If you’re a new angler, or even a seasoned one, you might want to try your hand at fly tying. Tying flies is a good way to learn more about the insects in your area that the fish you’re hoping to lure in are feeding on. It’s also a fun, creative hobby that can also serve your hobby of fishing. We sat down with Adam, one of our adventure center managers and fly-fishing guides, to walk us through some of the details of tying flies! He’s recently started a new fly-tying clinic this summer so our guests can learn a little bit more about the art of tying flies and practice with a helpful instructor leading the way.
Q: First and foremost, what exactly is a fly? And what is it used for in fly fishing? Can you explain briefly what entomology is.
A: A fly is what we put on the end of our line for fly fishing, used to imitate what a fish would eat in nature. These can be flies that sit on top of the water or ones that sink underneath the water, and there are even flies to imitate small baitfish that trout may eat. Part of being an angler is the ability to determine which of these flies one should use. We use basic entomology (the study of bugs) to determine what we use. I also use entomology with my fly tying to imitate the life in the river as closely as possible.
Q: Why would someone decide to tie their own flies when they can buy them at the store?
A: I decided to start tying flies because I wanted a deeper understanding of what I was using. The appeal of fly fishing for me is the connection with nature. I think a lot of people go through their day with no real observation of what is happening in the natural world around them. With fly tying, I find myself identifying insects and looking at river life in a whole new way. I have a greater respect for the overall ecology of the river and realize that it is a system that is much larger than myself. To be able to take a small piece of that and recreate it on the vise is a pretty cool experience.
Q: What materials and equipment are needed for tying your own flies?
A: To start fly tying, first and foremost you need a vise. This is what will hold your hook while you are tying your fly. The next two most important tools are a bobbin (the tool used to hold your thread) and a good pair of fly-tying scissors. You can add a whip finish tool if need be, to finish off your fly, or you can use a half hitch with your thread. For anyone looking to get into fly tying for their local waters, I recommend stopping into a fly shop and buying the materials for a few basic patterns. The fly shop should be able to point you in the right direction on some simple flies that would work for your region. The process for tying flies can be very different depending on the type of fly, so YouTube is also your best friend in terms of finding tutorials for each fly you’d like to tie.
Q: What are some common flies you tie for the waters around Vista?
A: For the waters around Vista, I prefer a heavy hare’s ear pattern early in the season. I add wire and a tungsten bead for the extra weight, and it works great to sink into the seams and pocket water that are typical for the elk river. As we progress into hopper season, I prefer to use a dry dropper most of the summer. I will tie a CDC (cul-de-canard, or feathers from the back of a duck which are very buoyant due to preen oil produced by the preen gland) emerger with a touch of flash on the thorax, which works great trailed behind a larger dry fly. That can be tied with or without the bead, but I prefer with the bead to fish in a different water column. One of my personal favorite flies to tie and use in many different waters is the Frenchie nymph. Tied in size 14-20, this is a great fly for the Elk and the Yampa River systems. I prefer to use brown UV dubbing for the collar. This gives the fly a little bit more of a natural look while still having enough shine to grab a fish’s attention.
Q: Do you make and use different flies for different times of the year? If so, what and when?
A: I use different flies at all different times of the year. The fish are not looking for grasshoppers as much in December as they are in July! In the winter I focus more on patterns of nymphs that have a longer life cycle, such as stone flies, because their nymph form will be present in the water year-round. In the summer, I will tie caddis and BWO (Blue-winged olive) imitations, both as dry flies and nymphs, because those are both hatching at different points throughout the summer as well. In general, I try to tie flies that are going to challenge me because I enjoy the process of tying. It means more to me to catch one fish on something that I created versus 10 fish on something I bought from a store.
Q: Anything you’d like to add?
A: To me, fly fishing is not about trying to conquer nature as much as it is about being an observer of the natural world. I think the humility of realizing the greater world around us has been lost in a day and age where we are inside more than ever before. Fly tying itself is a way of enhancing that observation, from looking at bugs on the underside of rocks to finally getting that one fly to look just right. I would encourage anyone who is interested in fly tying to reach out to us here at Vista Verde, or your local fly shop, and we can help you get started on that journey.
For more information on our fly fishing click HERE or to book a reservation: vistaverde.com.