Art and Creativity: Yes, Fly Tying

The Bare Medium (Well Almost Bare) to Create

It is time to check out whether there is a local fly tying class offered near you. Most classes start in September or October and run through the late Winter. Whether you take it from a fly shop, community college, rec center, private lessons…however, it will enhance your overall enjoyment of fly fishing.

Do you recall being a child in elementary school? That wonderful time came around for Art Class. Fun sessions of molding clay or finger painting, pasting pieces of paper together, eating paste, crayons and drawing. Everyone did it, some better than others, but everyone participated and were creative in some form or fashion. Dare I say it….fly tying is like that. At the elementary level, it is about basic creations that let you follow instructions, avoid instructions (just like back then), create, take pride, sigh or sit and stare. And, if you just put a little effort into it, you will create pieces of art that seduce not only you but the fish! Give it a try.

Fly Tying: When Do You Tie?

A weighty question of when do you tie? I find, I seldom tie during the Summer months unless to replenish something I either lost a bunch of or I discover a pattern I forgot to tie up and now find the need for. I notice others tie often throughout the year. I also notice when I start to tie again during the Fall/Winter my tying skills have retreated and it takes a while to get into the swing of it all. Like riding a bike it comes right back. So, I guess my tying is more utilitarian and less for the joy of it all. Because I haven’t tied a fly in many months. I borrowed this shot from someone, but neglected to note the source when I downloaded it. Sorry about that. SwittersB