Fly Tying Materials and Supplies
Feather Craft’s fly tying materials & supplies represent the highest quality and widest selection anywhere in fly tying. It's literally in our name. Since 1955, we’ve built our reputation on sourcing the highest-quality feathers, furs, hair, dubbing, synthetics, hooks, beads, wire, thread, ribbing, adhesives, and tools used by serious fly tiers around the world. We proudly carry materials from the industry’s top brands, including Hareline Dubbin, Fulling Mill, MFC, Semperfli, Wapsi, and more ensuring true colors, reliable sizing, and professional-grade quality across every category. Our longevity isn’t marketing—it’s proof. We’ve outlasted trends, tested generations of materials, and continue to set the standard for fly tying materials anywhere.
Latest Fly Tying Blog Posts
Fly Tying Bead Size to Hook Size Guide
Simplify your fly tying! Our bead to hook size guide helps you match beads to hooks for optimal balance, realistic presentation, and faster sinking nymphs.
The Underrated Workhorse: Pine Squirrel
Discover why pine squirrel is a must-have fly tying material. Perfect for small streamers, leeches, and nymphs with lifelike, natural movement.
Do Fly Colors Make a Difference?
The Peculiar Life of the Fly Tyer and Angler
Whiting Farms Grading System
The Mosquito Dry | An Overlooked Summer Fare
Fly Tying Brands We Carry
Fly Tying Resources
Fly Tying Thread Chart
Choosing the right fly tying thread is one of the most critical—and most misunderstood—decisions at the vise. Thread choice affects far more than durability alone; it determines how materials seat, how cleanly a fly is built, how much bulk is introduced, and how well a pattern holds up through repeated fish.
Fly Tying Hook Chart
Selecting the right fly hook is one of the most important decisions in fly tying. Hook style affects how a fly rides in the water, how materials behave, and how quickly a pattern sinks. The Feather Craft Hook Comparison Chart was created to remove guesswork by organizing fly hooks by function and fishing application.
Fly Tying Bead to Hook Guide
When it comes to fly tying, matching the right bead to your hook can make a huge difference in how your nymphs sink and present in the water. Too small a bead and your fly might drift unnaturally; too large, and it can look bulky or affect the hook’s action. This guide helps you choose the perfect bead size for your hook.
Fly Tying FAQ's
Find clear, expert answers to the most common fly tying questions—from choosing the right materials and tools to understanding techniques, patterns, and material performance. Backed by decades of experience since 1955, this FAQ is designed to help fly tiers at every level tie better flies with confidence and precision.
What is the difference between natural and synthetic fly tying materials?
Natural fly tying materials—such as feathers, fur, hair, and quill—offer organic texture, natural taper, and lifelike movement that is difficult to replicate. Materials like hackle, marabou, deer hair, and pheasant tail have inherent properties that influence flotation, motion, and silhouette in ways fish instinctively recognize.
Synthetic fly tying materials provide consistency, durability, and color stability across batches. They excel when uniformity matters or when tying flies that must withstand repeated strikes, abrasive mouths, or saltwater environments. Many modern patterns rely on synthetics for strength and repeatability while still incorporating natural materials for realism.
Most effective flies use a deliberate combination of both. Understanding when to use natural versus synthetic materials allows fly tiers to control performance, durability, and appearance with precision.
Where can I learn more about selecting fly tying materials?
Our Fly Tying Resources are built to answer real questions fly tiers encounter at the vise. You’ll find detailed tools like our Hook Comparison Chart, covering multiple brands and hook styles, including barbless options for catch-and-release fishing.
Our Hook Comparison Chart breaks down hook design and function, making it an ideal starting point for new tiers. The Bead & Hook Size Chart helps match beads to hooks with precision, and our Fly Tying Thread Chart clarifies the strengths and applications of the threads we carry. These references exist to make material selection faster, clearer, and more repeatable.
Are fly tying kits available?
Yes. We offer a range of fly tying kits designed to eliminate guesswork and get you tying efficiently. Kits may include essential tools such as a vise, scissors, and bobbin, or complete material assortments for specific patterns—hooks, thread, feathers, dubbing, and synthetics selected to work together. Options range from beginner setups to advanced pattern kits, covering dry flies, nymphs, and streamers.
All-in-one kits are ideal for new fly tiers who want a proven starting point, as well as experienced anglers looking to add reliable patterns to their rotation without sourcing materials individually.
How do I choose colors for my flies?
Color selection should be driven by visibility, contrast, and realism—not guesswork. Start by matching the natural insects or forage present, then adjust based on water clarity, light conditions, and depth. Subtle, natural tones excel in clear water and pressured fisheries, while darker or brighter colors create contrast in stained water or low light.
Confidence matters. If a color combination consistently produces, it’s worth tying in multiple variations. Over time, experience—and paying attention to conditions—will guide better decisions than any fixed rule.
How do I choose fly tying materials for trout fishing?
Material selection starts with imitation. Identify the insects or forage trout are feeding on, then choose materials that match size, profile, and behavior. Dry flies require lightweight hackle, fur, and fibers that support flotation and a natural footprint. Presentation matters, and your rod, line, and leader should complement the flies you’re tying.
For nymphs and jig-style patterns, materials like pheasant tail, wire, and tungsten beads help flies sink quickly and maintain a controlled drift. Gear should always match the species and water—heavy saltwater setups are unnecessary for small-stream trout. We offer fly tying materials suited to both freshwater and saltwater applications, designed to integrate seamlessly with your tackle.
Where can I learn more about selecting fly tying materials?
Our fly tying resources are built to answer real questions fly tiers encounter at the vise. You’ll find detailed tools like our Hook Comparison Chart, covering multiple brands and hook styles, including barbless options for catch-and-release fishing.
Our Hook guide breaks down hook design and function, making it an ideal starting point for new tiers. The Bead & Hook Size Chart helps match beads to hooks with precision, and our Fly Tying Thread Chart clarifies the strengths and applications of the threads we carry. These references exist to make material selection faster, clearer, and more repeatable.
What equipment and materials do I need to start fly tying?
At its core, fly tying requires hooks, thread, feathers, fur, and dubbing. From there, materials expand based on the flies you intend to tie. Dry flies often call for hackle, yarn, foam, or lightweight synthetics, while nymphs and streamers rely on materials like pheasant tail, wire, flash, and tungsten beads for weight and profile.
Some materials—deer hair, for example—are used across multiple fly styles. A solid vise, quality scissors, a bobbin, and a dependable adhesive such as head cement or epoxy are essential for producing durable flies. We carry these fundamentals, along with specialized materials, for tiers at every level.
