Winter fly tying

Tying flies is one of the very best parts of fly fishing in my opinion. Certainly, not everyone who fishes with a fly rod also ties, but a surprising number do. Many start tying as way to save money, but for most it quickly becomes a great hobby that enhances their favorite sport.

Creating and producing fishing flies is something that fly anglers do a lot of in the winter. We figure that if we can’t fish, at least we can devote our time to something that will pay off for us next summer. We spend hours going through our fly boxes beefing up our supply of those patterns that we used most during past fishing seasons. And, when we finish that, we start tying up some of the new flies that constantly appear.

So how can novice fly fishers get started in this great pastime? Well, to start with those of you who are in Anchorage can hook up with the Alaska Fly Fishers club for their monthly, free fly tying clinics. Held the third Sunday of each winter month from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Municipal Animal Shelter conference room off of Tudor Road, the clinics offer hands-on help with tying flies. Members of the club help both first timers and more experienced tyers to tie. All the equipment is provided and clinics are open to the public.

Although not free, all of the fly shops in Anchorage offer fly tying classes in the fall and winter as do we here at Women’s Flyfishing® (and ours aren’t limited to women, either.) All you have to do is call to sign up.

If you don’t live in Anchorage, you’re not out of luck. Your local fly shop will also be offering classes right now because it’s what we all do in the winter. Or, go on the Internet to either the Federation of Fly Fishers’ web site or to Trout Unlimited and locate an affiliate club in your neck of the woods. They offer casting and fly tying clinics all the time. If none of that works try contacting a local fly fishing guide and asking about private lessons.

And, don’t think that if you’re not already a fly fisher you have to start there before you can start tying flies. Not true. Create the flies now and then you’ll have some ready when you take up fly fishing next summer!

Pudge Kleinkauf has owned and operated Women’s Flyfishing ® her instruction and guide service, for nineteen of the thirty-six years she has lived and fished in Alaska. She is also the author of a recent book, Fly Fishing Women Explore Alaska. This tip and photo are © 2005 Women's Flyfishing.