They’re called fly tyers because they tie the flies they fish with, but they’re not the only ones capable of making those lures. There are countless ways to create a fly and everyone has their own approach to the process, but there are some supplies that are a must-have for every fly tyer.
We rounded up some of the best fly tying equipment you can find to help you create more realistic, durable and effective fly patterns.
Read on to learn more about our best fly tying equipment picks.
Our Editor’s Best Fly Tying Equipment Reviews
- COMPLETE FLY TYING STARTER SET IN ELEGANT WOODEN BOX: Dive into fly tying with Colorado Anglers' all-in-one kit! Housed in a stylish wooden box, it includes a rotary vise, bobbin, scissors, whip finisher, and essential materials. Ideal for beginners and pros alike, this kit provides everything needed to create effective flies. The wooden box offers a touch of class and keeps tools organized. Start your fly tying journey or elevate your skills with this kit designed for success at every level.
- PREMIUM ROTARY VISE FOR PRECISION TYING: At the heart of this kit is a top-quality rotary fly tying vise, offering 360-degree rotation for precise access to your fly. This feature allows for intricate detailing and perfect proportions in your fly designs. The vise provides stability, while its smooth rotation mechanism ensures effortless adjustments. Elevate your fly tying with a professional-grade tool that combines functionality and durability.
- ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR CRAFTING PERFECT FLIES: Equip yourself with high-quality fly tying tools designed for efficiency and precision. The kit includes a reliable bobbin for smooth thread control, sharp scissors for clean cuts, and a whip finisher for secure knots. These tools work together to help you create flies that not only look great but perform exceptionally on the water. From delicate dry flies to robust streamers, these tools empower you to bring your fly designs to life with ease.
- VERSATILE MATERIALS & SUPPLIES INCLUDED: Unleash your creativity with a variety of fly tying materials. This kit includes feathers, furs, threads, and synthetic materials to craft numerous fly patterns. Experiment with textures and colors to match local hatches or create unique designs. The included head cement ensures your flies stay intact during use. With this comprehensive set, you're ready to tie flies for any fishing situation.
- PERFECT GIFT FOR FLY FISHING ENTHUSIASTS: Looking for the ideal gift for an angler? The Colorado Anglers Fly Tying Kit is the answer! It's a thoughtful gift that offers hours of creative enjoyment and the satisfaction of catching fish on self-tied flies. The wooden box adds a touch of elegance, making it a beautiful addition to any fishing room or study. Whether for birthdays, holidays, or just because, this kit is sure to delight any fly fishing aficionado.
- Complete Fly Tying Kit for Beginners & Experts: This fly tying kit includes 24 essential items, offering everything you need to start creating your own flies, from tools and materials to hooks and comprehensive instructions.
- High-Quality Super AA Fly Tie Vise: Featuring a robust Super AA fly tie vise with a C-clamp, this kit provides a stable and reliable platform for crafting intricate fly patterns
- Essential Fly Tying Tool Kit: Equipped with quality tools like scissors, hackle pliers, hair stacker, bobbin, and bobbin threader, this fly tying tool kit ensures you have the right equipment for any fly design.
- Premium Natural Fly Tying Materials: Includes a diverse selection of high-quality natural fly tying material such as hackle, dubbing, marabou, and other natural fibers, allowing for a wide range of fly creations.
- Perfect Fly Fishing Starter Kit: This versatile kit is ideal for both beginner fly fishing kit and intermediate tiers, providing a comprehensive learning experience with an instruction book and DVD.
- True rotary fly tying vise with two ball bearing housing, extreme smooth and balanced.
- Hardened tool steel jaws fitting 26 to 4/0 hook sizes.
- Arms, bearing housing, handle, shaft and plate are made of hard anodized marine grade Aluminum.
- The brand Kingfisher Fly Fishing is owned by The Kingfisher Fly Shop, based in Missoula, Montana.
- We are an American, brick and mortar store founded in 1997 by two fishing guides. The same two fishing guides run the company today.
- True rotary fly tying vise with two ball bearing housing, extreme smooth and balanced.
- Hardened tool steel jaws fitting 26 to 4/0 hook sizes.
- Arms, bearing housing, handle, shaft and plate are made of hard anodized marine grade Aluminum.
- Comes with a complete Fly Tying tool kit
- The brand Kingfisher Fly Fishing is owned by The Kingfisher Fly Shop, based in Missoula, Montana.Â
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Best, A. K. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 136 Pages - 01/15/1993 (Publication Date) - UNKNO (Publisher)
- Aventik classic wood Fly Tying Tool Caddy, designed by fly tying Specialist, organize in better order of your tools such as scissor, bobbin, whip finisher, glue, hackle pliers, threader and other tinny accessories such as hooks and beads.
- Professional design great improvement in the working bench. Save time from searching around your tools, and more time for tying. Also light weight and easy for travelling. 3pc a set.
- Component A. 9.2 inches x 5.2 inches x 1 inches (23*13*2.5cm). There is a total of 32 openings to store your tools. Extra three large openings for glue bottles.
- Component B. 9.2 inches x 3.4 inches x 0.8 inches (23*8.5*2cm). There is 6 large opennings for hooks & beads, and extra 4 small openings for tools or thread spool bars.
- Component C. 9.2 inches x 1.8 inches x 0.8 inches (23*4.5*2cm). There is 4 large opnenings for hooks & beads, and 5 small openning for tools or thread spool bars.
- Serviceable to Use: our 2-in-1 fly fishing nail knot tool is made of quality stainless steel, with beautiful silver and smooth appearance, not easy to break or rust, not easy to corrode or deform, offering a long service time and providing you with a satisfying using experience
- Practical and Convenient Design: the fishing knot tool can help you to fasten the line firmly in a few minutes and don't worry about the knots coming undone; What's more, the tie fast tool can avoid pain in your fingers and hands, nice accessories for fly fishing anglers
- Multiple Function: this quick knot fishing tool is an essential knot for most fishing lines, helping you to fly fishing successfully, and the fly fishing knot tool can be applied to tie a number of different varieties of secure nail knots
- Compact for Carrying: the quick tie knot tool measures approx. 10 cm/ 3.94 inches in length, and the small size is portable, so that the fly tying tools are convenient to carry without taking up too much space in your bags
- Items Sent to You: there are 3 pieces of fishing hooks knot tying in the package for you, easy to apply and light in weight, sufficient to meet your daily use, replacing and sharing needs
- Super AA Fly Tying Vise
- All purpose Vise
- Full 360 rotation
- Easy to operate
- Great Vise for all levels of Fly Tying
- Precision Hold: Featuring an advanced grip mechanism, our Rotary Fly Tying Vise ensures every hook stays firmly in place without slipping, providing you with a seamless tying experience.Whether you're working with tiny size 28 hooks or robust 4/0s, this vise's grip is unmatched—no slips, no frustration."
- 360° Rotation: The ability to rotate your fly fully and smoothly is essential for intricate tying. This vise offers flawless 360-degree rotation, making your tying faster and more precise—a true game-changer from traditional vises."
- Custom Tension: Every tier has their own touch, and this vise's adjustable tension is perfect for personalizing your setup. It adapts to your style, providing just the right resistance for delicate wraps or firm holds.
- Built to Last: I've taken this vise on countless trips and used it in my daily tying—it's as sturdy as the first day I used it. The craftsmanship is top-notch, making it a durable choice for any serious fly tier.
- Universal Design: From the smallest midges to large streamers, this vise handles it all with ease.And equipped with spare parts of wearing parts, Convenient for your long-term use
- Premium Quality Materials: Our kit includes high-quality feathers and synthetic materials essential for creating beautiful and effective flies.
- Hard-to-Find Feathers: Unique items like peacock blue plumage and golden rooster tippet feathers.
- Bulk Synthetic Rabbit Hair Dubbing: A newly added feature for more versatile and vibrant fly patterns.
- Comprehensive Variety Pack: Over 100 feathers in a wide range of colors and types to suit all your fly-tying needs.
- Stocking Stuffer: Perfect to fill a stocking or under the tree for the fly tier in your life.
Best Fly Tying Equipment Buying Guide
Before choosing the best fly tying equipment you should consider following options:
1. Fly Tying Bench: A fly tying bench is an essential piece of equipment for any fly tyer. When choosing a fly tying bench, make sure that it is compact, sturdy and has a built-in cabinet.
2. Fly Tying Light: You can either choose a simple clamp light or a more advanced LED light. Choose a light that is bright and provides good visibility.
3. Fly Tying Vises: Vises are an essential part of your fly tying equipment. There are three types of fly tying vises: straight, rotary and articulated.
Straight vises are the most affordable and are great for beginners. Rotary vises are ideal for specialized tying. Articulated vises are great for curved flies.
4. Fly Tying Scissors: Scissors are an essential part of any fly fisherman’s kit. Choose a pair of scissors with a sharp blade and a durable tip.
5. Fly Tying Forceps: Forceps are used for a wide variety of tasks, from picking materials to holding materials while they dry. Choose forceps with an ergonomic grip and a smooth lock.
6. Fly Tying Needles: Needles are used to thread materials. They are the first step in tying a wide variety of flies. Choose a needle with a sharp tip and a durable body.
7. Fly Tying Knives: Knives are used for a wide variety of tasks, from cutting materials to sculpting materials. Choose a knife with a sharp blade and a durable body.
8. Fly Tying Bobbin: Bobbins are used to hold thread while you tie flies. They are the second step in tying a wide variety of flies. Choose a bobbin with a smooth rotation and a durable body.
9. Fly Tying Hackle Pliers: Hackle pliers are used to hold and shape hackle. They are used in the tying of several fly patterns. Choose a pair of hackle pliers with an ergonomic grip and smooth jaws.
10. Fly Tying Forceps: Forceps are used for a wide variety of tasks, from picking materials to holding materials while they dry. Choose forceps with an ergonomic grip and a smooth lock.
11. Fly Tying Scissors: Scissors are an essential part of any fly fisherman’s kit. Choose a pair of scissors with a sharp blade and a durable tip.
12. Fly Tying Bobbin: Bobbins are used to hold thread while you tie flies. They are the second step in tying a wide variety of flies. Choose a bobbin with a smooth rotation and a durable body.
13. Fly Tying Knives: Knives are used for a wide variety of tasks, from cutting materials to sculpting materials. Choose a knife with a sharp blade and a durable body.
14. Fly Tying Forceps: Forceps are used for a wide variety of tasks, from picking materials to holding materials while they dry. Choose forceps with an ergonomic grip and a smooth lock.
15. Fly Tying Scissors: Scissors are an essential part of any fly fisherman’s kit. Choose a pair of scissors with a sharp blade and a durable tip.
16. Fly Tying Bobbin: Bobbins are used to hold thread while you tie flies. They are the second step in tying a wide variety of flies. Choose a bobbin with a smooth rotation and a durable body.
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What else you should know about fly tying equipment
1. What are the different pieces of equipment needed for fly tying?
The different pieces of equipment needed for fly tying are: a fly-tying vice, a bobbin, a bodkin, a whip finisher, a hackle pliers, a hair stacker, a dubbing needle, and a dubbing spinner.
2. What is the purpose of each piece of equipment?
1. balance beam – to help with balance and coordination
2. trampoline – to provide a safe place to practice acrobatics and other skills
3. horizontal bar – to help with strength and coordination
4. parallel bars – to help with strength and coordination
3. How do you choose the right fly tying equipment for your needs?
The size and type of fly tying equipment you need depends on the type of flies you want to tie. If you are tying large flies, you will need a larger vise and more powerful tools. If you are tying small flies, you will need a smaller vise and more delicate tools.
4. How do you care for and maintain your fly tying equipment?
Fly tying equipment should be kept clean and dry when not in use. All materials should be stored in a cool, dry place.
5. What are the most common problems with fly tying equipment and how can they be avoided?
The most common problems with fly tying equipment are that the tools can be expensive and that the flies can be delicate and difficult to keep track of. However, both of these problems can be avoided by investing in quality tools and keeping a well-organized fly box.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best fly tying equipment. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best fly tying equipment will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.