Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014 - 16

Tying it
Together II:

From the

Vise
to the

Stream

Teaching Children the Art of Fly Tying
by Christian Shane

photos by the author

Your dream of sharing advice from the vise has become
a reality. Fly tying tricks of the trade have "hooked" your
youngster into tying flies. He or she can tie a decent Woolly
Bugger and even half hitch with confidence. Your youngster
can dub fur and wrap a feather to the hook shank. This is a
great opportunity to take your child's tying skills and interest
in the outdoors to the next level.

Fly shop field trip

What better place to start your young fly tyer in their fly
tying journey than a trip to the local fly shop or outdoor
store? Kids love to browse through fly bins, feathers and fly
tying and fishing equipment. Purchase a small fly box, and
let them fill it up with fly goodies. Point out and encourage
them to choose their favorite flies and flies that they have
attempted to tie, such as Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears and
Woolly Worms. These familiar patterns will allow them to
notice the similarities and differences between their own
flies and the professional ones.
Introduce them to interesting pattern names such as
Lefty's Deceiver, Bird's Nest and San Juan Worm. Your
child will enjoy remembering these flies and their unique
names. Point out the techniques, skills and information
you've shared with them such as hackle wraps, fly tying
materials and fly proportions. From the tiniest Griffith's Gnat
to the largest Muddler Minnow, they will appreciate your
enthusiasm for tying and especially develop their own fly
sense when searching for patterns.

16

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2014

Tying together

After your fly shop field trip, get them back to the vise.
When you feel they are ready, begin the usual patterns
with a twist. Set up your vise alongside the youngster.
Tying beside your fly tyer can be a great teaching tool for
an intermediate tyer and will provide them with a different
perspective at the vise, particularly with fly proportions.
Your child can tie step-by-step with you as you share
new techniques with familiar patterns such as a flashback
on a Pheasant Tail, a beadhead added to any pattern,
rubber legs on a Copper John or wings on a Rusty Spinner.
Not only will they recognize these flies, but also their
tying skills will improve as you share these more advanced
techniques. In addition, they will enjoy adding your
completed fly pattern to their fly box.

Stream field trip

The time has finally come to get your young fly tyer on
the stream and connect what they've learned at the vise
with real-world applications. Although it's tough to put
your fly rod aside, use this opportunity to introduce your
young one to the variety of life in and along the waterway.
Begin your approach to the stream by showing him or her
how to notice the ecosystem around them. Look for bugs
together. Examine spider webs, turn over leaves, poke
through streamside grasses and shrubs and observe the
water's surface for miniature life forms. Your child will
gain a deeper understanding of what your flies represent
or imitate.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014

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