Unexpected Fly Tying Tools To Make You an Expert Fly Tyer
Want to try fly fishing? Then be prepared for two big moments: the day that you will catch a huge trout and the day you’ll learn how to tie a fly. Ideally, the order of these two should be reversed. But for both to happen, you need the right fly tying tools.
Tying a fly is a fun challenge that every beginner fisherman faces. It’s not the easiest thing in the world, but it isn’t rocket science, either. Much like everything else related to fly fishing, tying flies is all about practice, dedication and the right tools. We can’t help you much with the first two, but we can definitely recommend some great fly tying tools to take your fly fishing game to the next level!
9 Must Have Fly Tying Tools For Every Angler
You don’t need to spend a fortune on anything related to fly fishing. In fact, with a bit of our professional advice (you’re welcome!), you can get all the tools and gear you need without putting a dent in your finances.
Here’s what you should invest in in the beginning of your Montana fly fishing adventures.
Flying Vise
A flying vise is everything; it sets the foundation of fly tying. It’s simple. The flying vise holds the hook in place while you tie the fly. There are two types of flying vase: rotary and fixed vise. A rotary vise is perfect for saltwater flies, streamers, and deer hair. If you want to go pro, we advise you to choose the fixed vise, as it has less moving parts. Most tyers start out with a simple fixed vise that either clamps on a desk or mounts into a pedestal.
A Pair of Scissors
When you tie flies, there is a lot of cutting involved. You’ll need fly tying scissors to cut different objects. Ideally, you should have a dedicated pair of scissors for this – fly tying scissors are different from regular crafting ones.
Bobbins
A bobbin is a necessary tool to handle the thread. A bobbin holds the thread in place and allows you to apply the thread on the hook. Fly tying bobbins come in two forms: ceramic and non-ceramic. Ceramic bobbins can be a little expensive but they’re reliable and ideal for increased performance. While we think they are worth every penny, we recommend the non-ceramic ones for beginners.
Whip Finisher
When you look at those YouTube videos showing various patterns of fly tying, you’ll notice that the narrator is tying the knots using a specific tool. That’s a whip finisher. Its purpose is to help you tie your knots with the help of a thread onto the head of the fly.
Hackle pliers
With a hackle plier you can grasp hackle tips, wires and materials. In other words, a hackle pliers serves as an extension of your fingers.
Thread
A fly tying project is incomplete without a thread. With fly tying, you’ll need lots of threads for different parts of the fly fish. Threads come not only in various colors, but sizes and strengths as well.
Hair
There are several kinds of hair used in fly tying. Probably the two most common are deer or elk hair. Both are hollow fiber hair that you can use to create a variety of winged patterns.
Fly Tying Kits
Instead of trying to assemble all these items, material and tools together, don’t you wish that there was a kit with everything that you want?
Yes, there is a fly tying kit that comes with specific instructions and every item, tool and material you’ll ever need to begin. Better yet, most fly fishing shops (including ours) carry great kits and they don’t have to be expensive!
Tying Pattern
Getting everything together is half the battle. The other half is knowing how to tie these patterns. This is where most beginners give up. But if you have the right fly tying tools, you will be prepared to finish and make something great!
We recommend you start with a simple pattern that’s larger in size and work your way down. You don’t have to get it the first time. You just need a little patience, and before you know it, you’ll be a fly tying master! Besides, that there are hundreds of online videos that can help you speed up your learning process.
However, if you just aren’t really into learning how to tie your own flies, come into the Fly Shop today and we will show all of our favorite flies and where the best place is on the river to use them!
