Where Do You Get Your Flies?

[vanven]

I have interest in learning to tie flies, but generally lack the time, fine motor skills, and equipment to do it myself. So for the sake of this thread I buy all my flies.

I have purchased flies through the internet from some of the bulk vendors. I am generally satisfied with the larger flies such as egg sucking leeches and wolly buggers. I don't see a lot of midge patterns and nymphs that I consider high quality, generally the glue is sloppy and the workmanship shoddy. The large flies are relatively simple to tie and I generally fish them at night where they get less scrutiny. I am comfortable buying these flies almost anywhere.

I have purchased quite a few flies through the Lilley's Fly Shop. I generally shop for flies made by names I recognize. Leonard makes great streamers (PMS) while Jeremy Hunt makes great egg patterns and rusty midges. That isn't to say that the rest of the flies in his selection aren't worthy, but that I tend to stick with what I know.

I am looking for a good source of midge patterns: rusty, red glass head, WD-40s. I am also looking for quality scud patterns: browns, flashy, gray, tan. Who makes good flies in these categories? Who makes the best? I know I can walk into Anglers and Archers, Lilley's, and River Run and walk out with quality flies. I am not interested in quality. I want the best. I want to pull that trout crack fly out of my box and know that it was made based on the original pattern and not a cheap offshore imitation.

Suggestions?

-Jerod

[flyfishmaster]

Vanven,

If you are looking for some real quality USA made flies, take a look at this site.

BigHorn Flies website

IMO, Eric has some really great patterns at good prices to boot.

Later,

FFM

[Outside Bend]

I know you said you didn't tie, but if you're looking mostly for midges and scuds, you really ought to look into it. Most of those patterns are pretty basic, and the materials are pretty cheap and easy to obtain.

If you can tie your shoes, you can tie those flies

OR you could talk to some local tiers and work out a custom-order deal, as well.

[troutfiend1985]

Scuds and midges would be an easy tie. You also said you like to fish wooly buggers and those are simple ties as well. I think that dropping a few bucks and getting a vise, some hooks and some materials would be a worthwile investment.

[vanven]

Vanven,

If you are looking for some real quality USA made flies, take a look at this site.

BigHorn Flies website

IMO, Eric has some really great patterns at good prices to boot.

Later,

FFM

I will have to order a sample of flies from them. They cover most if not all of the usual patterns I fish plus a few slightly different patterns that Taney fish might not see often.

-Jerod

[Rolan Duffield]

vanven:

I see you are from Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City chapter of the Missouri Trout Fishermens Association will start a fly tying class on September 13, 2010.

This is a very enjoyable hobby you can enjoy throughout your life. This is the only practicable way to get those flies you desire and more importantly the fun of catching Trout on flies that you tie.

Contact: Kent Inman at 816-682-4924

[jdmidwest]

A destination fly shop will have local patterns that you need for the fishery there, probably some that you will not find anywhere else. The staples can be purchased at any major fly catalog or online.

[OKFlyFisher44]

Check out Big Y Fly Co and River Bum on the net. I tie 75% of my own stuff but there is some stuff I just don't bother with so I buy from these vendors. Their flies are good quality and the prices are outstanding.

[vanven]

Vanven,

If you are looking for some real quality USA made flies, take a look at this site.

BigHorn Flies website

IMO, Eric has some really great patterns at good prices to boot.

Later,

FFM

This is an old thread at this point but I want to follow up.

I have made several orders with Eric at BigHorn Flies website. I am very pleased with the quality of the flies, oh yeah they are relatively cheap too. He uses quality materials, and above all quality hooks. I am very happy to have a new box full of flies to try out on my next trip.

-Jerod

[N Wolf]

Just so you know, most people modiffy an original patern to improve on it. For instance, I leave a couple of inches of thread hanging from the tail of wooly bugers and griffiths nats to wind back over the hackle to keep it from breaking after two fish. Thats not in the original but it should be. When you buy those patterns they arent done that way becouse it takes more time and production suffers. My truck doesnt look anything like a model T but I would be glad to race if you have one. See my point?