How to Tie Flies Step-by-Step

Fly fishing is considered the erudite cousin to bait fishing. One of the aspects of fly fishing that many anglers enjoy is tying their own flies. Fly tying lets you customize the flies used for your river or region, conditions, season and species sought. Fly tying also keeps you active with the sport during the long winter months when you don't get as much time on the water. There are hundreds of fly designs that range from beginner to advanced; many follow a few basic steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Hooks
  • Thread bobbin
  • Bobbin threader
  • Fly feathers
  • Fly vise
  • Magnifying glass
  • Thin pliers
  • Whip finisher
  • Clippers
  • Tweezers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the hook into the fly vise. Most flies have the hook facing down and to the rear. Select your fly design and pick out the required feathers for the fly.

    • 2

      Thread the bobbin spool with the bobbin threader by placing the string from the bobbin into the threader. Use this for the fly wrap. Place the feathers onto the top of the hook, as dictated by your fly design. Use tweezers or small pliers to align the small feathers onto the delicate hook.

    • 3

      Wrap the feathers to the hook with the bobbin threader. Many beginner flies require between three and five wraps with the string. Fluff out the feathers in front of and behind the wraps.

    • 4

      Thread the whip finisher by running the bobbin threader through the whip finisher to remove the string from the bobbin and onto the whip finisher. Use the whip finisher to tie the remainder of the string to the fly. The whip finisher is a difficult tool at first, so do not be discouraged if your knots and wraps unravel the first few times.

    • 5

      Clip and trim down the string, knots and feathers to achieve your fly design. Open the vise by turning the knob and retrieve your custom-made fly.