I tie professionally for several shops. I couldn't make a living just off of what I make from flies. The problem is that the market is flooded with flies that sell for $1.00 or less, each. I can't tie them that cheap, so I concentrate on hard-to-find patterns, and I do a lot of custom-tying for people. I make enough to keep myself in hooks and materials, but that's about it. But I am OK with it. At least it doesn't cost me anything.