Fly Tying

A pastime that blends creativity with practicality, fly tying has hooked anglers across the globe for centuries. Tying your own flies has several advantages: it’s cheaper than buying them, it forces you to learn more about the forage species where you’re fishing, and it allows you to custom tailor your flies to specific fish and conditions. This guide to fly tying will give you the know-how to get started crafting your own flies and assembling a solid fly tying kit. From the basics to advanced tricks, this article is designed to introduce you to a unique facet of fly fishing that will only deepen your appreciation for this life-long pursuit.

Choosing the right flies when planning your next trip to fly fish for trout can be tricky given the breadth of patterns to select from. Expert fly tyers understand this better than almost anyone, so we wanted to hear from our community of experienced guides on their top sources for killer trout flies. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the best flies for trout and show you our top 10 places for trout flies, sourced from the best fly tyers in the space.

Choosing the right flies when planning your next trip to fly fish for redfish can be tricky given the breadth of patterns to select from. A well-curated fly box should offer an angler diversity for different fishing situations, durability, value, and confidence in your fly selection. Guides understand this better than almost anyone, so we wanted to hear from our guide community on their top sources for killer redfish flies. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the best flies for redfish and show you our guide-sourced top 10 picks for redfish fly tyers.

Redfish, also known as red drum, are the bronze bruisers of shallow coastal waters found from Massachusetts to Mexico. These fish are often recognized by their one-spot tail, copper-burnished bodies, and propensity for putting up a spirited fight. With their aggressive feeding habits, redfish aren't overly picky, but precision in fly choice can elevate your success rate significantly. Selecting the right redfish flies can make all the difference between a day of casting practice and the victorious tug of a hooked fish.

Tarpon are notorious for their aerial acrobatics and brute strength, presenting the ultimate challenge to anglers. Many anglers use live or imitation bait to target these fish, though at the heart of this pursuit are tarpon flies – precision tools crafted to outwit this intelligent species. The artistry in these flies lies not just in their appearance but also in their ability to move convincingly through the water, triggering strikes from these discerning predators. Whether you're preparing your first fly box or looking to refine your selection, this guide will provide valuable insights into choosing effective tarpon flies that could tip the scales in your favor.

Snook are a long-time favorite for light tackle anglers in Florida. Known for their epic eats, relentless fights, aerial acrobatics, and expertise in ambushing prey, snook are a highly prized catch for many inshore anglers. Snook are habitual in much of their behavior. Learning what makes these game fish tick will significantly up your chances of success on the water. Before jetting off on your fishing adventure, here are a few best practices and things to keep in mind to make the most of your snook fishing escapade.

Time to grab your vise and follow along as Capt. Conner Bryant walks us through how to tie the “Marsh Creature.” This simple black and purple fly only requires a handful of basic tying materials, and is easy to crank out in batches. This is one of Conner’s top summer redfish patterns in the South Carolina lowcountry, but it looks fishy enough to fool reds from Pamlico to Port Aransas.