From thread control to spinning and trimming deer hair tying techniques are the essential foundation of fly tying skills. It is human nature to want to be competently efficient at any task we undertake from the very beginning. However, even with a high level of natural aptitude this is not a realistic expectation. Acquiring basic tying techniques is essential for progression to fly tying competence.
The most satisfying way to learn basic techniques is to be able to tie useable flies along the way. By starting with the most basic of patterns a beginning fly tyer can learn and build a collection of flies at the same time. Tie these five proven fly patterns to learn basic techniques that are used in thousands of other fly patterns.
The San Juan Worm
San Juan worm is a fly that every fly angler should have in a collection. This fly was developed on the San Juan River in northwest New Mexico. This fly has accounted for innumerable trout, panfish, bass and even saltwater species of fish.
The simplicity of this fly makes it sheer genius in design, and the design makes it absolutely a breeze to tie. The effectiveness of the fly makes it essential to a well-rounded fly box. To the beginning fly tyer the San Juan worm is an exercise in thread handling and control and a great go-to fly.
The Brassie
Also known as the South Platte Brassie the brassie was originated by a trio of Colorado fly tyers for fishing the South Platte River. This simple pattern represents a midge larva. Fished in rivers and lakes where midge populations are present this fly can be deadly on trout, panfish and perch.
The wrapping of the wire body is a useful technique in many patterns that use a wire abdomen. This is also the technique used for wrapping weighted under-bodies on countless fly patterns.
The Pheasant Tail Nymph
Whether you’re fly fishing for trout, panfish, bass or carp the pheasant tail nymph can be a highly effective pattern. This is just one of many flies designed by the late Frank Sawyer (1906-1980). Tied to imitate a mayfly nymph the pheasant tail has saved many fishless days for countless anglers through the years.
Though there are many re-creations of this pattern the original remains the easiest to tie. Using a fine copper wire and five to seven pheasant tail barbules even a novice can tie a true staple of modern fly fishing tradition. Though this pattern has been through many changes over the years the expressions that remain true to the original are still the best overall.
The Wooly Bugger
The wooly bugger is attributed by many fly anglers to be the most effective all-around fly ever fished. This fly pattern, tied in an array of colors and sizes, has taken every freshwater gamefish that swims and a great many saltwater species. I have personally taken 16 different species of fish with this pattern ranging from yellow perch to redfish (red drum).
Tied in varying styles this pattern can allow a beginning tyer to practice working with marabou, chenille, palmered hackle and ribbing. This is a fly that every freshwater and saltwater fly angler should always have on hand.
The Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear
Though the origins of this fly are at the very least cloudy the effectiveness of this pattern is unprecedented. Used to imitate both caddis fly and mayfly nymphs the gold ribbed hare’s ear is another staple of fly fishing tradition. This fly too has seen many re-creations, most likely due to its effectiveness in a wide range of fly fishing situations. Any freshwater fly angler should have at least a few of these flies in their arsenal.
The techniques used to tie this pattern help develop skills with dubbing, wing cases and ribbing. The gold ribbed hare’s ear is considered to be an intermediate pattern in terms of difficulty.
Fly tying can be a very rewarding part of the fly fishing experience. By catching fish on flies an angler has self-tied the satisfaction of fly fishing is raised to a higher level.
Practicing and tying these five flies will help a beginning tyer establish a great foundation in fly tying. At the same time many highly effective flies will have been completed. After learning these basic techniques tyers can easily move on to intermediate tying techniques expanding their accomplishments within the craft of fly tying.
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