There are some beautiful and technically amazing flies at your local tackle shop or fly fishery but with a few basic techniques you can make your own.
Making your own flies can be challenging, frustrating, fiddly and end up looking like a fly after its hit the windscreen of a car. With a bit of effort, concentration, self discipline and hard work the results can be very satisfying.
Follow a pattern
“There are lots of books and fly dressing starter kits to choose from. Stick to the basic patterns and you'll be amazed at how quickly you can improve.”
There is nothing quite like watching a Rainbow Trout rise for the fly you made your self.
Flies are not that expensive but........
Its true commonly available flies are relatively inexpensive and you can soon find your self filling a few fly boxes with wet, dry, buzzer and lure patterns (to name just a few) After a while though, you start thinking "I wouldn't mind a go at that". It all started for me when I went to my nearest Orvis shop #Orvis and they had a small fly dressing demonstration in progress. I watched with great interest and I was asked if I would like to enter a competition and make a fly to enter. The next thing I know I am sat down with a bobbin in hand learning to wind on to the hook. My first ever fly was not the best but I gave it a go and there is nothing quite as satisfying as making your own fly.
Make your fly your own
“Be original, show off your style, and tell your story in the fly.”
Once you have learned a few basic techniques you can start to experiment with colours, styles, textures and designs you never know you might come up with the newest killer fly pattern. Try them out on different days, different conditions and different hatches you never know. It is true that some patterns just work especially those that imitate the insect in question very accurately but you know how finicky fish can be.
Get Inspired
Give it a go. Visit a local fly dressing club and try your hand at making your first fly. It can be an expensive hobby but there are very reasonably priced kits out there with everything you need to make a few flies. Get Inspired, Give it a go and let us know how you are doing.
Good luck!
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