Homemade Fly Dryer

Many fly patterns utilize epoxy glue to add body and substance to the fly and to firmly fasten some components of the fly to the body. According to the web site onlineflytyer.com, epoxy has been used as a fly-tying material for more than 40 years. One of the challenges in using epoxy is to get the glue to set smoothly. Traditionally, a rotary fly dryer has been used for this task.

  1. Building a Fly Dryer

    • Several plans exist online for the construction of a fly dryer. The project requires only basic tools and skills, although an electrical motor is used.

      A fly dryer works on the principle of moving the fly through the air rather than moving air past the fly. In its simplest form, a fly dryer is an electric motor spinning a drum or wheel. The flies are attached to the edge of the wheel.

      Before beginning construction of the fly dryer, decide where the machine will be used. A fly dryer can be mounted on a small wooden base and moved as needed. It can also be mounted permanently to a fly-tying bench.

      Many craft or hobby shops stock small electric motors. Look for one that runs at less than seven revolutions per minute. Some motors are battery-powered, while others are powered by 120-volt current from a wall outlet.

      Attach a plastic bowl to the shaft of the motor. For those looking for a true do-it-yourself experience, use a cover from a stack of blank compact discs. The bowl should be centered on the shaft of the motor to turn smoothly. However, at seven RPMs a slight wobble won't be a problem.

      Cover the outside of the bowl with a foam material and the fly dryer is ready to use.

      Flies are hooked to the foam cover of the dish and rotated until the epoxy has dried.

      Those tieing flies can improve efficiency with the fly dryer. Epoxy can be applied to a large number of flies that can then be dried at one time.

      Those tieing flies should refrain from checking the epoxy by touching or poking the fly. If the epoxy isn't dry, it can mar the fly. Instead, prepare a "dummy fly" made only of epoxy and attach it to the dryer. Check this for dryness and discard when the batch is complete.