THE ART OF THE HOOK

 

Fly tying is an ancient artistic process of creating an imitation aquatic insect, which are traditionally used by anglers in Fly Fishing. A “Fly” is produced by threading different materials — both natural and synthetic —onto a hook, in designs created to attract fish to the rod and reel of the fisherman.

A person who ties flies is called a Fly Tier, many people are dedicated to the art and craft of tying flies, even more so than fly fishing itself. In Britain the art of fly tying became popular in the second half of the 17th century, however the origin of fly tying dates back to the 1st or 2nd century bc in Macedonia. It has been estimated that more than a quarter of a million people still practise the art of fly tying today.
 
The craft of tying is initially learnt from a mentor or within a group of tiers; here traditional patterns and methods are taught and shared.

There are three basic types of Flies -
Dry Fies float on the surface, they are carefully tied to imitate a number of insects that are found in trout streams.
Wet Flies are designed to drift underwater and to be taken by the fish as a morsel.  
Nymphs imitate larvae that have been dislodged from the bottom of rocks, these are often tied over lead wire to cause them to sink.

Flies have very individual names which represent the types of Fly fishing; these include Lightning Bug, Pink Squirrel, Parachute Adams, Beadhead Prince Nymph and Pheasant Tail Nymph, which is often described as the easiest to recreate.

Once you become fairly proficient, a fly will take you anywhere from three to ten minutes to tie.The action of tying is almost like crocheting, but using your fingers with a fixed hooked tool and using different kinds of threads or wire.

Although this is a craft rich in tradition Fly Tiers are inventive, sometimes deviating from established designs to create idiosyncratic or experimental ties. This allows the tier to develop they own individual style, while encouraging innovation in this artistic process.

Fly Tiers are also resourceful - the materials they use can come from anywhere and often incorporates waste and found objects.
While originally natural materials such as deer hair, fox tails, feathers and woven yarns would have been used, today salvaged plastics, fabrics and metal foils are reinvented and incorporated into these intricate pieces.

The tradition of Fly Tying is both an art form and a culture which has been passed down though generations of communities and artisans. Through the dedication and passion of craftsman across the world, this ancient act of creativity continues to be kept alive.

 

Q & A with Emyr, a retired police Detective and active fly tier for many years, who crafts intricate Flies in beautiful colours to create delicate works of art.

 

When and how were you introduced to fly tying?
I have always been a fisherman; from the age of five I used to go tickling for trout and snaring for salmon.
When I was about ten a family member, a mountain shepherd named John - a giant of man - took me under his wing and introduced me to fly fishing and fly tying at the same time. What intrigued me was the fact that he had these huge hands, and yet was able to tie such small ties, some about 5mm in size.
After this he would come to our house and give me fly tying lessons. This went on for many years; in fact until he was tragically murdered. This happened just as I was on the road to becoming a police officer, and his was one of the first cases I worked on.

Do you make your flies for the love of the creative act of making, for personal use or to sell on?
I started making flies as a way of catching fish, but within six months I quickly became addicted to it; I was striving to create the perfect fly.
With my work as a Detective it was good for stress relief, and I would often tie three or four flies before going to bed at night.

Fly tying is also about procuring the materials - like a scavenger hunt. Instead of fish I hunt detritus. I am always looking around to see what materials could be used for fly tying. I would often be intrigued with the feathers in ladies hats, and wonder how I could get hold of similar ones. Its about the act of finding and creating that is important to me!

I rarely go fishing as a sport now, since I have become involved with river conservation work. I never sell flies but am happy to give them away as gifts.
 
Are the quirky names used standard, or can you create your own names?
Yes, you can create your own names, however, there is a dictionary on standard fly named patterns. But you can deviate to your own taste, and it then becomes a variant.
You can also create your own pattern, in the way you style a fly, and the colours you use. You can have all or only some of the standard components - which are the hook, head, throat, body, wing, tail, butt and tag.

How many types of fly tying patterns are there, and do you have any favourites?
There are thousands of original patterns and then there are thousands of variants of the originals.
The art evolved as new materials became more freely available, such as synthetics and the by-products of waste plastics. As a craft and art form it is totally sustainable, in the way detritus is re-used to create art.

My absolute favourite fly is called the black gnat, because it is simple to tie and takes only seconds, also it catches a lot of fish!
My favourite as an art form, and the one I enjoy tying the most, is the Silver Doctor (Trout Fly). It is quite an intricate trout fly to make, as it has a lot of components to it, and it allows me to expand my creativity. It’s the craft of making it that I find stimulating, and it is also aesthetically beautiful to look at.
 
Why is the use of colour important and, do the colours have special meaning?
We don’t know if colour is important to the fish! It is the shape, size, shades and the way it moves through the water that attracts fish the most.
However it is important to the fly fishermen, as they like filling their boxes with colourful and flamboyant flies - most fishermen can’t tie flies themselves!
 
How does fly tying make you feel when you make them, is this a social or solitary activity for you?
When I tie flies, its for my own enjoyment and a private place of solace. It’s the smells, the tools, the oils that bring back memories.
The act of fly tying makes me feel secure, it’s a cathartic experience. I lose myself within tying, ten hours can go by in a flash and then dinner is on the table!
It is both a social and solitary activity, which can happen with a group of friends catching up while tying, sitting with the family in the evening, or while sitting alone with my thoughts.