fly tying

Build a better fly tying bench with the tools that actually matter. Learn what vises, scissors, bobbins, bodkins, stackers and other tools do and when to upgrade.

Five natural fly tying materials cover an enormous amount of trout tying. Learn what pheasant tail, hackle, peacock herl, elk hair and pine squirrel actually do.

A fly tying bobbin controls spool resistance, thread path and hanging tension. Learn how ceramic tubes, drag systems, weight and size affect thread control.

Soft hackle flies are simple, deadly, and timeless. Learn how to tie and fish soft hackles, when they excel, and why they remain one of the most effective wet flies for trout.

Our bead to hook size guide helps you match beads to hooks for optimal balance, realistic presentation, and faster sinking nymphs.

Discover why pine squirrel is a must-have fly tying material. Perfect for small streamers, leeches, and nymphs with lifelike, natural movement.

Guest blogger Clint Bova shares his quilled mosquito dry fly, including the tying sequence and complete recipe using quills, CDC and Aero Dry Wing.

We break down the Stonfo Steeltech Bobbin's 35-gram stainless design, tension system, balance and why it excels at split-thread dubbing.

Choose a fly tying vise by the mechanics that matter: hook security, jaw clearance, rotary function, mounting style, ergonomics and serviceability.

The Crackleback pattern has its roots in the Ozark region of Missouri, where it was initially designed by Ed Story, a prominent figure in Midwestern fly fishing circles. Story, a Missouri-based fly tier and founder of Feather-Craft Fly Fishing, was known for his contributions to fly design and his commitment to creating simple but effective patterns. He developed the Crackleback in the 1960s to mimic a wide range of insects, especially in trout streams around the Ozarks.