Buyers Guide - What tools do I need to tie flies?

Teaching someone from the ground up to tie different types of flies has a steep learning curve.  However, if you keep it simple, you can get everything you need to get started and just add a few things as your tying game steps up.  Having the proper fly tying tools helps the process become smoother and more efficient. 

If you want to learn how to tie flies, check out our winter fly tying classes. As you start your fly tying journey, use this guide to get all your tools to tie the perfect fly.

1. Fly Tying Necessities

You always need just a few things.  First thing is a vise.  Yes that may be understood but lets start at the beginning.  There are a TON of vises out there.  Whether it's a simple vise, a basic rotary, or any number of high end vises, buy one that fits your budget that will last you a while in your tying adventures.

There are three other necessary tools for fly tying: 

• The bobbin holds your thread to use to tie.
• Scissors cut the thread.
• The whip finisher finishes it all up once you're done. 

In my opinion that's all you "need".  There's lots of other tools out there to help with certain situations but the true needs of the sport are summed up in those three tools.

2. Handy Fly Tying Tools

There are a ton of tools for tying out there.  Many of these are very specific for a designed technique in tying.  So depending on where your tying takes you, you MAY need some of these.  For instance if you are getting into tying deer hair poppers you'll need a good

• Hair packer: This tool is a necessity if you tie deep hair poppers, but it's not needed in other applications. 
• Different types of scissors:  You'll learn that specific tasks work much better with a certain kind of scissor.  Fine tuned work for some tiny flies compared to cutting big hefty materials can vary in which scissors do the job well for you.
• Pedestal base: Many vices just come with a clamp to attach them to a table.  Replacing that with a pedestal base helps the ease of placing your vise in a specific spot that fits you best, as well as packing up and moving if you don't have a permanent spot to tie in.
• Bodkin: A bodkin has unending uses that range from picking guard hairs out of your nymphs to splitting your thread for a dubbing loop to applying head cement. It's a fairly simple tool but something you should definitely have.
• Hackle pliers: If you're tying dry flies, a set of hackle pliers is vital. Though there are many styles available, the best option boils down to personal preference. Look for an option that's comfortable in your hand and provides the right amount of tension.

3. Unnecessary Fly Tying Tools

The random tools that have been invented for fly tying is infinite.  As stated before, some of these are for very specific techniques and if you get into that sector of tying then you may need it, but if you're really not diving into that area, save your money and go buy some more materials instead.  These can range from fancy dubbing chip clips, vises that cost WAY too much money, super odd scissors, complicated dubbing loop twisters and more.  I'm sure there's some of you who own more tools than you tie flies in a given year and I've touched a nerve, but this blog probably isn't for you anyway.  

In the end, tie flies because you truly enjoy that part of the spot.  Have a fun and relaxing sit at your vise and go stick a few fish with your creations!