The recipes for some popular dry-fly patterns, such as the classic Adams, call for both brown and grizzly hackle at the front. As Tim points out, it’s only natural for a tier to wonder if they really need both; it would certainly be easier . . .
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Video: How to Tie the Dark Hendrickson Wet Fly
The Dark Hendrickson Wet is a great all-around pattern for springtime fishing, or at any time that there are dark mayflies available to trout. The pattern is production fished on a traditional wet-fly swing, dead-drifted, or . . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Trim Deer Hair
Spun deer-hair makes for a dense, buoyant fly body, whether you’re tying a large, traditional Tap’s Bug or a size 12 Goddard Caddis. Once you’ve got the hair spun on the hook shank, it’s time to trim it to shape. . . .
Read MoreVideo: How and Why to Use Maximum Thread Tension
In this great video, Tim explains why he believes that thread tension is the key to improving the quality, look, and durability of your flies, and then he sets about showing how to achieve this level of tension. From adjusting your bobbin to bracing the . . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie a Simple, Effective Redfish Fly
Here’s another “guide-fly” lesson from Alvin Dedeaux of All Water Guides. (Or, as he calls them, “super easy to tie, down and dirty, quick and easy, fish-catching guide flies.”) As Alvin says, he doesn’t want to create flies that are complicated or take a long . . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the Dynamite Balanced Leech
In this video, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions walks you through the steps for tying a balanced-leech version of a Squirmy Wormy. (He teaches you to tie the original here.) The pattern makes use of a relatively new material that . . .
Read MorePro Tips: 5 Flies for Winter Steelhead
It’s almost that time of year again, when dropping temperatures and shorter days begin to separate the casual anglers from the truly dedicated. Clearing out frozen guides every few casts isn’t for everyone, but rewards do await those hearty souls . . .
Read MoreVideo: The Fly-Tying Tools You Really Need
If you’re going to be a fly tier, you’re going to need some tools, but which ones? Here, Tim explains which tools he deems absolutely essential, from a selection of scissors to whip-finishers, to a caddy to hold everything in place. . . .
Read MoreDon’t Miss Tom Rosenbauer at the International Fly Tying Symposium
The International Fly Tying Symposium is the country’s largest consumer show dedicated to the art of tying flies, featuring more than 100 celebrity tiers. Astonishingly, Tom Rosenbauer has never participated because of scheduling conflicts, but this year, . . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the October Caddis Soft Hackle
The October caddis (genus Dicosmoecus) is one of the great fall hatches across much of the country. And after you’ve been tossing size 22 Blue-Winged Olives, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and such, it’s always great to tie on a bigger fly. The trout feel the same . . .
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