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- Fly tying - Dry fly

- fly tying - wet fly

- Fly tying - tiger fish fly

Location: South Africa

Fly tying made simple

Fly fishermen eventually get to the point of wanting to tie their own flies. Fly tying can save on costs of all the flies that seem to be left in bushes and trees everywhere they go. But mostly fly tying is about extending the passion for our rich sport of fly fishing. Infact I could not imagine a real fly fisherman not tying his own fly fishing flies.

There have been perhaps more volumes of books and articles written on the art of fly tying than any other aspect of fly fishing. If you subscribe to any of the fly fishing magazines, you have encountered articles that included fly patterns. In fact, a few magazines are dedicated to the art of fly tying. Those magazines will enhance the information you find here and I encourage you to consider subscribing to one or two. You may also want to build your own library of books you find helpful.

This fly tying series is produced using techniques which are the basic building blocks of fly tying. Each subsequent fly builds on the previous flies and methods. The first thing you need to know about tying your own flies is a little bit about the fly fishing flies themselves.

Dry flies are simply flies that float. They usually represent adult insects that are emerging (breaking out of their nymphal shuck), drying their wings so they can fly away, or returning to the water to lay eggs. Since dry flies are the most fun to use (you get to see the fish take the fly), more fly patterns have been designed as dry patterns than any of the rest. Although some folks separate emerger flies from dries, since they usually float, I'll include them with dries.
Wet flies are simply flies that don't float. They usually represent nymphs and pupae that are swimming toward the surface of the water or trying to break through the surface film to become adults. Since many insects become lunch menu items during this stage of their existence, it's useful to know how to tie wet flies.
Nymphs represent the nymphal or larva stage in an insect's life cycle. Since insects spend most of their life in the nymph or larva stage, this is an important stage in terms of fish forage. I've heard that up to 95 percent of a stream fish's diet is nymphs and larva in some form. Need I say more about the importance of this type of fly?
Streamers are flies that represent minnows, crayfish, leaches and a variety of other life forms that swim under the surface of lakes and streams. Since fish often eat minnows, leaches and crayfish, this is an important type of fly to learn how to tie.
Salt water flies
Bass flies
Tiger fish flies
Yellow fish flies
Trout flies
Carp flies
Salmon flies
Bream flies

Fly tying - Dry fly fly tying - wet fly Fly tying - tiger fish fly

Accommodation in and around South Africa

Komati Gorge Lodge & Wildlife Reserve accommodation in South Africa
Awarded four star grading by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa and a Superior Accommodation rating with the Automobile Association, this untouched expanse of 1200ha with its thorn bushveld and highveld grassland offers an unparalleled exper... More

Craigrossie Trout Lodges accommodation in South Africa
Small farm with 4 self-catering cottages, sleeping 4 people privately, with the maximum of 6 people, situated beside 2 dams of roughly 5 hectares each, both stocked with rainbow & brown trout and river fishing nearby. Also hikin, horse riding, et... More

Engeleni Lodge & Mayfly Cottage accommodation in South Africa
A soul rejuvenating experience and a wonderfully warm welcome awaits you at this destination. Situated on a working dairy farm called Prosper, nestled in the Kamberg Valley, with sweeping, panoramic views of the Ukhahlumba Drakensburg World Heritage ... More

Tillietudlem Game & Trout Lodge accommodation in South Africa
Tilletudlem is renowned for its tranquility and beauty. Situated in the beautiful Dargle region of the Midlands, whether you are here to fly fish on one of our magnificent dams, walk the mountains or simply let us spoil you with excellent cuisine and... More

Tenahead Mountain Lodge and Spa accommodation in South Africa
This spectacular lodge has 7 grand, en-suite bedrooms with open fireplaces which are lit throughout the snowy winter. Each is beautifully furnished for comfort and luxury. Large double glazed windows grace a single wall of each bedroom, framing panor... More

Clarens Golf & Trout Estate Villa 178 accommodation in South Africa
The Clarens Villa (Villa 178) is located on the peacefull Clarens Golf & Trout Estate and was built around 2 years ago. The villa has 2 bedrooms (one double, one with two single beds) both with en-suite bathrooms, lounge, dining room and a f... More

Stanford Lake Lodge accommodation in South Africa
Equipped and decorated to the highest and most soothing standards, the first lodge is a self-catering double-storey log cabin that has three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and sleeps eight people. Such is its privacy, you can luxuriate in a bath lo... More

Five Assegais Country Estate accommodation in South Africa
The Farmhouse is situated on the very lip of the African Escarpment on the summit of the Skurweberg in the Mpumalanga Drakensburg. This is a luxury very cute fully equipped and serviced lodge sleeping 6 adults in 3 double en suit bedrooms and 4 child... More

four flies nature farm accommodation in South Africa
Unfortunately, they often fall into one of two traps: The establishment taking them back to Nature has tried so hard to provide all the mod cons that they have completely cancelled out any possibility of feeling one with God’s earth as it... More

treeferns trout lodge accommodation in South Africa
The facilities consist of 4 self catering chalets, a thatched lapa for get-togethers and group events complete with ablution and Dstv. Twelve dams and weirs are regularly stocked with trout. Opportunities also exist for hiking, farm tours... More

Fish River Sun Hotel and Country Club accommodation in South Africa
... More

Lakenvlei Forest Lodge accommodation in South Africa
The forest, hills and dense reed beds surrounding the wetland are home to an enormous variety of bird species including the African Jacana and Purple Heron as well as at least six duck species and the endangered Crowned Crane. Mammals such as the Cap... More

Kinmel Guest Farm & Lodge accommodation in South Africa
Kinmel Guest Farm, offers much to those who want to break away from the rush of city life – Experience the breathtaking beauty and spectacular views of mountain peaks and valley gorges. Peace, tranquillity and a wonderful relaxing experie... More

Penwarn Country Lodge accommodation in South Africa
Choose between two fully-catered exclusive lodges, Mthini Lodge and Indabushe Lodge and enjoy a break in sumptuous colonial style.The farm Penwarn lies in a beautiful valley traversed by two rivers. Zebra, wildebeest and antelope roam free across the... More

Glenrock Game & Trout accommodation in South Africa
The property is a large (820 ha) Highveld Farm, only 2 hours drive from Durban. It is between Mooi River and Greytown off... More

Directory of accommodation in South Africa

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