Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

A Beginner’s Guide to Fly Tying

Benjamin Buckingham
By
a fly on a fly tying machine.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fly tying is the process of fastening feathers, hair, or synthetic materials to a hook. This tradition dates back to the 1st or 2nd century. Both materials and equipment have come a long way since then, though the fundamental concept is still the same. This Beginner’s Guide to Fly Tying will let you in on everything you need to know to get started. If you’re new to fly fishing or have always wanted to give it a shot, you should take some lessons or at least read a beginner’s guide to fly fishing. It’s also not a bad idea to learn more about fishing in general if you don’t know how to fish.

Thankfully, fly tying doesn’t have to be complicated, and often, it isn’t. The ritual of fly tying, especially as the days grow shorter and the weather grows cooler is a relaxing hobby. When you do catch that first fish on a fly you’ve tied yourself the sense of pride and enjoyment of the whole fishing experience is just that much greater.

Recommended Videos

What You Need for Fly Tying

Vise

pair of hands working on a fly tying technique.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The central piece of your fly tying set-up is your vise. The Griffin Odyssey Spider Cam Vise tool that holds the hook in place while you transform it into a fly.  This vise from Griffin is a nice starter option. As is the Renzetti Apprentice Vise.

Related

Other vises, like the Renzetti Traveler 2000 Vise or the Regal Revolution Vise cost a bit more but if you stick with fly tying, you’ll likely upgrade your vise down the road anyway.

Bobbin

fly tying bobbin.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The next item you’ll need is a bobbin. Flies are tied with thread and your bobbin holds that thread so it’s easy to manage. The bobbin from Cabela’s will do the trick, though there are plenty of options out there.

Head Cement: Loon Outdoors Hard Head Fly Finish Clear

Loon Outdoors Hard Head Fly Finish Clear.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another item you’ll need is a hair stacker, head cement.

Whip Finisher: Creative Angler Rotatable Whip Finisher

Creative Angler Rotatable Whip Finisher.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A whip finisher is the tool used to tie off the fly and ensure the thread remains unraveled when you are fishing.

Scissors: Kershaw Skeeter 3

Kershaw Skeeter 3 Scissors.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Scissors are the next item you’ll need, and they’re more important than you’d think. Getting in close to snip fibers with precision matters a lot in fly tying. Consider these Skeeter 3 Scissors from Kershaw.

Tool Kit: 4-Piece Fly Tying Combo Kit

Four piece fly tying tool kit.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This tool kit  is a nice option when it comes to getting started on fly tying.

Encounter Fly-Tying Kit

fly tying kit with cd rom, thread, and tools.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You’ll also need materials. Thread, fur, feathers, hooks, and beads. You can buy them online or at your local fly shop. But what you buy will depend on what fly you’re tying. Generally, black thread, tungsten beads, a wide variety of hook sizes, and a pack of different colored dubbing are a good start. Toss in some elk hair, a pheasant tail, marabou, and you’re on your way.

If you want to start tying as quickly as possible, you might consider buying a fly tying kit. Kits can be great because they come with everything you need (tools, materials, instructions) to tie 10-15 fly patterns right out of the gate. Typically the fly patterns provided will work well on different waters. Check out this kit from Orvis.

Scientific Anglers Deluxe Fly Tying Kit

a display of a complete fly tying kit.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As you discover new patterns you’d like to tie you can supplement the kit with different colors of thread, fur, or feathers. This kit from Scientific Anglers has a great variety.

Fly Tying Books

So, you’ve got all your tools and you’re ready to tie. What flies are you going to tie? Some internet research on what flies do well in your area is great. It’s also helpful to talk with your local fly shop and see what they suggest. Successful flies vary depending on the water and the time of year.

I would suggest these books for both patterns and techniques:

  • Fly Tying for Beginners
  • Essential Trout Flies
  • Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying
  • Fly Pattern Encyclopedia

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Benjamin Buckingham
Benjamin Buckingham
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ben lives in Portland, Oregon where he works as a freelance writer and outdoor guide.
Snowboarding for beginners: With our slang guide, you won’t look like a newbie
Learn your snowboard slang this winter and know the difference between a tomahawk, a taco, and a scorpion bail
Snowboarders walking

Snowboarding is more than a sport. In fact, without being too transcendental, snowboarding is a culture; it's a way of being. Snowboarding for beginners is about more than just learning the complex skills involved in a new sport. Sure, that means you need to have all the right snowboard gear to look the part — without going overboard and being labeled as having all the gear but no idea what you're doing — but you also need to learn the lingo.

I appreciate that simply by using the word lingo, I've outed myself as being well above the age that most people would consider appropriate for slang. Fortunately, snowboard slang doesn't have an upper limit. Besides, let's face it — when we're all geared up in our snowboard helmets and goggles, who can tell anyway?

Read more
The complete snowboard buying guide and size chart
Get the right snowboard this winter with our buying guide
Snowboarder Bombs the Slopes

With winter now here and many ski resorts around the country opening their lifts, it's time to think about how you're going to hit the slopes this year. Sure, those rental boards that you use every time you head to the mountain are fine — they've gotten you this far, right? Actually, some high-quality rental boards will take you everywhere you want to go and further, but at some point, you're going to want to buy your own snowboard gear.
Whether you're buying your first board or upgrading last season's setup, there are plenty of options out there. Unless you're one of those riders who buys the same board in a newer model every time they need to update — there's no shame in this, by the way; why change what works, right? —  you're going to have some questions to answer and some decisions to make. Our snowboard buying guide is here to help.

What size snowboard do I need?
There are two sizes to a snowboard: Length and width. As width increases with length, you generally don't need to worry about it unless you happen to have particularly large or small feet for your height and weight. If this is the case, consider a wider or narrower board for smoother edge transitions and control.

Read more
Beginner’s Guide to Trail Running and What You Need
trail running shoes

Even if you’re not a very outdoorsy person, you’ve probably heard of trail running. It’s a pastime that’s becoming more and more popular as people look to spend more time outside in nature while also getting in a healthy workout. If you’re interested in seeing if trail running is a good fit for you, here’s a great beginner’s guide to introduce you to this unique sport and teach you everything you need to know to become a trail runner. When you're ready to get started, put on your best trail running shoes and keep your feet steady.
What is Trail Running?
As the name suggests, trail running is a type of running that takes place outdoors, usually on wilderness trails. Generally, trail running involves more changes in elevation (with ascents and descents) and diverse terrain than road running, practiced on unpaved, gravel, or dirt tracks.

Is Trail Running Difficult?
It depends on the type of trail you’re running on, but generally yes, due to the alternating terrain and obstacles, trail running is more difficult than road running. This is why it’s important to take your time easing into this sport. Even if you’re an experienced runner, for your first trail runs you should start on flatter, better-groomed trails so you get accustomed to the difference in feel and difficulty from the running that you’re used to. After you’ve gotten into the swing of things, you can branch out to other trails that have more changes in elevation and aren’t as groomed or maintained, and may have obstacles like rocks, roots, uneven surfaces, and sharp changes in elevation. As you practice and run more, your stamina will improve.
How Do You Train for Trail Running?
Trail running is a whole different animal from road running in terms of form and physicality. In road running, you’d usually use longer strides to cover more ground faster, but in trail running, to maintain balance and traction with the uneven ground, you’ll want to practice taking shorter strides that keep your feet under your body. You should also swing your arms more to help with your balance.

Read more