Harder or easier?

All about flies Fly Tying
1

Which way are you heading as a fly tier?

Do you want to learn to tie more elaborate patterns, get better at ‘harder’ ties?

Do you enjoy challenging tying experiences?

Are you looking for easier or faster ways to get your flies tied?

Would a ‘simple’ version of a fly that produces for you be something that’d you would consider?

Do you believe that a fly that takes more time and/or skill to tie will catch more fish than a simpler fly?

Do you tie flies for the enjoyment or relaxation of it, or is fly tying just a necessary chore that you have to do in order to fish effectively?

Is the ‘purpose’ of your tying to fill your fly boxes?

Do you try to tie new and/or fun looking patterns or flies even though you are unlikely to ever fish with them?

Is fly tying an end in itself for you?

Do more intensive tying techniques intrigue you for thier own sake, or are you just looking for flies that will catch more fish?

Is it about tying the flies, or about fishing the flies? Both?

Just some things I’ve been pondering lately…

Thanks,

Buddy

2

Buddy…these will hit it pretty close…

Are you looking for easier or faster ways to get your flies tied?

Is it about tying the flies, or about fishing the flies? Both?..=Both

I’d have to say my goal is to tie a fly which will fish …and I’m always trying to come up with a variation that will produce better.

3

i love tying flies with the intent of someday fishing them but i tie for fun.
i like to invent and test new patterns
try new materials
make flies more durable
i believe simpler flies catch more fish
simple flies represent something to eat to fish rather that a specific insect allowing it to catch more fish
sometimes i need a pattern so i fill my fly box with it
but mostly i just tie a dozen of each fly and put them in medium plano divider boxes :smiley: until they get used
i have way to many flies but still tie for enjoyment :smiley:
i will always try a challenging technique
or tie a new fly
always experiment!!!
im only 14 and i porbably have over 5000 flies but still tie everyday for fun
i always love the satisfaction of catching a fish on my own hand tied flies
and i love trying super hard new techniques
just my feelings on tying

ok i will shut up now

chris

4

After 40 years or so of fly tying I have flies divided into two groups. Those that I fish and those that go on display.

The flies I fish tend to be simple, in fact the simpler, the better. Even then I still try to do a good job of tying the fly. Correct proportions, neat head, correct size hackle and all that. I also like to make them as bomb proof as possible. I hate a fly that comes apart while your fishing it.

Those that go in a frame tend to be very technical in nature. Smooth silk wraps, married or strip wings, that sort of thing. Those I tie for the artistic enjoyment. Some take a few hours, some a few days, depending on my mood.

I know the classic flies were tied, originally, to be fished, and I still do fish a few of them, but that sort of goes against my “Keep it simple, Stupid” prpinciple.

REE

5

Which way are you heading as a fly tier? I’m not sure. Only 3 years in, but enjoy every monute I can get.

Do you want to learn to tie more elaborate patterns, get better at ‘harder’ ties? Yes I do.

Do you enjoy challenging tying experiences? To an extent. If I don’t have to purchase materials that cost a lot to tie the more chellenging ones.

Are you looking for easier or faster ways to get your flies tied? Looking for more efficient techniques.

Would a ‘simple’ version of a fly that produces for you be something that’d you would consider? Yes.

Do you believe that a fly that takes more time and/or skill to tie will catch more fish than a simpler fly? No.

Do you tie flies for the enjoyment or relaxation of it, or is fly tying just a necessary chore that you have to do in order to fish effectively? Absolutely enjoyment and relaxation!!

Is the ‘purpose’ of your tying to fill your fly boxes? You betcha!

Do you try to tie new and/or fun looking patterns or flies even though you are unlikely to ever fish with them? Not really, but one day I would like to. Maybe one of those neat x-mas patterns.

Is fly tying an end in itself for you? I’m not sure what this means.

Do more intensive tying techniques intrigue you for thier own sake, or are you just looking for flies that will catch more fish? I look for both.

Is it about tying the flies, or about fishing the flies? Both? Defintley both!

Great questions Buddy!

6

My answers will reflect my status as a rank beginner.

Do you want to learn to tie more elaborate patterns, get better at ‘harder’ ties?
Yes, but almost every new pattern I tie has something new for me. I also try my best to get the basics right. Proportion, durability, neatness, etc.

Do you enjoy challenging tying experiences?
Definitely. See last answer. I have hit a couple roadblocks that I haven’t figured out how to get around yet.

Are you looking for easier or faster ways to get your flies tied?
Not really. My fishing needs are not that great. half dozens or so of most patterns have been plenty.

Would a ‘simple’ version of a fly that produces for you be something that’d you would consider?
Not really an issue for me at this point. Were I tying dozens it would matter.

Do you believe that a fly that takes more time and/or skill to tie will catch more fish than a simpler fly?
No. There are too many examples of simple flies that just work, often better than more complex ones. Dave Engerbretson always said the suggestion of life is what to strive for not neccessarily realism. Soft Hackles, wooley buggers, PTNs, EHCs, etc.

Do you tie flies for the enjoyment or relaxation of it, or is fly tying just a necessary chore that you have to do in order to fish effectively?
I definitely enjoy it as a hobby, but I also think it makes me more effective because I can tie patterns never found in fly shops.

Is the ‘purpose’ of your tying to fill your fly boxes?
No. For the majority of the flies I use, I could do that easier and cheaper buying flies.

Do you try to tie new and/or fun looking patterns or flies even though you are unlikely to ever fish with them?
No. In the end they all go on the end of a tippet at some point, or I don’t tie them. Not yet anyway.

Is fly tying an end in itself for you?
Without question. Yes.

Do more intensive tying techniques intrigue you for thier own sake, or are you just looking for flies that will catch more fish?
I would have to say that intensive techniques are a little out of my league at this point. Always looking for a better fish catcher though.

Is it about tying the flies, or about fishing the flies? Both?
As seen from above answers, very much both.

Well, that was clear as mud. :smiley:

7

KISS (keep it simple stupid)
if the flies are used for fishing i like them to be easy ties. i usually loose them anyway. Many people have been successful with simple flies, such as Al Campbell.

Take Care and Happy Tying
WWFF-Matt

8

I have been tying for over 10 years now and I guess at this point I am not so concerned with ?harder? ties, but just making the flies I tie have the same quality as those in the fly shop bins. I enjoy challenging ties, but I no longer have to prove to myself I can tie a certain fly. I am more attracted to the proven simple patterns than a new complicated pattern which is the subject of some magazine article and I actually get more satisfaction catching fish on classic flies. The end for me is: I want to catch fish and I want to tie flies that allow me to enjoy using a fly rod from a kayak. The purpose of my “experimental” tying can be summarized by ?hey that worked, what else will??

As far as being a chore: I absolutely love spinning deer hair but I hate tying flies epoxy flies. If an epoxy fly turned out to be deadly, I would be more inclined to go to the local fly shop and buy them. But if a complicated Whitlock deer hair pattern was the fly to have, I would take a day and tie up a bunch.

Good thread Buddy, I think we all ponder these things at some point. We probably all go through the same stages in fly tying and each stage is important to the development of the individual tyer.

9

I just tie. I tie because it feels good. I tie because it calms me. I tie because it touches my creative self. Sometimes I tie just to tie. Everything else falls into place.

10

I find this an interesting thread that has caused me to think inwardly . :?
Im not sure where my tying is going! :shock:
I surely reguard the folkes that can tie up the really fancy flies as artists in thier own right and admire what they do. 8)
I hope to some day emulate them by getting that much better . :slight_smile:
I like to fish the flies that I tie. I like to fill my fly boxes in the hopes that what Ive churned out will be that days “hot fly” and not too many other folkes have them and I get to hand out a bunch ( pay back for the charity of strangers). There have been those days. My best day of doing that dont ya know the flies were simple little things.Three minutes apiece to tie them but that day they were king.
Being an advanced beginner I havent the mental reach to dream up my own concoctions, but enjoy making copies , dont we all?
Im not an artist , tying for arts sake.
I just do it to save a buck( Yeah , right)
(Hundreds and hundreds of dollars later he said). :lol:

11

I’ve only been tying for about 3 months, and have just gotten past the “fluff on a hook” stage.
I have a hard time sticking with a pattern for more than 2 or 3 flies. I think to myself, “OK, that’s nifty, but what if I tried this?”
I tie because I’m too cheap to spend money (and time) ordering flies from a company thru the net. Especially when I can tie the relatively simple flies I fish with.
I enjoy the process of creating flies out of a pile of “stuff and a hook”. Although I rarely end up tying what I started out after.
I started with a kit from cabellas with all the gear and materials to tie a couple dozen flies.
I enjoy supplementing my materials with other, non-flyshop goodies. It’s both a matter of creativity and necessity. Here in SE Texas, the only place I can get my materials is the local gander mountain, and the choices are rather limited. So I have a vintage 1980’s rabbit-fur coat from Goodwill, a bunch of walmart craft shop bits and other such necessities. Its amazing what you can come up with if you have to.
I see tying as a natural extension of the fly-fishing experience. Once I decided I wanted to fish with a flyrod, I knew I would end up tying.

Kirk

12

Hey Buddy,

I like your line of questioning, hope I help answer your question.

I am heading in the direction of a more experienced tier. Tying for me is like a practice, I know I am getting better. I learn to tie the flies I need to, to catch fish in my area or the area that I am going to fish. Might sound dumb but I get a better feeling of achievement if the fly I?m tying is a tougher pattern?

I am always willing to learn and like to be challenged. Not a big fan of shortcuts, but believe in the best way to do something. The best way would directly relate to what I want to achieve and is conducive to my goal, more fish.

I love to share the flies I tie and hear the stories of the fish they?ve caught.

Intrigue is what got me started, marveled is what keeps me going. As I said before it?s a practice, a practiced art.

Respectfully,
Sean

13

My school of thought is that I tend to tie simple flies because I will fish tighter locations with a fly that only took 5 minutes or less to tie as I don’t mind losing those as much. This in my estimation makes you a better fisherman if you know in advance that you’ll be losing flies. JMHO!

Ray

14

Ray,
That is a good point! Once I started tying my flies I felt more relaxed about losing them. My favorite thing about tying my flies was customizing and experimenting and perfecting a fly that no one else had.
Doug

15

I have a hard time sticking with a pattern for more than 2 or 3 flies.

Kirk,

Try a swap or 2. It is a great way to force yourself into tying more, and you won’t believe how well your tying skills will improve. Plus you will get a set of flies to copy and learn from.

For myself, I don’t tie anything that I’m not going to fish with or submit in a swap. I don’t do fancy at all because I don’t have the patience or talent. But tying something that will catch fish is where I get the most fulfillment.

16
  1. Overall I tend to tie simple flies. I also tie flies to meet a need or solve a problem. For example how a fly moves in the water, how fast or slow a fly sinks, how a fly is balanced, how weedless or snag proof it is, hooking percentage, durability, and most important does it catch fish even on tough days.
    I love learning new techniques , but only if it helps me solve a problem.
    Once I solve a problem (ie i work a pattern out ) i am not a very good production tier. I tie about 15 dozen flies a year comprized of a handful of patterns in addition to any trial patterns that come and go.
    65% of the flies I give away primarily to a retired fishing buddy who fishes every day that it is possible as long as is possible. I do my best to use the remainder flies on the 75 plus, 2 to 4 hour outings a year.
    I am primarily a warmwater fisherman now although we do fish for trout some in the wi
17

The nut shell answer would have to be that I seek out or try in my own tying, To find the best pattern’s I can for whatever fishing I’m doing at the moment…These pattern’s can range for say an Al’s too simple pattern to some quite elaborate exparimentations that are worth the extra time and trouble on the stream…But, I do try for the simplest pattern’s I can get…But again, Simple to some may not be simple to those who have been at this a while…My one and only reason for keeping things relatively simple is that tree’s tend to move and jump out at a back cast at the most inoppertune(sp) times…I know it’s not MY casting. :lol:

18

:?
I don’t understand why but I find I am fascinated and am pursuing the smaller flies.
Now I am working on 24’s and about ready to find some smaller hooks.
As an aside I have become “uncomfortable” tying anything larger than a 16.
Strange HUH!
Bill

19

Hi Buddy!
Great topic.
Mostly I tie the fly to copy the bug to catch the fish.
oft times it requires more than one style of tie to fool the fish…especially if they are educated.

I fished Blue Rock at Penns creek this morning. Penns is a bug factory and today saw midges…cream and black, 22 and 24 respectively,
crane flies in both pale yellow and orange…14 and 16 respectively, caddis …hatching and ovipositing…size 16. March Brown spinners ovipositing…10 and 12…and all this BEFORE the sulphers started coming off!

I have in my fly box patterns to imitate all these bugs…and in several styles…parachutes,catskill ties, upside down ties, comparaduns…etc. etc…and a couple of ties that were once popular, but have fallen out of favor.

This time of year on Penns it seems that each fish wants something different.
so, i tie to anticipate the needs of the day.

sometimes I think it would be easier to bring my tying kit streamside and just tie for the day.

So…my flies are simple and complex.
That said…i try to dress each fly to the best of my ability…I do this out of respect for the fish.

even with catch and release, the fish risks his life for our sport. the least I can do is put in a bit of time and effort to dress the best fly possible.

Best,
Black Gnat

20

My goal is to tie flies that are balanced properly, look good and catch fish, but aren’t so labor intensive that I’m overly upset when they break off on a rock or in a tree. Likewise, I need to tie a wide enough diversity of flies to not be without the right fly when I’m on the water (yeah, like THAT will ever happen!). In doing so, it is a relaxing and enjoyable hobby that keeps me close to the sport when I’m not able to get on the water.

I have found that joining the swaps has improved my tying, in that usually I would sit down and tie only 5 or 6 of a pattern before moving on. Now I tie 5 or 6 to get comfortable before tying the dozen needed for the swap. By the time I’m done, I’ve improved my technique and efficiency.