As a Fly designer, I strive to create new flies or improve on existing patterns to solve a problem, not just to make something new for the sake of it. In that pursuit, I’m always on the lookout for new materials to incorporate into flies. Even those that are not made for fly tying. This is certainly not something unique to me, I am confident every fly tier does the same. This is why we have such an amazing array of materials we did not have even 10 years ago.  Over the past few seasons while fishing the beloved Salmon Fly Hatch on the Deschutes I wondered if I could improve upon the stand ..read more

“Those of us who will not in any circumstances cast except over rising fish are sometimes called ultra-purists and those who occasionally will try to tempt a fish in position but not actually rising are termed purists... and I would urge every dry fly fisher to follow the example of these purists and ultra-purists.” — Frederic Halford   A selection of size #20-22 Colored Emergers.   Ten years ago, Nat Brumley had a wild idea. This retired school teacher of thirty years decided to start a business devoted to the sale of dry flies. But this wasn’t just another online shop selling impo ..read more

One of the joys of fly tying is finding new materials to create unique flies. A new material might give that older pattern a unique look that will be more alluring to a fish. Many newer materials are easier to tie with and more durable than older materials. There are also times when a new material simply does not work for the intended application. Regardless of the outcome, the education of working with new materials teaches us a lot about the application of materials, even when it fails.  My first encounter with a tier using unique materials happened when I watched Joe Ayre use silk flow ..read more

The Balanced Leech can be extremely effective for fooling trout, especially on windy days. Balanced Leeches are designed to hang horizontally when fished below an indicator. Wind provides the action to the fly. Almost any fly can be tied in a “balanced” form. However, leeches and ‘bugger type patterns are what I usually tie in balanced format. The fly is simple to tie, yet absolutely deadly at times. I generally tie it in three general color schemes (black blends, maroon blends, olive blends), and three sizes (6, 8 and 10). It’s important to tie this fly sparsely in order to create transluc ..read more

This technique produces a body from two strands of material spiraled simultaneously along the shank to make stripes. Striped chenille bodies can be used to imitate specific naturals or simply to produce the broken color pattern that is often characteristic of living creatures. We’re using highly contrasting materials to illustrate the technique, which produces a boldly striped body, but more subtle color combinations—browns and olives, for instance—can produce quite lifelike effects. Note as well that different sizes, textures, or types of chenilles can be combined with this method&nb ..read more

From The Fly Tiers Benchside Reference:     Techniques and Dressing Styles by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer (Pre-Order Now)       The Eye-Anchor Wrap This technique is simple, fast, and sure, but restricted to wires small enough to pass through the hook eye.     Step 1.  If desired, lay a thread underbody on the shank, and leave the bobbin at the rear of the hook. This method, however, works well with a bare hook shank, as is used here.    Insert the wire through the hook eye so that just a short tag protrudes.  A ..read more

From Page 342 of The Fly Tiers Benchside Reference: Techniques and Dressing Styles by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer (Pre-Order Now) Method #93: Folded Film Emerger Wings We saw this approach to forming caddis emerger wings in the work of English tyer Oliver Edwards. Edwards uses Swiss straw, as shown in the following demonstration, but any film material that takes a crease well can be used. The technique is quite simple and produces durable wings. Step 1.  All fly components that lie behind the thorax are dressed first. Lay a short thread foundation over the thorax area and return the t ..read more

These are a pair of BRIGHT, in your face marabou Spey flies from Deke Meyer. These patterns were devised for use on the fisheries of the Great Lakes but many of the modern West Coast patterns are of the same mould.  Hot Orange Marabou Spey Body: Hot orange Estaz Hackle: Hot orange marabou wound Collar: Hot orange dyed guinea fowl Head: Black Hot Pink Marabou Spey Body: Hot pink Estaz Hackle: Hot pink marabou wound Collar: Red dyed guinea fowl Head: Black --- Taken from: The Complete Illustrated Directory of Salmon & Steelhead FliesSee an exhaustive list of gorgeous salmon & stee ..read more

How to tie the Pheasant Tail Nymph by Jim Schollmeyer & Tracy Peterson    Hook: Nymph, Standard to 2X Long #12 - #18 Thread: Brown 6/0 or 8/0 Tail: Pheasant-Tail Feather Barbs Rib: Fine Copper Wire Abdomen: Pheasant-tail Feather Barbs Wing Case: Pheasant-tail Feather Barbs Thorax: Peacock Herl Legs: Pheasant-tail Feather Barbs 1. Mount the thread on the hook, and wrap back to the tailing point. Align 3-8 pheasant-tail barbs and mount them, with the tips extended rearward one hook-gap in length, on top of the hook shank using 3 tight thread wraps. 2.&nbs ..read more

Homework complete, Braden is at home behind his Norvise Rotary Vise. Though he’s become expert at tying flies from size 30 to billfish flies, his favorites are Blane Chocklett’s Game Changers, Bob Popovic’s Beast Flies, and articulated streamers. Photo by Casey Miller Richmond, Virginia’s Braden Miller, could be the next big thing in Fly Tying... as long as he finishes his algebra homework - Len Waldron Braden with a steelhead caught in November 2019 on the annual Team Norvise-Steelhead Alley Outfitters trip in Erie, PA. Pictured with Dan Bennett, a guide with Steelhead Alley Outfitters. Bra ..read more