Discover the Secrets to the Best Trout Fly Tying Techniques

By Cillian Bailey

When avid fly fishing enthusiasts are determined to catch bigger trout, fly tying becomes a passion. They often develop their own special methods and patterns that work for them over time. Some even make it a hobby of its own and try to tie flies that look so real that they have to be closely examined to see if they are artificial. As with all things, though, trout fly tying is an art form that must be learned starting with the basic techniques.

The first consideration in learning trout fly tying is the tools that will be needed. A good fly tying vise is the first piece of equipment you will need since you won’t be able to tie very well if the hook isn’t held firmly. Next is a good, bright lamp to light the work area well. Others tools needed are as follows: bobbins, bobbin threaders, scissors, needle- nosed pliers, hackle pliers, bodkin/half hitch tool, and round toothpicks. As proficiency is developed, other tools that will help in trout fly tying can be added to the list, such as whip finishers that aide in tying off the fly.

The materials needed for trout fly tying will consist of some basics and items specific to the kind of fly being tied. No matter what type of trout fly tying you will be doing, you will need #8 and #10 size hooks, size 6/0 black thread, fine vinyl rib, copper wire and head cement. Other materials that are good to keep on hand for trout fly tying are red wool yarn, medium chenille in black, olive and brown, Grizzly hackle, black and green marabou, medium silver tinsel, strips cut from a plastic freezer bag, pheasant feathers of the type used for hackles on wet flies, pheasant tail feathers, bead eyes and peacock herl.

A basic technique to master in trout fly tying is controlling the bobbin. You don’t want to let it flop around, getting in the way but you do want it to help keep tension on the thread. A good way to do this is to control the bobbin with the small and ring finger of the hand you are tying with and use your thumb and first two fingers of your free hand to work the material. Successful trout fly tying can depend on control of the thread and keeping it tight as you work.

Wrapping the hackle is another basic technique for trout fly tying that should be practiced often. Though there are several ways of wrapping hackle in trout fly tying, a good basic technique for trout fly tying is to take a feather approximately four inches long and strip the fluff off the quill until about two-thirds of the quill is bare. Trim the thick end of the quill off so it is easier to tie onto the hook shaft without being bulky. With your forefinger and thumb, rub the feather against the ‘grain’ until it is spiky. Tie the quill end to the shaft, fold the spiked feather in half length-wise and wrap it around the shaft three or four times so the quill is lined up against itself on the wrap but not overlapping.

There are many techniques in trout fly tying, from tying the thread onto the hook to finishing off the fly, that can be modified to suit the particular person and the type of trout fly tying being done. Each pattern in trout fly tying will have its own techniques. There are different types of flies to tie, such as dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, streamers and bucktails. Experimenting with different techniques and different types of flies will help you to find the best methods for your trout fly tying.

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