good foundation for your fly tying.
Finally, the internet is loaded with websites, articles, & other info of all kinds regarding fly tying. You can even meet fellow tiers from all around the world, seek advice, & get encouragement. A simple internet search of fly tying will keep you looking into things for years.
Fly tying is a nice activity that will enhance your enjoyment of the sport. You'll learn a lot about fishing by doing it &, I'm betting, become a better angler because of it.
Fly tying is a nice activity that will enhance your enjoyment of the sport. You'll learn a lot about fishing by doing it &, I'm betting, become a better angler because of it.
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