Fly Tying Kits Compared

Why Tie Your Own Flies?

How to Choose a Quality Fly Tying Kit

Quality

The quality of a tied fly is based on the type of materials that were used in the construction process. The higher-priced kits generally have higher quality materials, so look out for what the materials are constructed of when you're choosing your perfect kit.  Four materials are typically used when constructing your fly:

If you use high-quality materials, then you could see your fly in your kit for a very long time.

Packaging/Organizer Case

You'll need to make sure that your materials aren't just bought in good quality, but they stay in good condition, too. Having an organizer for your materials and finished products will allow you to keep your bait in order and organized well.

There are many organizers and cases in all different shapes and sizes. Some kits will come with a case as well. But be mindful and make sure your case fits your needs, whether it's with the size, durability, or if it's equipped with a specific lining (like soft foam) for extra protection.

Organizers can also come in a high-intensity case. These are resistant to pressure and are highly effective when protecting your tackle on excursions.

Must-Have Tools

Every kit comes with some must-haves that are essential when making flies but also when it comes to any repairs on an existing fly. These must-haves are:

Instruction Manual

Extra Accessories

With so many tool kits available, companies are beginning to add extra accessories to stand out from their competition. Usually, these added bonuses are in kits at higher price points. These accessories can be heavier threads, adhesive glues, and materials like feathers. Feathers are a great accessory as they help a fly to float on the water.

Price

Whether you’re new to tying fish, or you’re hoping to get a new kit to improve your skills. The price that you'll pay differs from brand to size. It's important to focus on what you'll require your kit for, too.

If you're buying a kit to improve your skills at home, then a bigger, bulkier kit will be easier to find at a lower price point. Or you may need to spend more on a kit that's lightweight to travel with. Either way, our list will help you find a fly tying kit that's good for your needs, and that's within your budget.

1. Dr. Slick

We start our list with our top pick, The Dr. Slick Fly Tying tool kit. Dr. Slick Company was founded in 1989 by a surgeon with a passion for fly tying. So, there’s tremendous attention to detail on their precise and perfect tools. Just like surgical tools, these pieces were designed to be high quality and specialized. You can see all of the attention to detail once you open the reusable fly box.

Dr. Slick fly tying tools are easy to use, durable and esthetically pleasing. It’s kitted out with a pair of scissors, bobbin, bobbin threader, half hitch tool(also known as a bodkin), a pair of hackle pliers, a whip finisher and a hair stacker. Add a vise to this, and you have a great quality setup at a great price, too. They're all conveniently packaged in a foam lining to keep them in place and safe, even on the road.

There is also a 6-step inspection process on each instrument to ensure the highest quality possible. And if you’re still not sold, Dr. Slick offers a lifetime guarantee against workmanship and defects to really put your mind at ease. So, whether you're new to fly tying or you’re looking to upgrade your kit, this will give you the confidence to begin or continue your craft.

2. Scientific Anglers Deluxe

The Scientific Anglers Deluxe kit could have you hooked to fly tying as it comes in a close second. This kit comes with everything to begin fly tying and includes some quality tools, hooks, and materials all packaged in a deluxe travel case.  You’ll be able to create effective dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, streamers, and even more.

Once you open the case, you’ll be amazed at all that Scientific Anglers deluxe thought of when creating this kit. There are over 20 fly tying items inside, from extra accessories like feathers and herl to the solid starter vise with a fixed angle head and versatile c-clamp base.

The vise, too, is strong enough to hold hooks easily. Some other essential items to note are the threader, bodkin, hackle pliers, and scissors. If all of these aren’t enough, you’ll also find a special instruction DVD featuring Greg Vinci giving novice and expert anglers tips and tricks, too.

It's bigger and heavier than our top pick and may not be as well suited for those hoping to travel long distances, but overall, it’s a great pick that’s priced well so you won’t be disappointed in your purchase.

3. WETFLY Deluxe

If you’re looking for a versatile kit in the mid-priced range, then the WETFLY Deluxe tool kit could be for you. It comes with the high-quality tools that anglers in the beginner and intermediate levels will require to tie flies.

Many anglers begin tying flies to save money, and this kit will accommodate this. It has 48 hooks in three different sizes (small, medium, and large). If you're focusing on smaller flies, then you’ll need to use its Super AA Vise with a C-clamp as the small hooks are a little hard to use, especially as a beginner.

Copper and black threads are also included, as well as chenille and yarn. These materials are great for making the body of popular fly patterns like the woolly bugger and other insects. Some of the natural materials you’ll find in this kit are Rabbit Dubbing in Olive and Gray, Medium Chenille, Marabou in Olive, Hackle in Grizzly and Brown, Elk’s hair. So there’s plenty of options to make a whole range of flies suitable for many habitats.

Also, the tools are contained in a nice case, filled with high-density foam, so it keeps everything in one place and neatly organized. The clasps have shown to be a little flimsy for some anglers, but overall, the instruments and materials inside give you plenty of options to make nymphs and wet flies. The starter kit also includes an instructional book and DVD that has proven to be helpful for beginners.

4. Orvis Premium

5. Colorado Anglers Z797

If you’re looking for a fly tying kit on a budget, this kit has every essential tool to set you off. The setup is very compact and easily fits into any backpack, with its dimensions being 9.5 x 6 x 2 inches. A thick sized novel may take up more space in your backpack, so traveling with this kit won't be a problem.

Even though the Colorado Anglers Z797  of tools may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, they can make beautiful flies like any of its competitors. Inside the wooden carrying case, you'll find vise with a base, and 8 tools made of high-grade thick steel. These are a bobbin, threader, bodkin, dubbing twister, hackle pliers, scissors, and a whip finishing tool.

One thing that makes this stand out from the rest is it is a built-in base vise. This vise is exceptionally durable for the price. It's sturdy, so this portable set can be used anywhere without having to worry about a surface for the clamp. While there are no materials or furs or threads included, you will find that the tools are conveniently sized, so you will find it very easy to work with.

6. DDF Beginner

7. Muskoka Lifestyle

If you have all of the instruments that are needed to make flies, then buying the Muskoka Lifestyle material kit is what you're looking for. When you purchase this kit, you'll get 18 pieces of bulk feathers and dubbing that are packaged in bags or packs. Don't expect a case for all of your materials, as it's not included. The goal of purchasing this kit is it allows you to stock up on all of the feathers and dubbings in many styles and colors.

The Muskoka lifestyle kit will allow you to create great existing patterns for both wet and dry flies. Some of these are nymphs, streamers, and poppers. You’ll also be able to get creative and make personalized flies suitable for the environment you're hoping to fish in.  It helps that many of the included products are challenging to find elsewhere. So you'll be receiving some truly rare materials. There is simply no limit to what you can do with this kit.

This kit is great for anglers that may have some or all of their tools already. If you're one of those anglers, then it's better to focus on quality materials by bulk buying all of your stuff together. The quantity is a great saving compared to higher prices for buying each material individually.

8. Zephyr Travel

You may be an angler who loves to be on the go. If this is the case, then getting a portable fly tying kit that’s suitable for traveling is one of your needs. The Zephyr Travel Fly Tying Kit is a perfect travel-sized kit that will suit any travelers’ needs.

The 12-piece kit features some high-quality tools that range from a hair stacker, bobbins, whip finisher and more. They're made of metal, which means that they are durable and corrosion-resistant. You'll also find an EZ Rotary Vise included. Zephyr' vise is specifically great as it provides versatility when wrapping thread and gives a smooth rotation for drying epoxies. The EZ vise is constructed of durable machined stainless steel and aluminum and fits in with all of the tools nicely.

There's also a beautiful black padded case to keep all of your tools safe and sound. It opens up so you can have a 180-degree view into the case for clear inspection. The organizers on both sides will keep each tool protected, so you don't have to worry about its durability when on the road. This kit has every tool you may need, but bear in mind; you'll need to buy your materials separately. You'll also need to learn to tie flies by yourself or through others as there are no instructions, either.

Comparing 5 Kinds of Fishing Flies

Dry Flies (ex. elk hair caddis)

Wet Flies

A wet fly is a type of artificial fly that goes under the water. Because wet flies are designed to ride beneath the water's surface, these fly patterns often incorporate some sort of weight. An example of a type we fly is a March Brown Wet fly.

Streamers (ex. Wooly bugger)

Streamers are bigger flies that you use with your larger sized rods. Anglers expect to be getting bigger, and heavier catches with this fly.  These flies imitate baitfish, crayfish, leeches, and large aquatic insects like hellgrammites. Streamers are the fly-fishing equivalent of conventional lures. When you’re making a streamer, consider starting with a wooly bugger.

Saltwater Flies

With saltwater flies, they are way bigger than most freshwater. Because of this, it’s expected to use a hook size that’s 6 and up, rather than 12 and down. Some good examples of saltwater flies are Sand Prawn and itchy Trigger.

How to Use a Fly Tying Kit

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Who makes the best fly tying tools?

There are many brands to choose from when you’re looking for the best fly tying kit. Some brands are known for specific tools or materials. If you’re looking for a kit that is solely based on tools, then Dr. Slick is a great choice. If you’ve all your tools already, Muskoka is a great brand that specializes in the material only kits. In contrast, DDF has excellent packages that have a mix of materials and tools.

Is fly tying thread the same as sewing thread?

No, The threads that are used for fly tying can be composed of nylon, polyester, or mono. These thread properties are more durable and longer-lasting as opposed to sewing thread. The width for fly tying threads differ, too. You can buy threads as thin as 0.033 mm. They can go as high as 0.076 mm.  Sewing thread is made from cotton and just won’t hold up if you get a bite from a large species.

Is it always cheaper to tie your own flies?

In Theory, this answer is yes, but many variants come into play when you’re calculating the cost. If you’re buying a cheaper flies in a fish shop, you'll typically spend between $2-$5 on average. If you buy a low-cost kit and make 20 flies, you may see savings. In short,  you'll need to make a large volume before your wallet sees the difference.

What is the spring for in a fly tying vise?

The spring holds the materials that you have tied on the hook to the vise. It's called a material spring. It’s a great addition to your vise, enabling you to keep materials like ribbing or hackles out of the way while tying in other materials. Some vises will have this accompanying it, or you can add it to your fly tying vise. So make sure you put the spring to use as it’s the most low tech but helpful you can add to your fly tying vise.

How much does it cost to make your own flies with a fishing kit?

Making your own flies differs from the material that's used to the size you'd like. Some anglers prefer to use one of a kind feathers and hairs so their flies will last longer. These obviously increase the cost in its production and can be as high as $5-8 per fly. If you're making small to medium flies, it costs, on average 20 cents - $1 per fly. If you bulk buy your materials instead of buying feathers and hairs in fishing shops, you'll save on your material expenses, and it will be more worth it in the long run.

How do you tie a saltwater fly?

When you're tying a fly for the saltwater, it's crucial that you use anti-corrosion materials so it can withstand the environment. Feathers, bucktails, and rabbit strips are the three natural materials fundamental to all saltwater-­fly tiers. They're easily accessible, relatively inexpensive, and can be found in an assortment of colors. The process of making the fly is pretty much the same though, just be sure your materials can withstand salt water, and you'll be good to go!

Conclusion