How to Build a Fly Vise

A fly-tying vice is used to hold a fishing hook securely while the fly tier wraps thread, feathers and other material to it, all in an attempt to imitate an insect or baitfish pattern. If the vice fails to hold the hook securely while the tier pulls and tugs on the tying thread, it will be impossible to properly arrange the materials and the fly will look like a wad of mismatched fuzz.

Things You'll Need

  • Small vice grips
  • Small hobby vice with plastic jaws
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Instructions

    • 1

      Secure the hobby vice with plastic jaws to a table, bench or other object that will provide firm and secure support. Open the jaws of the hobby vice and insert the immovable arm of the vice grips (There are two arms, one acts as a lever and the other is immovable), then securely clamp the vice grips in place.

    • 2

      Assume a comfortable position in a chair or on a stool in front of the vice setup. Based on the size of the hook, adjust the jaws of the vice grips to accept and hold it securely.

    • 3

      Make any final angle adjustments on the vice grips so that the hook is positioned at a comfortable height, angle and attitude relative to you, the tier. Keep adjustments to a minimum by sticking to one size hook until you have tied a sufficient number of flies of that particular size.

    • 4

      Adjust the vice as needed when you change from one fly pattern to another. To tie subsequent flies using the same hook size, just open the vice grips, insert a new hook, close the vice grips and begin tying. There is no need to make any other adjustments.