6 tips for tying better flies (and doing it faster, too)

#1  TIE MULTIPLE FLIES AT A TIME

The best way to become proficient at a pattern is by tying a bunch of flies in a row. If you make 10 flies of the same pattern and line them up as they come off the vise, I guarantee the last ones will be neater and more uniform than the first few. But there’s a caveat: When you’re tying the first one or two, take your time. Make sure you’re putting the fly together correctly and in the most efficient way possible (or at least in a way that works for you). Then once you’ve got the hang of it, crank out the rest. If you’re tying different sizes of the same fly, start with the largest and work your way down. Smaller flies are more challenging, so warm up on the big ones.