River to Fly Strategy (R2FS) – A Fly Tying Process for the Beginner’s Success.

I started tying flies twice. 

The first time scratched the itch, but it ended poorly.  I tied random flies sporadically but found it difficult to improve.  The combination of my sub-par flies and the fact that I never seemed to use any of the flies I tied resulted in my disenfranchisement with the entire enterprise.  In the end, I gave up. 

The second time was different.  I started to grasp the concepts and tie some flies I was proud of.  I could improvise on various flies and combine techniques.  I began to remember various patterns without looking them up on YouTube.  Fishing my own flies became exciting.  Soon, it was rare that I would go fly fishing without at least some of my own flies in the box that were catching fish.  It happened slowly, but it happened.  What changed? 

A very simple process I call the River to Fly Strategy (R2FS).

What is the River to Fly Strategy (R2FS)?

The River to Fly Strategy (R2FS) is really just a plan for tying flies.  Four deliberate steps that helped me stick with it that might help you.

First, choose a river. 

Second, choose the specific flies to tie for that river. 

Third, choose the number of flies to tie. 

Last, commit to tying those flies in a methodical building block approach.

I know.  That’s it?  Perhaps, it should have been obvious to me as I started tying, but whatever the reason, it was not.  I took a different approach in the beginning, and I lost interest.  Having a plan made the difference for me and really got me serious about tying flies. 

The River.

Pick a river that you fly fish regularly.  For those that live close to a trout stream, this is easy.  For folks that do not, pick the river that you think you will fish next, or that you plan on visiting the most.  If you have a fly fishing trip planned in the future, choose that river.  Having a place to fish your flies before you start tying ensures that you will use them to catch fish.  This is when the real fun begins!

The Flies.

This is tough.  Every river has dozens of flies that work at different times of year, hatches, days, and even times of day.  Do not get overwhelmed.  Because you ultimately want to catch fish it helps to do some research online or talk to a guide shop for advice on what flies work well on your river of choice.  Keep in mind your skill level as well.  Pick the flies that are a little easier to tie if you are just starting out.

Choosing flies to tie for a certain time of year helps narrow the playing field as well. 

The Number.

It depends, but it is up to you.  Too many flies and you can stagnate or become overwhelmed.  The point is to have a strategy that allows you to progress.  Choose a reasonable number that you think you can accomplish. 

I try to work in threes.  I pick three flies that I think will fish well.  Then I tie the first one until I have three good flies.  Then I move to the next fly until I have another three good flies.  Then the third.  Nine total flies.  That’s a day’s fishing.

I do this for each day on the river until I have three versions of three separate flies for each day of my trip.  I stick to these flies until I have learned them well and I have a sufficient supply, and then move on to another group of three.

Yakima River R2FS Example.

Here is an example of how I use the R2FS.  I am fly fishing the Yakima River in March.  Hoping to catch the Skwala hatch out there.

Here is my R2FS for the Yakima River in order:

Zebra Midge, Lightning Bug, Hares Ear —- Copper John, Pats Stone, Bullethead Skwala. 

These flies are progressively harder for me to tie.  I started with the Zebra Midge, which is very simple, and end with the Bullethead Skwala, which I have never tied before. 

Three good Zebra Midges for each day of my three day trip equals nine Zebra Midges.  Nine good ones.  Then move on to the Lightning Bug. 

3 x 3 = 9 Zebra Mides…

3 x 3 = 9 Lightning Bugs…

In the end I am shooting for nine good versions of six different flies.  Fifty four flies before the trip.

Why it Works:

Looking back, the catalyst for the R2FS was the Shemchuk Rendezvous.  Every year my father and brother rejoin for a fly fishing trip.  Once in the winter.  Once in the summer.

READ: WADEOUTTHERE | The Rendezvous – More Than a Fly Fishing Trip.

The Rendezvous was a way to get to the river and fly fish, but it also helped me tie flies.  It forced me to think about what flies we would need.  I began to tie specifically for the trip.  Because I had limited time, I had to pick a few flies and stick with it.  Several things happened.

1. It focused my attention.  Being focused kept me motivated.  The more specific I was with the flies I tied, the more I enjoyed tying them.
2. It forced repetition.  Defined numbers of flies forced me to keep at it.  I would not move on until I had one fly figured out.  This improved my skills exponentially.  I still have a long way to go, but I have come a long way too.
3. The flies started to build on each other.  The Hares Ear turned into the Guides Choice Hares Ear.  A Zebra Midge is much like the Lightning Bug.  An Elk Hair Caddis can become the Skwala.  Okay, maybe that is a bit of a leap, but they both involve elk hair… 
4. I started associated the tying with the fishing.   Tying flies felt just like an extension of the act of fly fishing itself.  When we started catching fish with my flies fairly consistently all bets were off.  I was hooked.

READ: WADEOUTTHERE | One Story and Six Reason Why You Should Tie Your Own Flies.

It’s a Start.

I think people are more likely to succeed if they know what they are working towards in the beginning.  The R2FS helps us at the start.  It gives us some defined goals so that every fly we tie is moving us closer to some destination.  We get better and we progress.  Even if a fly ends up in the trash, we still see the benefit. 

The R2FS is a starting point for YOU.  You make a plan that works for you.  There is no correct answer. 

If you are a beginner tyer and feeling frustrated, don’t despair.  It gets better.  Try your own River to Fly Strategy (R2FS) and tie the flies for the fish you’re after.  

Wadeouthere.

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VR,

Jason Shemchuk
WADEOUTTHERE
@wadeoutthereflyguy
Jason@wadeoutthere.com