Become a better fly tyer

 

We get asked a lot about advice for becoming a better fly tyer or things we wish we knew when we started tying.  Here are a few things you can implement right away that should make tying more enjoyable and result in better end products at the vise.

Move beyond the recipe

The main character in the Lego Movie was a builder who relied on instructions and routine to bring familiar happiness to his world.  Fly tyers can become similarly robotic after becoming too reliant upon recipes and tying videos.  The first tip to becoming a better tyer is to move beyond the patterns and recipes.  The Feather Mechanic, Gordon Van Der Spuy, is known for the phrase “form follows function”.  We need to understand why materials are in a fly and what purpose they serve to making that fly act in a certain way.  Understanding this main point will translate into more efficient fly tying and more effective patterns tied at all sizes.  To illustrate this point, try tying two identical patterns in various sizes.  The proportions, and ofted the materials, will need to change in order for the fly to retain its effectiveness at all levels.

Work with the right materials

You DO NOT need the exact materials listed to create a fly worth presenting to a fish.  There are certain materials, however, that you don’t want to compromise on when it comes to quality.  Tying thread is one of them.  Ensuring you have the right thread for the fly you are tying is key to becoming a better fly tyer.  Thread control and wrap efficiency comes next.  The size and strength of your thread will usually be the difference between you tying a quality size 14 driftless caddis, and a size 20 driftless caddis.  If you try to tie them both with the same thread, you are likely to experience frustration and varying end products.  Under-quality or improper-sized materials could also be a factor in creating consistently good flies.  Tying an angel minnow, for example, with anything but angel hair will not provide the desired end product.  The tying experience will be impacted.  Make sure you have quality materials that serve the desired function of the fly before pursuing pattern perfection.

Find community

Connections made within the fly tying community are one of the greatest gifts we can be given from this amazing pasttime.  Search the interwebs for local clubs or tying opportunities near you.  If there are none, start up a club and be consistent with meeting opportunities.  Our local club (The Tuesday Tyers) meets every Tuesday night from Dec - April.  Whether there are two tyers or ten, this group consistently meets and offers rewards to those who join in the form of tying wisdom, fish stories, and outdoor adventures.  There is always someone out there better at fly tying, and this can be a portal to a new world of education and understanding.  Connection is way better in person, but there is a place for online communities as well.  Focus on finding community to meet others who share your passion.  That will make you a better tyer.