A source for fly tying information with valuable links to some of the world’s best tiers.
I will be teaching the Fly Tying Classes for the San Jose Flycasters starting in early 2025. The classes have a long tradition starting with Dick Nelson. Bill Zuravleff has devoted many years teaching the classes following in Dick Nelson’s tradition.
I am a lifelong fly tier who started tying when I was a young boy. I find tying relaxing and fulfilling. There is a saying…”More fish are caught at the tying bench than on the stream”. I can confirm this to be the case. When things prevent me from being on the water fishing, I can always dream of my next adventure while filling my boxes for the next season.
Gathered here are a variety of lessons and tips about fly tying. These lessons are by no means my own…I am including many links to some true masters of fly tying on youTube videos from all over the world. I am also adapting many of the lessons from Dick Nelson with an eye to modernizing some of the lessons since patterns and materials have changed rather dramatically in the last 20 or so years.
I have a bit of a tremor and nervous shake. If I can tie flies, you can too. I hope to encourage you to learn and enjoy the craft of fly tying. Tying is fun, relaxing and after some initial modest expense it will save you money.
One of my personal motivations is to save money…though that should not be your primary motivation..I am just a tightwad who hates to spend money. That said, many fly shops sell flies that are frankly over dressed and over priced. For many effective flies…I am talking trout here since I am a trout guy…some of the most effective flies are very quick and easy to tie. The lessons you will learn here will provide all the necessary tools to tie any fly for any fish if you so desire. You will not only save some money, but I fully anticipate you will have more pleasure in catching fish on flies that you created at the fly tying bench.
As you learn to tie, you will also expand your knowledge about fly fishing and why some flies work better than others. There is a lot of joy to be had planning your next adventure. That includes filling your boxes with flies that you believe will work best on your chosen waters. Enjoy the journey.
Tight lines!
Phil Brouwer
A tip about watching the embedded movies on this site. Click the enlarge button on the video to view full screen without ads. Click the enlarge button again to return to this site. Enjoy!
