Fly Tying

The Egg Sucking Leech drives trout wild in the fall (and spring). Eggs offer trout a protein-rich meal. In the spring and fall trout often feed on eggs and larger meals like leeches. This pattern works particularly well in Alaska where Salmon eggs enter the river in the fall or in rivers where Suckers or Whitefish spawn during the spring. This pattern can be stripped or swung for Trout or Steelhead.

If you're a streamer junkie, this fly is for you. The Ragdolly is an articulated streamer that's designed for big fish. Sure, it takes some time to tie, but it's a really effective pattern for meat-eating fish. Follow along as Jared provides step-by-step instructions to tie this complicated fly with a fishy profile.

The Clouser Half & Half is a pattern that imitates baitfish with added flare. We've tied the Clouser Minnow in the past, but this pattern is tied with a twist. Great for freshwater Bass, Striped Bass, and just about any fish that'll eat a baitfish. The Clouser is most well-known as a saltwater pattern but works well in all situations. Watch Jared tie the Clouser Half & Half with step-by-step instructions and techniques explained.

The Deceiver may be one of the most popular streamers for both freshwater and saltwater fish. This pattern can be tied in a multitude of colors to imitate a variety of bait. Here, Jared ties the Lefty's Deceiver in Blurple (black and purple) which is the most productive color combination for targeting fish at night. This is a great fly for Bass, Stripers, and more. Follow along for step-by-step instructions.

The Purple Haze is a popular dry fly across the US and around the world. Similar to a Parachute Adams, the Purple Haze is easy to see and effective when trout are feeding on Mayflies. The Purple Haze is a great pattern for spooky fish in large water or fish that have seen an Adams too many times. This Mayfly imitation will float well, be highly visible, and create a buggy profile in the water. Follow our detailed instructions to tie this pattern with a parachute as Jared takes us through the steps needed to create this small, effective dry fly.

The Tying Bench is back with an attractor pattern that's great for trout in the western US or right here in Maine. The Chubby Chernobyl is one of the best all-around dry flies for catching trout feeding on Stoneflies, Hoppers, and more. An efficient foam design provides stellar buoyancy and a large wing makes this pattern easy to follow on the water. If you're chasing active trout that aren't too particular, you're going to want this one in your fly box. Follow along as Jared provides step by step detailed instructions for tying this popular attractor pattern.

The Copper John is one of the most popular trout nymphs on the planet. Seriously. If you're looking for a heavy mayfly nymph, this is a go-to pattern for trout rivers across the US and internationally. The Copper John can be tied a few different ways and Jared shows us his version in this episode of the Tying Bench. If you have a vise and are an avid trout angler, this video and blog post is for you.

The Elk Hair Caddis is a hugely popular pattern across much of the US. Caddis hatch in droves and provide big meals for trout of all sizes. Whether you're fishing from the bank or from a drift boat, this fly is a must-have in every angler's dry fly box. A Caddis works well when fished as a dry fly on the surface or skated in choppy water. Here are step-by-step instructions to tie this popular dry fly. 

The Crazy Charlie is a classic Bonefish pattern that was developed on Andros Island in 1977 by Charlie Smith, a local Bahamian Bonefish guide. Since its inception, the Crazy Charlie has become one of the most popular Bonefish flies in the world. Jared takes us through the steps needed to tie this classic fly in our latest YouTube Fly Tying Tutorial. Read on for step-by-step instructions.

The Zonker is a popular trout pattern that can be either stripped or dead drifted in high water conditions. The Zonker imitates a variety of mobile prey including sculpins, crayfish, and small baitfish. This pattern works particularly well in high water but can be fished year round for aggressive trout and Bass looking for a large meal. Read on to see step-by-step tying instructions.