Basic Fly Tying
Fly Tying With Clamps and Nippers
If you do not have a vise, you can still tie flies. Please see the Fly Tying with Clamps and Nippers article. Having a vise and some fly tying tools does make it easier and quicker, but it is not at all necessary. Flies tied "in hand" or with just clamps and nippers tend to be imperfect, disheveled, very "buggy" and surprisingly effective!
Although you will probably want to use a vise when tying at home, if you tie during a fishing trip or even at streamside, you probably will not have a vise with you. You can tie flies that are very effective (although perhaps not very neat) with just a pair of Dr. Slick Spring Creek Clamps and a pair of nippers.
It is not at all hard to do and takes only a little practice. Click here for more information and step-by-step instructions.
And really, if you tie for the fish rather than for the fisherman, and view a fly as a tool rather than a small piece of art, you might decide you don't actually need a vise anyway. Flies tied with clamps and nippers look pretty buggy - and they do catch fish.
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“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin
"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662
As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.
We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.
Warning:
The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.
Beware of the Dogma
Seriously, all the hooks sold on TenkaraBum.com, whether packaged as loose hooks or incorporated into flies, are dangerously sharp. Some have barbs, which make removal from skin, eyes or clothing difficult. Wear eye protection. Wear a broad-brimmed hat. If you fish with or around children, bend down all hook barbs and make sure the children wear eye protection and broad-brimmed hats. Be aware of your back cast so no one gets hooked.
Also, all the rods sold on TenkaraBum.com will conduct electricity. Do not, under any circumstances, fish during a thunder storm. Consider any fishing rod to be a lightning rod! Fishing rods can and do get hit by lightning!
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Ever since I started fly fishing, I've wanted to fish beautiful flies. I respect and understand the bait and lure fishermen and even those who purchase flies, but it's not for me. I get more happiness when the catch starts at the tying bench with a piece of artistic creativity.
Phillip D, Montana
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