The object of this book will be throughout its entirety to teach in a
practical manner the art of Fly Tying in all its branches. The
principles used herein, and the methods of construction employed, are
those used by the professional fly-tier who practices fly-making for the
sake of art, and tries to achieve with each finished fly, a masterpiece.
None of the short-cuts employed by those whose business is quantity
production will be attempted. Only the making of flies of the very
highest quality and most durable construction will be attempted.
In describing the principals of construction with the following
illustrations, it will be impossible to describe in detail each
standard pattern; however, it must be remembered that the fundamentals
applying to each style of fly will be the principal bases of
construction of all flies of that style, and that the use of different
body materials, hackles, wings or size will simply change the pattern
and not the fundamental points of construction.
Dressings for hundreds of standard patterns will be found fully
described elsewhere in this book. For clearness {viii} of understanding
please note that where a fly is described in this book as having grey
wings, or red body, etc., and no particular feather or material is
specified, it means that any feather or body material may be used. When
a particular feather, body, hackle, tail, etc., must be used it will be
so stated.
Each year a steadily increasing number of anglers are learning to tie
their own flies. Not many years ago, there were few in America outside
of professional tiers who understood the art. Now on each angling trip,
at least one is sure to be met, who has discovered the great thrill of
taking fish on flies of his own tying.
To those who are anticipating the making of their own flies for the
first time, there is the opportunity to exercise one's ingenuity in the
creation of new patterns. To prolong your fishing seasons throughout the
long winter evenings, in the confines of your own den, where, with a
supply of fur, feathers and tinsel, can be enjoyed a profitable,
artistic and pleasant hobby. And the thrill of seeing in each finished
imitation of Ephemeridae, Muscidae and Formicidae, a masterpiece to
bring the joy of living and dreams of spring to the angler's heart.
Beginners are requested to reject any inclination to skip over the
first part of this book, nor to attempt the tying of the more delicate
and difficult dry flies before they have had sufficient preliminary
training. {ix} This book is so written that the easier flies to make are
the first encountered. Although you may not expect to use Bucktail
Streamers, the fundamental principles employed in their construction,
the knack of handling fur, feathers and tinsel, will be acquired, and a
sense of proportion will be realized. I sincerely encourage you to begin
at the beginning, and by careful and patient study the satisfactory
result will be the ability to make flies that are second to none.
The illustrations in this book are all drawn to correct proportions
except the tying silk, which is purposely drawn large for clearness
of illustration. Follow these illustrations, and begin by making a
very careful study of Diagram 3, "Bucktails" (page 15). Here will
be learned how to overcome some of the difficulties encountered by
beginners. Many of the fundamentals learned in tying Bucktails are
used in tying all of the flies to follow. For instance, in putting
the wings or tail on a wet fly, the same method of holding the wing
between the thumb and finger and making the loose loop, are explained
as when putting the hair or tail on a Bucktail. Putting the wings on
a fly correctly seems to be the greatest difficulty encountered by
the beginner. Consequently, the necessity of carefully studying
Figs. 4, 5, 10, and 11 of Diagram 3 cannot be too greatly emphasized.
Before tying any other part of the fly, place a bare hook in the
vise, and practice tying on the tail, {x} and then the wings, until you
have mastered this knack, and have the wings and tail setting straight
on top of the hook, as in Figs. 4, 5, 10 and 11 of Diagram 3. First
using hair and then a section of feather.
Other faults of the beginner where literal descriptions are followed
entirely or where illustrations are not drawn to correct proportions or
followed closely are as follows. The wings are usually too large, and
much too long for the size of the hook, and the tail is most always too
long, as are the hackles. The bodies seldom have a nicely tapered shape,
and most always start too far back on the hook shank. The ribbing is
seldom put on in even tight spirals. The hair on hair flies is always
too long, and too much is used. The head is too large, because the tying
silk is not wound tightly and smoothly. The eye of the hook on the
finished fly is filled with hair, tying silk, hackles and cement.
I do not mean to criticize these common mistakes of the beginner.
Instead, I merely wish to call them to your mind, and assure you that
they are not necessary, and will not happen if you will diligently
follow instructions in this book.
{xi}
[Illustration: Diagram 2. Page sized drawings of wet flies and feathers.]
{xii}
[Illustration: Page sized photograph of tools.]
{1}
TOOLS, HOOKS AND
MATERIALS
Very few tools are required by the Fly-Tier. Those that are necessary
are inexpensive, and most of them can be homemade. However, as with any
other craft good tools are an asset. I advise the beginner to procure
the following: