Flybox: The Fly Tyer’s Friend

Flybox is one of the UK’s most progressive fly tying companies specialising in modern fly tying materials.

Fly tying is a heritage craft that combines artistic creativity with scientific precision to create artificial fishing flies.

Since 2005, Flybox has been leading the way in developing innovative fly tying materials in the UK and globally. Our products are stocked aroud the world.

FLY TYING MATERIALS BEST SELLERS

Donna & James
Donna & James
2023-11-21
Great products and always quick, quality service.
Daniel Martelat
Daniel Martelat
2023-03-24
Excellent service and help, as always. Thank you Ian
Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson
2021-05-23
Great fly tying materials. 🎣🎣🎣👍👍👍👍
Joe Mcmillan
Joe Mcmillan
2021-02-25
Good fly tying kit reasonably priced good postal service
Jonas Olsson
Jonas Olsson
2020-10-28
Superb online shopping for that material you cant find anywhere else
Kenny McClymont
Kenny McClymont
2020-02-29
Best choice of fly tying materials online
scott mitchell
scott mitchell
2019-06-28
Brilliant shop with superb materials not readily available anywhere else. First class.

NATURALLY COOL FLY TYING MATERIALS

Mobolaji Ashafa
Mobolaji Ashafa
2023-12-12
Working with Mrs Trey Loudis was one of the best experiences I’ve had when doing forex trading. Mrs Trey Loudis is very professional and easy to get a hold of. With her extensive knowledge in the industry she was able to answer every question we had throughout the trading process. Investing $1,000 and getting $12,000 profit return within a space of 1 week was amazing for me and am glad Mrs Trey Loudis was there to help us achieve our goal. There is few people in the industry that genuinely care and look out for the clients best interest and I’m glad we had a chance to work with one of them, thank you Mrs Trey Loudis You can contact her WhatsApp +14154849224 Email: treyloudis@gmail.com
Chris Adams
Chris Adams
2022-07-30
Great order turnaround. placed a multi-item order on Friday & and it arrived on Saturday morning! Genuinely recommend.
Graham Bell
Graham Bell
2021-04-07
Fantastic service - ordered yesterday afternoon and package through the door by 09.30 this morning. Thanks very much..
Paul Gallagher
Paul Gallagher
2020-02-26
Ordered cones for salmon flys, delivered next day and superb quality and decent price. Defo order again.
Joe Greenhorn
Joe Greenhorn
2019-08-17
excellent service and superb quality of materials. delivery is normally the next day after purchasing the stuff. 5 stars to them
Brian Murray
Brian Murray
2019-04-06
great new up to date materials
Rhys West
Rhys West
2019-03-31
put my order in on Friday morning and received it on Saturday. Fantastic service and great materials!!!
Robert L Watson
Robert L Watson
2019-03-26
Really good company with great prices and service.
Wullie Watson
Wullie Watson
2019-03-21
Great service and friendly and helpful are Ian and David 😊
Davey Scott
Davey Scott
2018-12-12
great company always fast service

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Are you New to Fly Tying?

What is Fly Tying?

At its core, fly tying involves the construction of fishing flies, which are miniature representations of various aquatic creatures. These meticulously crafted imitations of insects, baitfish, and other aquatic creatures play a vital role in the world of fly fishing. These flies are attached to the end of a fishing line and cast into the water to entice fish to bite.

Unlike conventional bait fishing, where live or dead bait is used, fly fishing relies on the angler’s ability to mimic the natural prey of the targeted fish species. This imitation is where the art of fly tying comes into play.

Fly tying enthusiasts, known as fly tiers or tyers, meticulously craft these artificial flies using a combination of materials such as feathers, fur, thread, wire, and beads.

Is it hard to tie flies?

The fly tying process begins with selecting a specific pattern and determining the type of fly needed for the target fish species and prevailing environmental conditions. This pattern can mimic anything from mayflies to minnows and can vary in complexity.

One of the fundamental aspects of fly tying is understanding the entomology of your local waters. Successful fly tyers need to be, in some respects, amateur entomologists, studying the behaviour, appearance, and life cycles of the insects found in the areas that they are fishing. By understanding the aquatic ecosystem, fly tyers can create flies that closely resemble the natural prey of fish, increasing their chances of success on the water.

Once the pattern is selected and the materials gathered, the fly tying process can begin. Fly tyers use specialized tools, including a vice, scissors, bobbin, and various hooks, to construct the fly. A vice securely holds the hook in place while the tier attaches the materials using thread and other adhesives. The level of intricacy in a fly can range from simple patterns with just a few materials to highly complex creations with multiple layers and intricate detailing.

Feathers and fur from various animals are commonly used in fly tying as well as synthetic materials which Flybox specialises in. For example, the delicate hackle feathers of a rooster can be used to create the distinctive collar on dry flies, while deer hair is often employed to form buoyant bodies on patterns meant to float on the water’s surface. The choice of materials depends on the desired appearance and functionality of the fly.

Is it worth it to tie your own flies?

Tying your own flies is great fun, and fly tying has a rich history and culture which has evolved over centuries. Each generation of fly tyers adds to the knowledge and techniques which have been passed down through the ages. Fly tying communities, both online and offline, provide a platform for enthusiasts to exchange ideas, patterns, and stories. This sense of camaraderie and shared passion creates a strong sense of belonging among fly tyers, transcending geographical boundaries.

In competition fishing, tying your own flies is particularly important because a well tied fly will give you the edge on the water.

Fly Tying as a Heritage Craft

Fly tying, also known as fly dressing, is a craft that dates back to Roman times but experienced its biggest period of growth in the 1850s. Then, salmon and trout fishing were very much a rich man’s sport. From the 1850s until World War II many people could not afford to fish in the well-known streams and rivers. After the war many fisheries were developed and during the 1960s, large reservoirs were built and stocked with fish. This led to a growth in the number of trout anglers and subsequent growth in the number of fly tiers.

While the numbers of people tying flies is still quite large, Heritage Crafts, the national charity for traditional heritage crafts, has warned there is a trend away from learning fly tying as an art and more towards tying a very limited number of simple patterns for use in fishing. The actual number of highly skilled individuals that can tie most patterns and use most techniques is declining every year although the craft is not yet, thankfully, classified as endangered by the charity.

The artistry in fly tying becomes apparent when observing the creativity and attention to detail that goes into crafting each fly. Fly tyers often experiment with different colour combinations, textures, and shapes to create flies that closely resemble the natural insects or baitfish found in the waters they intend to fish. This artistic aspect allows fly tyers to express their individuality and personal style while still adhering to the principles of effective fly design.

Techniques like dubbing, wrapping, and stacking materials allow tiers to achieve lifelike appearances that can be irresistible to fish. The meticulous nature of fly tying requires a keen eye for detail and a steady hand to produce flies that meet the high standards of both aesthetics and functionality.

Flybox Fly Tying Materials Cormorant
Flybox Fly Tying Materials Cats Whisker
Flybox Fly Tying Materials Blob
Flybox Fly Tying Materials Mini Lure
Flybox Fly Tying Materials Gummy Worms