5 Reasons A Simple Fly Tying Vise Is Best

5 Reasons A Simple Fly Tying Vise Is Best

New to tying? Take my adVISE…

When I first got interested in tying my own flies, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the countless vise options available at various price points. Did I really need a fly tying vise that cost several hundred dollars? Was a rotary option actually worth it or would stationary do? Should I get one with a c-clamp or base plate? Why were there so many knobs and what in the world was that skinny metal arm sticking off the side for?

Ultimately, after asking a lot of dumb questions at the shop, and hours and hours of researching on my own, I decided to purchase a Griffin Odyssey Spider Vise. This vise is geared towards beginners, which at the time described me, but after tying thousands of patterns on this thing, I’m pretty convinced it’s the only vise I’ll ever need. Continue reading “5 Reasons A Simple Fly Tying Vise Is Best”

How To Tie The Peacock’s Eye Ice Dub Thin Mint: Fly Tying Video

How To Tie The Peacock’s Eye Ice Dub Thin Mint: Fly Tying Video

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! We have our very first Tying Tuesday that falls on Christmas. We thought that this one looked like a Christmas Tree. 🙂 We hope you have a wonderful day today and enjoy this tie!

The traditional thin mint is tied with a little less work and a lot less flash. Depending on how or where you fish it, the thin mint can imitate a variety of things in the water. From small bait fish to leeches fish it how you want it. The standard thin mint is tied with olive, brown, and black as the tail, a peacock herl body, brown hackle, wire, and a gold bead. Spicing it up a little can change the way it fishes so make sure you know what’s at the end of your line.

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How To Tie The Mysis Crystal Shrimp: Fly Tying Video

How To Tie The Mysis Crystal Shrimp: Fly Tying Video

If you have fished the Colorado tail waters below Dillion, Taylor Park or Ruedi Reservoirs you understand the importance of Mysis. These shrimp were put into these reservoirs specifically to help the growth and population of Salmon, Trout and other aquatic species. With the release of water along comes the Mysis into the tailwaters making the fish very happy and often football shaped. This pattern created by Roy Palm in the Umpqua Feather Merchants catalog is a home run. Simple to tie yet very effective in the right places.

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Winter Fly Fishing – Best Clothing for Cold Weather Fishing

Winter Fly Fishing – Best Clothing for Cold Weather Fishing

When the snow starts falling, many anglers pack up their gear and wait out the cold months, anticipating the return of long days and warm afternoons. For those willing to brave the cold, though, winter fly fishing can be a rewarding time.

In many places, fish are active and accessible year-round. Even better, you probably won’t have to compete for your favorite runs, and can often go all day without seeing another fly fisherman.

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How To Tie The Pig Sticker Variation: Fly Tying Video

How To Tie The Pig Sticker Variation: Fly Tying Video

The pig sticker is a tried and true fly pattern. This fly can be tied in a multitude of different styles and colors. In any river system your going to find worms and fish feeding on worms. Off color water, high water and after it rains is a great time to fish this fly. Works great as point fly or dropper in your nymph rig. Do not be afraid to tie this fly in larger sizes like 2/0.

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How To Tie The Medallion Midge: Fly Tying Video

How To Tie The Medallion Midge: Fly Tying Video

Yet another solid pattern from the mind of Pat Dorsey, the Medallion Midge is a go to winter time midge pupa imitation. Similar to the Top Secret Midge, this pattern features a brown body with a white ribbing followed by a rust or brown colored thorax. The real difference is the wing buds and how they are imitated. On this pattern like the name suggests, it utilizes the medallion sheeting material to mimic the wing buds of an emerging midge. I like to fish this pattern deep utilizing some weight or another weighted fly to help get it down fast.

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