Fly Tying Tools
This section provides information about fly tying tools. A good set of fly tying tools make the fly tyers life a liitle easier. While it is not necessary to have all the tools described below, they will help you produce neat, well-tied flies.
Fly Tying Vise as viewed from above
Fly Tying Vise
The vise holds the hook while you tie the various materials on it that make the fly. The vise should be sturdy and not move while you are tying the fly. This means that it must have a heavy base, or be capable of being clamped on something firm. The vise should be adjustable in many dimensions so that you can position the hook in the best position for you to see and tie the fly. The best vises have rotating barrels, so that you can rotate the barrel while head cement or lacquer dries.
Bobbins
Bobbins
The Bobbin holds your spool of thread. The bobbin provides some tension allowing you to feed out the thread in a controlled manner as you wind the thread over feathers or hair and around the hook. The tension also allows you to let go of the spool and let it hang below the fly without the thread unraveling.
Bodkins
Bodkin
A Bodkin is needle with a handle. It has many uses, including applying head cement. Another use is freeing trapped hairs or hackle feathers.
Scissors
Scissors
The scissors should be sharp, and have fine points, so that you can cut in tight places. They should have large finger holes.
Actually you should have two pair of scissors. The second pair should be a heavier pair that you can use for cutting feather stalks, bunches of hair, and other heavier materials.
Hackle Pliers
Hackle Pliers
Hackle pliers are used to clamp onto the end of a feather, like a hackle, that you want to wind around the hook like you do when tying a "Woolly Bugger". Hackle pliers come in a variety of forms. The most important quality of hackle pliers is that they have smooth precise jaws that grip the hackle, or any other material firmly, without damaging it.
Hair Stacker
Hair Stacker
When you cut a bunch of bucktail, put the whole bunch in the hair stacker, blunt ends first. When you tap the stacker on a hard surface the blunt ends fall to the bottom and align.
Whip Finishing Tool
Whip Finishing Tool
This device helps you get a good tight
tie-off of the thread
at the head of the fly. I find that with a little practice, you can do a whip finish better and
faster, using your fingers and a bodkin.
Fly-tying materials and tools are available from many Fly Shops, Bait and Tackle Shops, and mail-order and online companies.
Link to: