Creative Fly Fishing; An Art Form

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FLY TYING; an art form A Beginners Guide to Exploring The Art of Fly Tying as a Creative Outlet MELISSA NIEUWENHUIS

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Creative Fly Tying; An Artform cover design by Melissa Nieuwenhuis Photography and illustrations by Melissa Nieuwenhuis Creative Fly Tying; An Artform, 2020 Copyright Š 2020 by Melissa Nieuwenhuis Design, Incorporated, Wausau, Wisconsin 54403 All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced in any form or my any means without written permission from the publisher Created for ART 412 Advanced Problem Solving System and Strategies University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point Printed by lulu.com

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This book is dedicated to all those who seek out art and creativity in everything they do, even as simple as tying flies. without you, the world would be a less inspiring place.

Special thanks to my best friend, who has the patience to walk through river for hours and not catch a single fish, and yet lacked the patience to tie a single fly. Thanks for lending me your fly-fishing-know-how and spare flies.

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C O NT E N T S INTRODUCTION

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History

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T O O L S 13 M A T E R I A L S 19

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Synthetic Materials

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Natural Materials

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Hooks

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B A S I C T E C H N I Q U E S

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Attaching Thread

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Attaching a Material

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Using a Whip Finisher Tool

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C R E A T I V E P A T T E R N S

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Baby Blue

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Ruby Tule Fuzz Gadget

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Verde Sujeto

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7 / INTRODUCTION

T HE WO RL D OF T YI NG

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T HE FLY F I S H E R MA N SKI LL NO L ON G E R E X P L O R I N G F LY T Y I N G A S A N A R T F O R M R A T H E R T H A N FOR INTENDED USE OPENS UP THE SKILL TO ALL THOSE W H O S E E K C R E AT I V I T Y I N U N O R T H O D O X P R A C T I C E S

Since the thirteenth century, fishermen across

from this consistency, and instead focus on the

the globe have fabricated exquisite (and small)

art form of fly tying and encourage inventing

works of art atop a sharp hook in the

and exploring.

hopes of reeling in the day’s catch. Fly tying a handcrafted science rooted in carefully observing fish and their prey. Tying flies, in simplest terms, is the process of binding various materials to a hook with thread to produce an artificial fly that would ultimately catch fish. These artificial flies can either mimic existing creatures on the fish’s diet, or peaks the fish’s curiosity enough for them to strike it. With hundreds to thousands of different fly patterns out there, the avid fisherman is sure to find one that catches them the big one.

Whether the fly tyer peruses this hobby to create flies for their own personal use, sell their work to other fishermen, or simply because they enjoy the delicate, relaxing process of tying, each and every fly created by the hands of a passionate tyer is an art piece that should be appreciated. Because of its practicality, many fly tyers create flies for use rather than for pleasure. The main focus for most tyers is creating the most realistic flies, which usually means following designated fly-tying patterns step by step in order to reach the desired re-

Creativity often takes courage. Stepping out from a tie pattern may not seem like a practical route, but it can be an important form of expression and discovery. Not only is exercising this creative curiosity beneficial for your wellbeing, as creating art has been proven to increase psychological and emotional resilience, it can also help fly tyers practice important techniques without the stress of wasting valuable materials. Some have pursued creative tying for the sake of increasing physical dexterity. Whatever the motive may be, focus on experimentation and do not fear failure.

In this book, we are going to delve into the various tools required for fly tying, take a look at a few interesting and useful materials, and explore some of the basic tie flying techniques to implement in your creative endeavors. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional tyer, this book will help you explore the hobby as an art form and inspire you to create something new and unique and entirely your own.

sults. Instead, this book strives to break away

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HISTORY

B R I E F HI S TORY OF F LY T Y I NG Although the exact date of the creation of

became available as well, which helped the

the first tied fly is unknown, some sources

tyer substantially.

indicate fly fishing dates back to the Romans, and how Macedonians fished the Astraeus river, tying “red wool” around two feathers”.

The first written records of fly tying were published in the 13th century. The literature remarks that anglers used “feathered hooks” to catch fish. British Dame Juliana Berners, a fishing, hunting, hawking, nun (of all things), published articles in 1496 about fly fishing.

Each month, Dame Juliana would cover specific flies for each month and the bugs they imitated. There was also a poem written about fly fishing in 1613, said to be penned by none other than her fishing partner, William Shakespeare himself.

Iron fly tying hooks weren’t reliable or readily available until the 17th century when “smithing” became popular. These new hooks were much harder and were being created in larger quantities during the Industrial Revolution, making them more affordable.

Until the late 19th century, all flies were tied by hand using natural materials. They were created using silk thread or wool, and any furry animals or wild game feathers the tyer could get their hands on. Crude vices

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It wasn’t until the 20th and 21st centuries that synthetic materials gained traction. Although the traditional materials and patterns were still catching fish, synthetic materials allowed the tyer to create completely new patterns with entirely new colors and textures.

Although the fly-tying market has grown exponentially, most of the tools and materials have not changed over the last few hundred years. Guides from the late 1800s show images of the same tools we use today. Though there are many more synthetic materials available to tyers today, many opt to continue using the same animal fur and feathers used when fly tying first began.

Each fly pattern created is a small piece of history. Many fly-tying pattern books date back to the early 1900s and include patterns that avid tyers continue to tie today. Each time you create on of these flies, you can imagine a tyer hundreds of years ago using the same steps, tools and materials you are using today.

Perhaps the old saying reigns true; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I suppose that phrase also applies to the baits used when catching fish!

Tied over six years ago, this popular mayfly fly has been used countless times on the river. Worn feathers and threads give the piece character and charm. Fishermen can reminisce on the countless times they tied on their favorite fly and cast it in the water.

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1 2 / F LY T Y I N G T O O L S

TOOL S O F T H E T RAD E 13

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BASIC TO O LS Although you can tie flies with as little as a hook and some thread, there are a few key tools that will make your life much easier. Many of these tools can be found at your local sporting good stores, or online.

VISE The only true necessary tool needed to tie flies is the vise. A fly-tying vice is a contraption that attaches to the edge of a table and holds the hook still while you work. It allows you to use both hands to tie and wrap to the hook. Although these vices can vary in style and form, the basic premise is the same; the hook is inserted into one open end and tightened.

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BOBBIN

BOBBIN THREADER

A fly-tying bobbin makes it easier on the tyer to handle the thread

A bobbin threader makes it easier to maneuver the end of your

and control the tension on the hook. The bobbin holds the spool at the

thread through your bobbin. By simply threading the thin wire end

bottom, and the end of the string is threaded through a small opening

through the open end of the bobbin, placing your chosen thread into

at the top. When the end of the thread is pulled, it unravels it from

the wire end of the needle threader, and pulling the tool out, you can

the spool. This allows the tyer to control how much thread is let out

get your bobbin ready quickly without too much hassle. Like other

at a time, and makes it easier to hold.

tools, this one isn’t entirely necessary, but it will make your life easier.

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WHIP FINISHER TOOL

NEEDLE TOOLS

A whip finisher tool makes it easy for the tyer to complete their

Special needle tools are often told to help separate materials and

fly and make sure it doesn’t untie. This special tool creates a knot in

organize thread on the hook. When your fingers seem just a bit to big

the thread and allows it to be slid over the hook to finish it off. We will

and clunky, a needle tool will help get you in between the smallest of

discuss how to use a whip finisher tool in the basic techniques section.

objects. You can purchase a tool like the one shown, or use anything sharp with a needle-like end.

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SCISSORS

OTHER TOOLS

Scissors are maybe the most important tool when it comes to fly

Other tools that may be useful but aren’t entirely necessary are items

tying. When cutting thread and other fine materials, be sure to find a

such as a magnifying glass, tweezers, super glue or UV resin.

sharp tipped, small pair of scissors. It may also be handy to get a pair

Similarly, to your materials, search for other tools that you can use that

of wire cutters or strong scissors if you plan on cutting wire, as using

will help your process. Perhaps you will need to add unorthodox tools

your good scissors on wire will dull them over time.

to your arsenal if you are using unorthodox materials. Get creative and explore different tools to see what works best for you.

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1 9 / T Y I N G M AT E R I A L S

TYI NG SUPPL I ES 19

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S Y N T H E T I C M AT E R I A L S

R A I D I NG TH E C R A F T C LO S E T One of the most creative aspects of fly tying is the plethora of materials that can be used. Almost any material that can be tied to a hook can be used in fly tying. Some interesting materials include dyed feathers, yarns and twines, embroidery thread, chenille, beads, foam, and more.

When shopping for synthetic materials, look for items with interesting color, texture, and material. Make sure to vary your objects in shape and size. You can find objects like these at your local hobby/craft stores.

Don’t limit yourself to the items shown. One of the most exciting aspects of fly tying is that you can use almost any found objects that are small and can be tied on a hook. Look around your own house for interesting pliable objects; anything from rubber hoses, scrap fabric, tissue paper, foil, spare wires, artificial plants, non-perishable foods, sponges, recycled plastics, and more. The possibilities are endless, so encourage yourself to get creative and explore various materials and mediums that best fit your fly’s design aesthetic.

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N AT U R A L M AT E R I A L S

NAT U R E ’ S A RT S U PPL I E S Before the creation of synthetic materials, fly tyers used only natural materials on their flies. Even today, most tyers prefer natural materials because of the way they interact on the hook and with the water.

Traditionally, materials used consisted of threads, yarns, furs, feathers, hairs, tinsels, cork, balsa and wire. Some furs include rabbit, mink, muskrat, fox, bear, squirrel, deer, elk and moose. These furs are often plucked or cut from the skin and stacked neatly, and then tied on the hook. Additionally, various feathers are popular among tiers, such as chicken, pheasant, turkey, duck, goods and partridge. Many of these feathers have interesting colors or patterns, which can help ÂŹcreate a stunning (and effective) fly.

Tyers love these materials because of their natural abilities, such as floating (deer hair is hollow), repelling water (like duck or goose feathers do), naturally reflecting (like on mallard feathers), and more.

If the tyer also doubles as a hunter or forest explorer, these materials can be free as well. You can purchase these materials at your local fly-tying store or sporting good store that stocks fly tying materials.

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HOOKS

PLAY I N’ H O O KY Hooks for fly tying can come in all types of shapes and sizes. If you are looking to use your flies to catch fish, you may want to research the correct sized hooks to use for the fish you will be targetting. In this book, we are consistantly using 6 hooks, because of their straight form and medium size. The general rule of thumb for fly tying is the smaller the hook, the harder it is to tie. If you are looking to tie smaller hooks, it may be a good idea to invest in a magnifiing glass.

If you are fly tying for fun or creatively, then seek out hooks that would work best for what you want to create. The hooks that we are using work well with the size of feathers and thread we use. If you plan on attatching lots of materials to your hooks, or using large materials in general, you might want to purchase larger hooks Throughout this book, we will be refering to specific parts of the hook to indicate location and direction of tying. Take a look at the diagram on the next page to learn more about hook terminology.

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01. / EYE The eye of the hook is located at the end of the hook and is a small loop where a fishing line can be tied. Be sure to watch your eye while tying, if you accidentally cover it, you will be unable to tie your fly to a line.

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02. / SHANK The hook shank is the length of hook from eye to the intital hook bend. This is your area of tying. When purchasing hooks for tying, keep in mind this length, as it will determine the size of flies you can tie.

03. / BEND 02.

The hook bend is the length of the hook that is bent from the end of the shank to the beginning of the barb. The bend is where you will attach the hook to your vice.

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04. / FRONT LENGTH The front length of the hook is the point of the hook before the barb after the curve straightens. The longer the front length, the further the barb extends into the shank. Be aware of this- if the front lenght is too long it may be harder to tie your flies!

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05. / BARB Watch out! The hook’s barb is the sharp end of the hook that would hook into the lip of a fish. If you aren’t planning on using your creations for fishing, feel free to cut off this sharp edge with a wire cutter. Otherwise, just steer clear of the sharp edge and be aware of

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it while tying; just a clip on the edge with your thread could cause it to break- meaning you have to start your fly over again!

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127 / BASIC TECHNIQUES

GE TT I NG S TA RT ED 27

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AT TACH I N G T HE T H R E A D 1 / L I N E U P H O R I Z O N T A L LY Start by attaching the hook to the vise firmly. Line up your thread horizontally with the hook shaft, with the end of the thread towards the hook bend. To attach the thread, we will be wrapping the loose end up in the bobbin end.

2 / BEGIN WRAPPING Begin wrapping the bobbin end of the thread around the hook a few times. Keep hold of the loose end tightly, as we will wrap that in next.

3 / WRAP IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION Going slowly, start wrapping the opposite direction, trapping the loose end of the thread. Continue wrapping and holding the loose end tight.

4 / CONTINUE WRAPPING UNTIL SECURE Wrap the loose end 10-20 times until it is tightly secured. Let the bobbin end of the thread hang loose.

5 / SNIP REMAINING END Snip the remaining loose end of the thread and wrap a few more times so the loose end doesn’t unravel or get in your way when wrapping.

6 / DONE Your thread is firmly attached to your hook! You can now start tying your fly.

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AT TACH I N G A M AT E R I A L 1 / BEGINNING Start with the hook and attatched thread (see page 28).

2 / C H O O S E Y O U R M AT E R I A L Choose the material you want to tie. If tying a feather, remove the feathers at the end of the shaft so you are only tying the shaft of the feather, as shown here. For other materials, such as hair or tinsel, tie in the center of the clump.

3 / S TA R T W R A P P I N G Wrap away from your body with the material positioned on the hook.

Between your thumb and forefinger, hold your material on the hook.

4 / SWITCH FINGERS Alternating from thumb to forefinger, wrap each side of the material.

Alternating your fingers will allow you to keep the material in one place as you tie.

5 / WRAP UNTIL SECURE Remove your fingers and wrap around the material until it is secure. You should not be able to move your material around the hook or remove it.

6 / S N I P P I N G E X T R A M AT E R I A L Snip off the remaining material. Wrap a few times to secure the snipped end.

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U S I N G A WH I P FI NI S H E R TOOL 1 / GRABBING THREAD AROUND HOOK Start by grabbing the thread with the hook end of the whip finisher tool, below the tied fly.

2 / L O O P A R O U N D M E TA L A R M Loop the thread around the metal arm as well.

3 / C R E AT E F I G U R E 4 Hold the thread horizontally with the fly and create a figure 4 with the thread and the tool. Make sure to hold your tool at the base so it can spin freely.

4 / R O T A T E A R O U N D F LY rotate the tool around the fly, keeping the horizontal thread tight.

Trap that horizontal thread and wrap multiple times around the fly, 5-10 times depending on the fly.

5 / R E M O V E A R O U N D M E TA L A R M Once you have completed a few rotations, remove the thread from the metal arm, keeping it looped only around the hook end.

6 / CLOSE LOOP AND REMOVE TOOL Slowly pull on the thread to close the loop until it is only big enough for the hook to be removed. Remove the hook and tighten the loop on last time until it is secure.

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3 5 / C R E AT I V E PAT T E R N S

SEEKING INSPIRATION 35

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C R E AT I V E D I S C L A I M E R

C O NT I NU E WI TH C R E AT I V I TY Although we providing you with simple, easy-to-follow patterns, we urge you to break away from the steps. Change up a material, a color, a technique. Add your own flair to each fly and see where your creativity can take you. Each of the following flies uses the various techniques discussed earlier in this book, as well as some new techniques to try out. Practice is what will make you better at tying.

And, as always, do not fear failure. Only through failure will you learn.

Attempt a new technique, use a new tool, fail and try again. This isn’t life or death. And if you truly hate what you created, cut away the existing thread and start over. That’s the true beauty of tying flies creatively; if it doesn’t work, create something new.

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C R E AT I V E PAT T E R N # 1

BA BY B LUE 1. Attach the tying thread to the hook (see P28).

2. Find a fluffy feather and strip the shaft end of afterfeathers (see A) until you are left with a bare shaft about half the length of the hook.

Attatch it with the remaining barbs facing back torwards the hook end of the hook. Wrap the feather stem from the end all the way until you hit the feathers.

3. At the same point where you were previously wrapping, attatch a clumb of hair. This is what we will be using to create the bug form.

Tie the clumb at its middle.

4. Cut off the remaining hairs to the back end of the hook and wrap a few times for security.

5. Wrap the hairs up to the end of the hook with large gaps inbetween the thread. This will create a lumpy form on the fly.

6. Cut off all remaining hair.

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7. Using 3 peices of wire, cut about the length of the hook shaft, bend them over the hair with even spacing between. This creates the bugs legs. Starting at the legs closest to the eye, wrap the wire pieces onto the hook, moving inbetween the individual legs on each side to secure them on. Continue this on each of the legs until all 3 sets are secure.

8. Using a whispy feather, again strip the shaft end until you are left with a small piece of bare shaft for attatching. Tie this bare shaft onto the hook about halfway down the shaft.

9. Bend the feathers you just attatched back torwards the eye of the hook. Tie it in place a few millimeters closer to the eye.

10. Carefully wrap the feather around the hook, moving torwards the eye. Be sure to move slowly and make sure the feather barbs poke outward. Once you can no longer hold the feather, use your thread to tie the end in place. If needed, cut off excess.

11. Use a whip finisher tool and snip the thread to complete the fly.

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C R E AT I V E PAT T E R N # 2

RUBY T ULE FUZ Z GA D G E T 1. Attach the tying thread to the hook (see P28).

2. Attatch a puff ball close to the hook’s eye. Hold the puff ball tightly

feather along the hook, so make sure this is secure.

and start wrapping in the center of the ball. Make sure to keep the

8. Grab the feather by the shaft and begin wrapping the feather around

wraps in the center so it doesn’t roll off the hook.

the hook until you can no longer hold it. Once you reach the end of

3. Next to the puff ball, attach a feather at its shaft. Let the feather sit on top of the hook horizontally.

4. Cut a piece of tule 2 inches by 5 inches. Fold the tule in half and

the feather, use the thread to tie it down.

9. To cover up the shaft end of the feather, tie in another puff ball in the center of the hook shaft.

twist it in the center. set the folded center in the middle of the hook

10. Start to wrap the thread up the hook shaft torwards the eye. Once

and tie it there. Wrap until you cannot see the folded tule piece.

you reach the eye, attatch a piece of string to the hook. Wrap until the

5. Attach a fuzzy feather in front of the tule. Wrap tightly.

6. Wrap the thread until it sits behind the puff ball.

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7. Attach the end of a feather to the hook. We will be wrapping the

thread is stuck to the bottom of the hook.

11. Snip the string to your perfered length. Use a whip finisher tool and snip the thread to complete the fly.

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C R E AT I V E PAT T E R N # 3

VERDE SUJETO 1. Attach the tying thread to the hook (see P28).

2. At the back of the hook close to the bend, begin wrapping a long feather. Make sure the feather is sitting on the hook with the feather spines pointed vertically.

3. Cut off the excess feather shaft.

4. Fold a small piece of foam in half and cut it into a point opposite of the folded end. This will create a shape looking like two wings, with the thinest end in the middle. Begin wrapping the foam in the center, wrapping from both sides of the foam piece until it sits still on top of the hook.

5. Behind the foam piece, attach another feather at the shaft. Wrap it tight 6. Begin wrapping until you reach the front of the hook closer to the eye. When you reach the front, attach a clump of hair at the middle to the hook. Be sure to wrap a few times to make the hair secure.

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7. Cut the extra hair torwards the eye, making sure you are trimming the hair tight to the tied thread. After you remove this extra hair, make a few more wraps around the hook to cover the trimmed hair at the front.

8. Use a whip finisher tool and snip the thread to complete the fly.

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SOURCE S Cesari, Scott, director. Beginner Fly Tying Tips - Part 2: Three Essential Techniques Every Fly Tier Needs to Know. YouTube, 2011, www. youtube.com/watch?v=IgGpTxo-Dds&t=332s.

“Fly Tying History.” Great Feathers, Great Feathers, 2018, www. greatfeathers.com/fly-tying-history.

“Fly Tying.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Dec. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_tying.

Perry, John. “History of Fly Fishing.” John Perry Fly Fishing, John Perry Montana Fly Fishing, 14 Jan. 2020, johnperryflyfishing. com/history-of-fly-fishing/.

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Copyright Š 2020 by Melissa Nieuwenhuis Design, Incorporated,

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