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Guide Flies

There are flies that you hang on the wall; there are flies that look awesome in the boxes at the fly shop.  Then there are the flies you want in your box when you are at the river; these flies are called “Guide Flies”.  Typically used by fly fishing guides, these are the flies that I not only tie, but, that I fish myself.  If you were on a desert island with a trout stream or a big ocean and you only could have 10 fly patterns, these are the ones.

Guide flies are typically not “secret” flies that no one knows of. Instead, Guide Flies are patterns that have been researched, studied, river tested and modified over years of use.  And all the guide flies that I tie are deadly effective to fish.  I know because i fish them myself.

I tie all these flies myself.  I fish the flies I tie.  I don’t offshore tying to quickly mass producing sweat shops in Siri Lanka or Kenya.  One big reason is that they cannot get the right materials and it’s too expensive to send it to them.  A lot of retailers claim they use the highest quality hooks and materials.  And some do.  There are a lot of great retailers out there.  Well my promise to you is that I do.  I am always trying and testing new materials and patterns.  I use a combination of natural and the latest synthetic materials.  I’m a technology guy by trade, so I test and liberally use all the latest technology advances in tying materials, especially fluorescent, Ultra-Violent and even glow in the dark materials.  Additionally, I do time consuming methods which commercial tyers cannot afford to do.  I do because this is a hobby business designed to make fly fishers happy.

Guide flies are therefore a little different to standard shop bought patterns. Some of these dry fly patterns don’t look so pretty when viewed from above.  The trout do not view them from above; birds do.  and yea, i have had birds take a huck hopper. These flies are designed to be viewed from below the water; for the most success in fishing them.  They are not designed to look pretty.

I have been sending flies to guides all the way down to total beginners all over the world for years. Not in huge quantities, but enough to necessitate the need for this site so that I can scale without killing myself.  If you are a guide or outfitter feel free to send me an email.