Introduction to Beginners Fly Tying

Welcome to the world of fly tying. This is a great hobby - I know, I have been tying flies for over 30 years. Fly fishing is my passion and fly tying takes it to the next level.

This booklet has been created as an addition to the club's "Introduction to Fly Tying" booklet. It contains a lot of good information, but I thought it was time we updated it.

The Beginner Fly Tying Course that I'll be teaching consists of 7 flies, although the booklet contains 8 flies. I'll be teaching the following patterns:

Woolly Bugger
Marabou Leech
Beadhead Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Chernobyl Ant
CDC and Elk
Parachute Blue Winged Olive Mayfly

There is also a bonus fly in the booklet - the Mohair Leech. Once you tie a Marabou Leech, you will have no problem with this fly.

These flies are what anglers are using in local waters, both rivers and lakes, to catch trout, whitefish and Arctic grayling.

I have listed the materials for each fly in the order in which they are tied onto the hook. Good patterns are written in this way to make it easier for you, the fly tier. You will note that I have not listed the thread size or colour - for beginners I recommend black 6/0 thread. When you get to tying smaller flies, those that are size 16 or smaller, an 8/0 thread is better. For now, let's start with 6/0 as it is a good starting point.

Also, because of the wide variety of hooks available today, I have attached a hook comparison chart. For example, some of the fly patterns list a Tiemco 5210. This will mean nothing to you until you use the Hook Comparison Chart to understand that this is a standard dry fly hook. If you prefer to use the less expensive Mustad hooks, you can simply do so by choosing the Mustad 94840 hook.

A special thanks goes out to Court Mackid. He photographed the flies presented in this booklet.

Anyway, enough said ---- let's start tying.
Dennis Killips 2005