To tie for
With these new accessories, it won’t take long to restock your fly boxes
Whether you’re a beginner or expert tier, this collection of new tying paraphernalia promises to help you while away those snowy evenings until opening day.
ENCOUNTER SUPER SLIM TOOL SET
US$29, Orvis
Key features: Includes bobbin, scissors, bodkin, whip-finish knot-tying tool and hackle pliers; nested in a slim-profile case.
The promise: “Five essential tools to start tying like a pro.”
CROWN VISE
$59.99 to $79.99, Superfly International
Key features: Steel tension jaws hold hooks from sizes 18 to 2/0; adjustable head angle, rotation and height; comes with a heavy pedestal base shown or C-clamp.
The promise: “The perfect tool for everyday fly tying.”
ADJUSTABLE MAGNETIC BOBBIN
$60, Tiemco
Key features: Innovative, premium-quality bobbin controls thread tension with magnetic force; vertically adjustable ceramic tube; self-standing design.
The promise: “Low start-up inertia minimizes thread cut.”
TYWHEEL
US$150
TyWheel, www.tywheel.com
Key features: Designed to fit around the shaft of a tying vise, Lazy Susan-style wheel holds tools, hooks and more; magnetic surface; customized attachments available.
The promise: “Transform your vise into a fly-tying machine.”
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing
TIE SCHOOL
The goal of any amateur fly tier should be to produce functional flies of consistent—if not museum—quality. Here are a few tips for the tying bench.
Plan
Save time and improve your craft by tying five or more of the same flies in one sitting. Lay out enough materials and hooks to complete all the flies at once. If you’re tying different sizes of the same pattern, start with the biggest and work your way down to the smallest as you get in the groove.
Produce
Stay organized by keeping the materials to the left of your vise, your tools on the right and a small trash receptacle within easy reach. Tie with good light and a plain background to eliminate glare and shadows, and to avoid eye strain.
WOOLLY BUGGER FLY TYING KIT
$24.99, White River Fly Shop
Key features: Includes all materials and step-by-step instructions for tying size 8 weighted olive Woolly Buggers, one of the world’s best flies.
The promise: “Make 15 great-looking flies.”
THE GO BOX
US$695, Freestone Designs
Key features: Handcrafted portable fly-tying bench with a furniture-quality finish; built-in spool and dubbing holders; springs and magnets to hold tools and materials.
The promise: “Equally at home in the study or streamside.”
MONTANA MONGOOSE
US$233, Griffin Enterprises
Key features: 360-degree rotating vise, with fine-tension screw for resistance control while rotating; tempered steel jaws hold hooks from sizes 28 to 4/0; includes C-clamp, pedestal, bobbin and carrying case.
The promise: “Refined for maximum efficiency.”
RAZOR SCISSORS
US$24.95, Loon Outdoors
Key features: One blade is serrated to eliminate material slip; knurled knob to adjust tension; powder-coated grip; available in four- and five-inch sizes.
The promise: “Hand-honed in the U.S.A.”
