Fly tying is a discipline that a lot of fly fisherman enjoy, especially during the close season to top up their supplies. It’s an obvious extension of the sport requiring different skills, abilities and tools, but in effect it’s a completely separate hobby, a distinct craft with definite skills, there are even fly tyers who never go fishing with their flies because the creation of the fly is all the achievement they require!

Fly tying isn’t for everyone but if you...

• want a specific fly to match a hatch
• are looking for an enjoyable extra hobby
• are sick and tired of paying £1 per fly at a shop
• are frustrated by shop bought flies falling apart

then fly tying is for you.

The reality is a lot of flies can be very easy to tie with even the more complicated ones not being that challenging once you’ve got the skills required. Fly fishing is an enjoyable sport that requires the mastery of a few basic skills such as casting to get it right, and fly tying is exactly the same.

From the very basics of joining your thread to the hook, binding down materials, proportions, spinning deer hair, binding down wings, dubbing, and the dreaded whip finish, these are all skills that need to be learned. However, like fly casting, with a few simple lessons the basics can be taught, and then you’re free to explore the areas of fly tying of interest to you.

Costs can be much cheaper as there aren’t any fishery costs to pay, and as I can accommodate there are no travelling costs either.

Fees are £20 per hour with a minimum of four hours

Most people normally take a full day, and I find by the end of a day they’re charging ahead trying new things full of enthusiasm and confidence. I can travel to you if required, but then the costs might have to increase due to travelling and you would need to have good sized work area that two people could work at with good lighting. I provide all the required materials, tools, hooks etc, lighting if required too, all you need to provide is yourself!

*I wouldn’t advise buying a ‘beginners’ outfit before the lesson as normally they’re full of poor quality materials, materials you’d never use, and a cheap vice that it’s nothing short of a frustration for a beginner. I’ll provide all that’s required, then after the lesson I can advise accordingly and you’ll be in a much better position to gauge what you need before you buy.

Please do not hesitate to contact Darren for further details.