Learn to Tie a Fly!

About 12 years ago, my wife encouraged me to take an adult education course offered at the local high school.  The course was entitled “Fly tying for Salmon and Steelhead”.  The instructor was Daryl Crowley, whom I found out later to be a fly tying/fishing fanatic.  Little did my wife or I know that I too would become a fanatic.  Daryl infected me with a disease that at times, keeps me awake at night.  Daryl taught me to tie a few simple flies, but more importantly, shared his enthusiasm for creating flies that are irresistible to fish. 

The art of tying flies is similar to a woman dressing to attract a man.  Most of my flies are more or less a caricature of the natural that attracts the fish to make its fatal mistake.  In my case, rarely fatal is the norm as I release all but a few caught fish.  My wife was not so gracious to release me once I was hooked by our natural attraction.  My wife often puts on make up, including red lipstick before a night on the town.  Similarly, many of my flies have a hint of red somewhere in their protocol.  I am careful not to use too much red as the end result may be garish and be a turn off to the fish – just as too much lipstick could be unattractive.  As my wife dresses, she is sure to show enough skin to keep me interested, many times accentuating her natural beauty, usually her legs, back, or neck.  Likewise, my flies usually have legs and a tail.  Of course, I choose materials that impart a seductive sway as they float thru the water column.  My wife still floats, not on air as she once did, but more often now on a lounger in the lake on a warm summer day, and her tail still has a seductive sway.  She also tends to add some flash to her ensemble, usually in the form of a ring, necklace, or bracelet.  Guess what? I add a little flash to most of my flies with a variety of materials, sometimes gold or silver.  Once again, I am careful not to over do it, too much would not only attract attention, but go beyond good taste.  Just as a rich aunt that wears too much make up, too much perfume, and too much jewelry the end result is in no way attractive.  The fly has just enough red and flash to bring attention to its true natural beauty that the fish cannot refuse to indulge.

The fly tier strives to create the holy grail of flies, the fly that is irresistible to fish.  As we all know the Holy Grail does not exist, just as there is no woman that all men find irresistible (Pamela Anderson comes close), there is no fly that all fish find irresistible.  Just the same, that does not keep us fly tiers from trying to blend all of the materials at our hand to create a fly that the vast majority simply cannot turn down.  I am currently tying a fly used in Alaska called a Popsicle.  It is a combination of a bright orange tail, a fuchsia skirt, and a tasteful strand or two of crystal flash.  It’s a killer on the salmon I fish for in Alaska.  There are times that 3 to 5 salmon will chase it, much like adolescent men will flock to a burlesque show.  My wife says it looks like something a floozy would wear.  I don’t know but the fish sure seem to like it.

I would encourage anyone who enjoys fly fishing to try their hand at fly tying.  There are a number of ways to get started.  Adult education courses are available in most communities, fly shops offer courses, and fly tying clubs are all good options.  Dave Whitlock once wrote that if he had to choose between fly tying and fly fishing, he would have to choose tying.   I would agree.  Creating a great fly that fools fish is very satisfying.  When I create a fly and give it to a friend who catches a fish on my fly, I secretly take credit for that catch.  So by tying a great fly, I can catch fish vicariously.  Learn to tie flies, it will easily double the satisfaction you receive from the sport.

Paul Drewry

p.s.  Daryl Crowley remains a mentor and good friend.  He is still addicted to rabbit strip and uses it in most of his flies.  I wonder if his wife knows how seductive she would be if Victoria’s Secret made a line of rabbit fur clothing?