Fly Theory (?)

[Jay Wirth]

I have recently taken a jump into fly tying and am curious to hear others views on tying and patterns. Many books on tying show specific standards for fly patterns. My first pattern I am trying to master is a black ghost. As a streamer there are standards for length of tail, length of wing, specific materials etc... Looking throughout the www and even pattern books from 60s till present show examples that differ from pattern standards for measurement (long wings, long tails, different materials etc...). As a long time jig tier I am comfortable with substituting materials based on availability or expanding on a pattern. I also believe that in many ways variations come about based on a particular persons 'style'.

So my question to those with lots of fly tying experience is: What is a properly tied fly? Is it sticking to the traditional standards? Is it knowing the standards but pushing the boundaries and still making a recognizable and effective fly?

 

[StumpHunter]

I believe in learning to tie flies you need to stick to the traditional standards of how a fly is tied if tying a said fly. If not you are going to miss the "why's" in the way a fly is tied. Myself I enjoy the traditional flies and the history behind them but I also love to change up materials "if" they still work the same in the fly, like say using goose for duck or otter for beaver. All these will work the same in the water but gives a different look and may work better on my fishing waters than the traditional fly.
You will find that traditional fly tyers think there is only one way to tie a fly unlike jig tyers where we like to use many materials in our jigs.
FAOL has a base of the worlds best fly tyers, that is the place to learn. Check out (Fly Tying) http://www.flyanglersonline.com/

 

[LedHed]

I understand the principle of staying with the traditional materials for the traditional fly - and that is how to learn to tye correctly. However - change is good.

I learned to tye a PT nymph the traditional pattern - saw the electric butt PT - and tyed a variation of that. Went to the Sierras with a friend & his FF club. Fished a stretch of a creek and nobody hooked up with traditional flies - me the rookie was dabbing little pockets (casting sucks) and getting hit and managed to hook one on the EBPT. Got stink eye from all lot of people...

 

[LedHed]

How do you register on FAOL now?

 

[CrappieHappy]

How do you register on FAOL now?

http://flyanglersonline.com/bb/

 

[LedHed]

thnx

 

[quivira kid]

I think you have to consider two things: whether the materials are tied in a specific way because of how it looks/acts, or was it availability? By availability, I mean was that the only material available, and was that possibly the way the tiers in the region or style knew how to tie? They didn't have the internet to search the world at their fingertips.... they had local and regional resources. I can tie a pretty mean looking bucktail and bunny strip bait fish pattern, but one made of Puglisi fibers sheds water on false casts, making casting way easier.

I'd say do what you like. As long as you're catching fish, who is to say it is wrong? Might not be traditional, but it will still be effective.



Side note: careful over there on FAOL..... there are a few guys who really like themselves that post there.

 

[StumpHunter]

While on FAOL check out my pic on the Home page. I took the picture while fly fishing on the Chattooga River in January 2012. It was cold that day and the bite was slow but very enjoyable day with not another fisherman around

 

[AtticaFish]

I end up tying one or two in the 'standards' they were made, then end up changing the patterns to my liking so they catch fish in my waters..... and how i (poorly) cast my fly rod. Always fun to adjust a size 1/0 saltwater pattern down to #12 carp pattern.

 

[smallmouth]

When it comes to streamers your jig tying experience and creativity will allow you to tie many effective flies. Traditional ties work but I tend to use them as styles which are open to my interpretation. I float tube a few still waters for rainbows and most of the fish are caught and released. My creations most times work better than the patterns that the trout have seen ad nauseum.

I totally agree with this opinion........

"I'd say do what you like. As long as you're catching fish, who is to say it is wrong? Might not be traditional, but it will still be effective."

God Bless.
Don