How to Build a Fly Tying Station

Fly fishing is enjoyed by millions of people every year. Many of these fly fishermen enjoy tying their own flies. A fly-tying station is important to these fly tiers because it holds most of the fly-tying materials in a central location. This leads to more efficient fly tying and less mess. Building a fly-tying station is something almost any fly tier can do as a rewarding project.

Things You'll Need

  • 24-inch-by-36-inch-by-3/4-inch plywood
  • 2 hardwood pieces, 2 inches by 20 inches by 1 inch
  • Hardwood piece, 2 inches by 36 inches by 1 inch
  • 1/8-inch-by-50-inch wood dowel
  • Cordless drill
  • 1/8-inch drill bit
  • 1/2-inch drill bit
  • Permanent marker
  • Measuring tape
  • Wood glue
  • Varnish
  • 3-inch brush
  • Hand saw
  • 6 "C" woodworking clamps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put the two 20-inch and one 36-inch hardwood pieces on a workbench. Apply a thin coating of glue on the 1-inch side of each of the three hardwood pieces. Place the 36-inch piece, glue side down, along the edge of a 36-inch length of the plywood. Clamp tight with two "C" clamps. Place each of the 20-inch pieces, glue side down, along the the edge of a 24-inch length of the plywood and clamp each with two "C" clamps. The ends of the 20-inch pieces of hardwood should touch the 36-inch piece at the corner of the plywood. Allow to dry overnight. Remove the clamps.

    • 2

      Insert the 1/8-inch drill bit into the cordless drill. Use the measuring tape to measure 1/2 inch from the tip of the drill bit and mark with a permanent marker. Drill holes every 2 inches along the center of the 36-inch hardwood piece that is attached to the top edge of the plywood. Drill these holes 1/2 inch deep, using the mark on the drill bit as a guide.

    • 3

      Use the measuring tape to mark the 1/8-inch dowel every 2 1/2 inches. Cut the 1/8-inch dowel until you have 16 pieces 2 1/2 inches each . Apply a thin coating of glue to 1/2 inch at the end of each dowel piece. Place the glued end of each dowel into one of the holes drilled in the 36-inch hardwood piece. Allow to dry overnight. These dowels form pegs to store different sizes and colors of fly-tying thread.

    • 4

      Remove the 1/8-inch drill bit from the cordless drill. Install the 1/2-inch drill bit in the cordless drill. Use the measuring tape to measure 2 inches from the tip of the drill bit and mark with a permanent marker. Drill holes 2 inches deep every 2 inches along the center line of the 20-inch hardwood pieces using the mark on the drill bit as a guide. These holes form holding places for fly-tying tools.

    • 5

      Apply varnish to the entire fly-tying station with the brush. Allow to dry. Put-fly tying tools in the 1/2-inch holes and fly-tying thread on the pegs.