Fly Fishing And Fly Tying Basics

Fly tying is an essential tool for fly fishing. Like everything else, the design of the bait for fly fishing is to resemble a fly or a winged object that may lure the fish to taking the bait. Fly fishing has been around for more than 200 years and though there have been new technologies introduced in fly tying, such as the lure design making rare hairs or feathers that look like those of endangered species, the process of fly tying is basically the same. There are several essential tools in the fly tying process. These are the vise to hold the fly hook to be tied, magnifying glasses to see some intricate or delicate work, bobbins, hackle gauges, hackle pliers, lights, scissors and hair stackers. One may also have pliers, bodkins, floss bobbins, dubbing twisters, bobbin threaders, wing burners, whip finishers, and blenders. The old materials used in fly tying were threads, furs, feathers, yarn, tinsels, hair, wire, balsa and cork. Technology today has added other materials such as synthetic and dyed materials with the like of rubber legs, plastic wings, transparent plastic line, chenilles, and other stuff that can be mixed into the body and wings of the fly.

Artificial flies would also be incorporated with mink, rabbit, fox, bear, squirrel and other furs and or feathers coming from chicken, pheasant, goose, partridge and duck would be inserted and placed into the fly. Hence the need for the magnifying glass. Further flys would even have deer, elk and moose hair in them or neck and saddle hackle from chickens. Synthetics have allowed fly tyers to replicate such above mentioned material now to their ty. These days silicone, epoxy and Kevlar thread are being used in artificial fly patterns and weighting materials which used to be lead wire back in the day now include glass, brass and tungsten beads and cones.

The fly pattern is the template from which these items placed on a fly can be replicated in a consistent manner time and again. They are also called fly dressings. It is argued that different dressings are made for different types of fish and different weathers and seasons. These observations were made from years of experience in fly fishing, watching what available insects were present during such time that made it attractive to particular fishes. And there are undoubtedly different fly patterns when it comes to different locations and regions.

Fly tying when done right is an enjoyable time in one's little workspace, attending with great detail a bait that hopefully catches the big one when fly fishing