On this single page you’ll learn the step by step instructions to begin your fly tying journey. This course is designed for the beginner, BUT more experienced tiers will pickup some tidbits. I’ve tied flies for over 30 years and have been blessed with the opportunity to sit across the vise with some of the best fly tier’s in the U.S.
Stay Tuned and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel 👉 Guide Recommended on YouTube to get each of the lessons as I release them.
Lesson #1 – Different Types of Flies and Anatomy of a Fly Tying Hook
If you’re new to the fly tying world and a video starts with something like, “Oh, you’re going to need a 4x hook with a 2x long shank and a dumbbell bead to start,” don’t worry. You’re not alone in your confusion. The world of fly tying is layered. However, like many things in life, it’s best to learn one thing at a time. Let’s start with the most important part of a fly: the hook
Here’s the shortcut link to the full written lesson with video and PDF 👉 Fly Tying Hooks and Anatomy
Lesson #2 – Fly Tying Tools
Fly Tying Tools, you can get a basic kit. I personally recommend the Hareline Kit Materials and Economy Tools kit it has a decent quality tools. If you start getting serious, consider upgrading your vise. The PEAK Rotary is an amazing value that will last a lifetime.
Better scissors, look at getting carbine blades. They’re super sharp and last a little longer.
Bobbins can be an individual preference. The best one is from Rite bobbin, comfortable and smooth tension. Ceramic tips are great.
Head cement, UV cure glues will open up your tying patterns. Wing casings and scud backs are easy with UV glue.
Here’s the shortcut link to the video and PDF 👉 Fly Tying Tools
Lesson #3 – Knots for Fly Tying
Knots in fly tying are reinforced with head cement. The instructions and video go over the two most common knot. The Half Hitch and Whip Finish.
Learn these two knots to quickly tie nearly every fly. The shortcut link to the video and PDF 👉 Knots for Fly Tying
Lesson #4 – Fly Tying Materials
Confused about what tying materials to get started with? Lucky you, I’ve got some thoughts so you can make some wise buying and tying decisions.
You’re going to see some strange stuff in some fly recipes. Almost like alchemy, but we call fly tying. Art Flick used urine-stained hair from a vixen for the Hendrickson.
Here’s the shortcut link to the page for 👉 Fly Tying Materials
Lesson #5 – Fly Tying Techniques (Attaching Material Correctly)
Correctly holding and bidding down the materials is a skill you’ll learn with a little bit of practice. This lesson will help shorten the learning curve by providing bidding and cutting techniques. We’ll get into more skills and techniques in the first 3 or 4 flies so follow the lessons in order until you get 3 or 4 patterns mastered.
This lesson has a great video. Click on the shortcut link 👉 Fly Tying Techniques for the Beginner
Our First Fly the San Juan Worm
The San Juan is the perfect fly to start your fly tying journey. You get to hone your fundamentals while still tying a productive fly.
Vary the size and color, sometimes the fish are looking for a change in their diet.
Find the article and video here 👉 Fishing and Tying the San Juan Worm
Tie a Bucktail Streamer
I still have memories of the first trout I caught on a “Mickey Finn” that I tied. Fly tying starts the fly fisher down a path to understand more about the fish we chase.
Find the article and video here 👉 Bucktail Streamers (Tie and Fish for Success )
Old School Secret the Brassie
Don’t tell anybody about this nymph. Heck I’d say this is a pre-cursor to the popular Perdigon flies we’re seeing. This fly sinks fast and works perfect to match caddis.
Easy to tie, read more in this article 👉 Fishing and Tying the Brassie
Catches Fish Everywhere the Elk Hair Caddis
My fly boxes are filled with this dry fly. More importantly for the tier is learning the proportions and tying techniques.
Tie this fly in a wide range of sizes from 12 to 18 with slim and bushy profiles.
Here’s a complete guide to one of my favorite flies. 👉 Fishing and Tying the Elk Hair Caddis
The Ultimate Dry Fly the ADAMS
As I type this all I can think about is a late-June fishing trip hooking into a +24″ Brown Trout on a Adams.
This fly works in so many situations. Vary the size and colors, then catch trout.
Learn some important fly tying skills with this article and video 👉 Fishing and Tying the Adams Fly
This Fly Works – Pheasant Tail Nymph
Fast to tie and super versatile, the PTN is a go to fly on many rivers. Vary the sizes and make sure to tie some with beads.
Learn how to tie and setting it up for fishing 👉 Fishing and Tying the Pheasant Tail Nymph
👇Check out the Articles Below About Flies and How to Fish With Them 👇
Catching Big Trout with Trico Mayflies: Tips and Techniques
Okay, I get it…Trico’s are small. They’re difficult to cast and even more difficult to see once on the water. But they definitely work,…
Parachute Flies: What Are They and 8 Favorites that Catch Fish
Coming from a spin fishing background, when I first started fly fishing a lot of things were difficult for me to understand. One of…
Junk Flies (8 Favorites That Catch Fish!)
Junk Flies? Does such a thing exist, and if so, what on earth are they? I must admit that I had to do a…
13 Best Perdigon Flies (Why They Work)
A fly pattern that has probably caused more controversy and conversation over the few years, more than any other fly pattern is the Perdigon….
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Squirmy Worm (Setup, Fish, and More)
A ‘heathen misfit’ or a ‘kids toy’ wonder fly, whatever your thoughts are on the Squirmy Wormy, I can tell you one thing. They…
Expert Fisherman Reveals the Secret to Fishing and Tying the Perfect Light Cahill Fly
The Cahill fly pattern is one of the oldest and most well-known of the Catskill fly patterns and has been the number-one fly choice…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the HARE’S EAR NYMPH
One can’t write about a guide to flies and how to tie them without including the famous Hares Ear Nymph, GRHE, as known by…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Pheasant Tail Nymph
The Pheasant tail nymph is one of those fly patterns you would most definitely come across when starting out. Whether you started fly fishing…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Clouser Minnow (Setup, Fish, and Tie)
We are now talking about a fly that has probably caught just about every gamefish known to man and many more other freshwater and…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Bucktail Streamers (Setup, Fish, and Tie)
No matter what the season, water condition, or time of day, Bucktail streamers will always have a place in most fly fishers’ fly boxes….
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the San Juan Worm
The San Juan Worm is no stranger to the fly-fishing world. This pattern has been around for over 50 years and, in the right…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Girdle Bug (Fish & Tie)
Before I started this article, I had recently read a great piece on the girdle bug. I know, weird, but it was a very…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Beaded Caddis Nymph (Plus Tying Instructions)
The deadly caddis nymph. I’m not sure there are many other patterns with such a reputation for catching fish and many varieties of fish…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Elk Hair Caddis
The Elk Hair Caddis is no stranger to any dry fly box. I would confidently state that almost all dry fly fishers have some…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Black Gnat (a perfect Dry midge)
When you talk about Gnat patterns, many aren’t sure what you may be referring to, while others will immediately say the Griffiths Gnat. George…
Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Zebra Midge (Simple to Tie)
Midge patterns aren’t new to the fly-fishing world and have been around for a long time. They are in a class of their own…
Complete Guide to Fishing and Tying the Griffith’s Gnat
The Griffith’s Gnat is one of those patterns that nobody brags about fishing, tying, or even having in their fly box. Admittedly I was…
15 Best Flies for Cutthroat Trout (These Flies Work!)
Cutthroat will always be the exciting, temperamental and fashionable fish in the trout species. My first experience with these fish were in the Bighorn…
Complete Guide to Fishing and Tying the Brassie Nymph
The humble little Brassie. If there was ever a fly pattern that had little to no recognition of how deadly it is, it has…
The Best Leech Patterns For Trout And Great Fishing
It’s a known fact that trout love leeches and anglers have been using them for fishing for decades; unfortunately, if you’re like me, you…