Buying Online DISCOUNT Flies

[@JP-dz7zu]

I’d rather get my $0.89 Big Y fly caught in a tree than a $3.00 Orvis one any day.

[@nitronick1220]

Now imagine throwing 30-60$ musky flies an you lose one….yeah 3$ seems like nothing now! 😂 ill never bitch about flies again.

[@gemstatefisherman3409]

@@nitronick1220 that’s why I tie my own streamers, i actually save money there. Nymphs and dries I don’t save any money. It’s cheaper to just buy them. I tie my pike streamers for just a few bucks each

[@kalikasurf]

Doesn’t matter what I pay for em……..they end up in a tree, so…….

[@hikesteepfishhigh]

😅😅😅

[@andrewknight8270]

Tie ur own if ur that worried.

[@jonathanjackson7047]

I'd take Big Y any day. They are almost half the price of the others. And there are shades of difference between the tying quality. Also, if you buy some of their collections, the price drops to almost $0.50 a fly. And they offer free shipping over $40 or $50. Not even close in my opinion.

[@jeffbrooks8288]

I did the exact same test myself about 3 years ago. I’ve been tying flies for 52 years and my eyesight isn’t what it used to be so I wanted to find an inexpensive online option for the times when I can’t tie certain smaller patterns or I’m not willing to pay the fly shop prices. There wasn’t even a contest in my opinion. Discount flies won the day and some of the others were simply junk. I was glad to see your side-by-side comparison. Thanks!

[@gemstatefisherman3409]

Big Y absolutely has the best bang for your buck! They have a combo of locals that tie and order from a major tying outfit in South Africa.. they use allot of rainys flies

[@davidbrattain1446]

Discount flies are usually tied in China or Africa and most are junk. Reply if you want flies tied in America. I tie all popular patterns in my own workshop in Georgia. I sell them for $1.25 each. Great flies tied to hatches in your region of the country...

[@8234catch]

Discount has always had great quality and the service is really good.

[@54scoker]

Agree. They call me when my stuff is ready and I just pick them up. Close to home, good prices especially if you buy in bulk.

[@CONEHEADDK]

When I tie, I use the "fire line", that I find at the water, or my own used stuff. You can tighten things really well, and it's free - win win.

[@LaramieAngler]

Great topic. I use Big Y fairly regularly and agree with your assessment. Can’t beat their prices - especially if you are needing 2 dozen basic dries for an outing with the family and you know flies will be lost. I also regularly buy streamers from them. I don’t get as much heartburn losing an articulated streamer in a logjam that cost me $2.50 vs losing a $7 streamer purchased elsewhere. And their quality for big streamers is usually very good. Sure, sometimes you may need to add a bit of head cement to them when your order arrives, or that humpy they sent may start to unravel after being in the 3rd or 4th fish mouth… but can you really complain about that when you get decent quality dry flies for around a buck a piece? All in all, I’m quite happy with Big Y Fly Co.

[@floydk2813]

Nice job Ben. Looking forward to more reviews of other vendors and streamers. I'm an avid fly tyer but I still buy flies from local shops and on-line - especially for the "sophisticated" patterns where I don't have to buy all kinds of materials to tie a dozen. Not worth the money. That said, my go-to shop has always been Discount Flies in Colorado. Nicest people and their quality is great overall. Like you, I've purchased from Fly Shack and was not impressed with the quality but they still catch fish so there's that.

[@riffsandwich9541]

Fly Shack is actually my local shop and I love them. I bought a lot of my gear there. I guess it helps to be able to walk in and pick through the flies.

[@KBosch-xp2ut]

I’m sure they’re fine. This guy just wants you to spend too much on his flies.

[@Philkoehler4]

Its my local shop as well

[@riffsandwich9541]

@@Philkoehler4 Nice! Let me know if you have an instagram I’ll give you a follow.

[@dadeking5472]

My only experience is with Big Y and they were super hit or miss. Really depends on the pattern. I've had some fall apart within just a couple casts/drifts and others last through many fish. Ultimately it encouraged me to learn how to tie some basic patterns which really has made fly fishing more fun for me.

[@IROClikethecamero]

I've had Umpqua hook tips break over and over. Huge waste of $$$. But yes, huge hit or miss on Big Y

[@highholescramblers]

Great video and breakdown Ben. I’ve purchased from 2 of those 4 and always thought discount flies were really consistent and a great value. It didn’t hurt that I could just swing by and pick them up at their little pick up box in castle rock before we moved to Northern Colorado. Always good customer service too. 👍🏼

[@thomasham8892]

So blessed to have a reputable fly shop minutes from my house for when I don’t have time to tie. Good vid.

[@glennsands9127]

There are about 5 flies that get it done for me in Colorado. I learned to tie those and practice tying them often (insert I have the uncanny ability to catch rocks). The cool thing about tying your own is that you can make them the different…slightly. That slight difference, over the uniform store bought, is what makes one fly a killer and the other one junk.

[@claytonballerine2280]

I agree, this is also the best way to make fly tying affordable! For me Hares Ear, eggstacy egg, Pheasant tails, RS2, and leech

[@garretts.2003]

I tie parachute Adam's in several colors and that's about all I need to match any hatch. I throw PMX's and blooms caddis about 90% when there is not a hatch going on. For nymphs the prince has never let me down at least during the summer.

[@brian1204]

When you factor in the cost of tools, supplies etc how much do you really save?

[@glennsands9127]

@Brian - I am tying streamers that are priced at around $8 for about a $1.50. It adds up. The real upside is customizing them so they don’t look like anything the fish has seen before and also they really mimic the actual food sources.

[@ronschlorff7089]

@@brian1204 Yeah, it's an art you had to have started long ago, before fly fishing became a big "thing". We old tyers all have now invested about $50K each in materials and tools, and we can make virtually anything for "free", well, sort of. There's always that one more "essential" material needed! ;D

[@perposterous1]

I've had that same poster since 1990. Fish of the Great Lakes i believe. Interesting colors on some of those fish lol

[@isaacboettcher3489]

I would be curious of the quality of the hooks between the brands. I have found tying flys that hooks can make a big difference when going for bigger fish. I tend to now use higher quality hooks in x strong that will be more durable and less likely to bend out.

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

An online fly shop, most likely, does not tie their own flies. I could be wrong, rarely, but, "could be", that "almost" anything online is from India, Africa or China and resold... just saying. With the quality of some of those ties, a first year fly tyer could do better. Great video though, really!!!

[@CONEHEADDK]

Ever watched some of those african women, tieing just in their hands, and faster than fuk... No wonder if they fall apart, if they actually get to experince water..

[@dadeking5472]

Seriously...I'm that first year tyer and my basic flies last way longer. I only have bought from Big Y and at the time fly quality didn't really matter since I was a beginner but I've had them fall apart after just a couple casts. Can't blame em though they can't take the time on flies in those high output environments.

[@graham5409]

A lot of flies even from bigger “more quality” brands come from overseas. I’ve seen a lot of Umpqua flies from Bangladesh, Indo, etc. A lot of tyers with famous patterns will design a fly and have it produced abroad. It is what it is, I know a guy at a pretty small local fly shop who has a pretty simple pattern and he says it’s very hard for someone to tie all the flies they sell. He sells ~10k of only this pattern a season in his shop and others and it’s a job in and of itself

[@gemstatefisherman3409]

Allot of shops order from African tying companies, then mark it up 100x for the shop. Some of the bigger name fly shops have dedicated tiers in Africa.

[@ronschlorff7089]

Yeah, even if you tie your own, you'll be using product from those countries. Glad I have some old stuff in my stash when it came from quality sources in USA and England.

[@edwardrolle7723]

As someone that lives pretty close to fly shack in NY I’ve been there and have to say they’re great for getting stuff like tying materials and gear but yeah their flies suck hahaha I’ve bought a few and definitely don’t recommend they fall apart really quick. Been tying for a couple years and can do a good bit better.

[@jimbissell7829]

Yup, I love Fly Shack! Bought size 20 adams and they were great! Bought some bass bugs and woah WTH? I could tied that! Don’t know, everything but the flies have been Quality!

[@Philkoehler4]

I live in the city the fly shack resides....ive had a few flies come apart on there own but i cant complain..its the only fly shop near me....and the stimulators from fly shack deff spin around the hook

[@ghart91]

I’ve noticed not all hook sizes are the same in different hook makers. But the gap and curve meet the size on a hook gage but lengths have varied.

[@michaelmisczuk1188]

I don't know if it still holds, but Fly Shack (Gloversville, NY) had inexpensive tungsten beadheads, for years. Great for getting two or three flies down, sub-surface. I think they were 99 cents each.

[@jscustoms5916]

Would love to see you do a video reviewing different flies from some small shops on Etsy and eBay!

[@michaelpeterson6413]

Nice honest review Ben, I always that my own tying was average at best. Now that I’ve see the fly shop ones, I’m going to bump my tying up a few notches.

[@ronschlorff7089]

Yes, and do we know who actually does the tying at these "online" shops? I'm with you, I'll use American made flies, that would be mine!! :D

[@Blues2cool]

Half buck fly shop check them out!

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Great video, I’m a tier and have to say that the price of tying has gone up dramatically hooks and materials have gone crazy in the last ten years . in a lot of cases it’s more economical to by from a discount store or your local fly shop patterns that you know you can’t tie for what you can purchase them for unless you tie a lot of that pattern. The only down side is they are never as good as the ones you tie . Thanks for the video Stay Hugh

[@MarcTelesha]

I hear you but I like my barbless hook. Fly Tying has always been expensive since A River Runs Through It. It matters with weight on nymphs. I want three or four different weights so it certainly helps that I am tying those.

[@ronschlorff7089]

Yeah, we are not in a race to do it usually. Major downside for beginners is that it takes a long time to gather materials and skills to tie your own flies. And it may not be economical in the long run to start now, Materials have gone up in price, and now they are mostly crap from China, hate getting it! Glad I still have some really old materials including real polar bear fur, gotten long before they all drowned due to Global Warming!! ;D LOL

[@arrowv1]

Great video! Didn’t know about Discount Flies until today. Thanks

[@jonstevens9931]

I live in an area where the is only one fly shop is about 20 miles away. The fly's sold are from Orvis. I like Orvis--they in my opinion produce a good product. But I have been using the Fly Shack. Better prices and a quality product.

[@rainbirrdd]

What about the weight of the beadhead? I've found some of the discount shops can use beads with like zero weight to them, which completely defeats the purpose of a sinking nymph...

[@ronschlorff7089]

a little lead wire wrap helps, if you tie flies. I think beads are mainly an attractor.

[@MTtyer]

Well....I haven't used a fly that someone else tied in several decades. For me, that's just part of it. There's really a lack of consistency of hook sizes between manufacturers. As far as prices.....buying a 200-900 dollar fly rod, 200-900 dollar waders, 50 - 100 fly line, etc...etc... Why would you cheap out on the part that you present to the fish? Just a thought.... :)

[@BrianPlastow]

Solid video! I think the dude and Discount calls everyone when they order. He likes to talk😀

[@elitaylor8387]

Enjoyed the video, looking forward to the streamer follow-up. I've recently got into fly fishing and learned a lot from Mad River Outfitters. I don't have a local fly shop so I use MRO for almost all of my fly fishing needs. Great online store, amazing staff, and very quick deliveries.

[@ColorfulCOFlyFishing]

I go to the fly shop to get materials, then I tie my own. They’re not the prettiest but they catch 😂 I would rather loose those than a store-bought fly

[@ColorfulCOFlyFishing]

i also tie some streamers but mostly buy them

[@mdskater210]

On the black pheasant tail is one wrapped in copper and the rest silver?

[@lunkerjunkie]

I did the $1 fly thing once first two had hackles blow off on the back cast before they even hit the water

[@det282]

Memo to self: Don’t send Ben any flies to grade because you suck at tying them. Question to Ben: When you “write off” the cost of ordering flies on your tax form, do you put “Huge Fly Fisherman” in the occcupation box?

[@alexhendrick8288]

Lololololol l

[@ronschlorff7089]

right, but never annoy the IRS needlessly, especially now that they are desperate for your tax money to pay for all their spending in Washington. I'd say something like "recreational entrepreneur" or other cryptic thing. ;D

[@komando8365]

Just saw this... I've done this same thing recently and all of these companies have massive flaws. I can see why Umpqua, Fulling Mill and the other big guys charge what they do.

[@thomasabbott6059]

Great video, really caught my attention, and supper useful info to know

[@j.p.7309]

The “divider” in the little card board box was probably to keep the flies from getting smashed.

[@ronschlorff7089]

did the job, divider smashed, flies ok!! ;D

[@1MarkBevans]

All great points, BigY is the only one I’ve ever purchased from. Our local shops is where I’ve bought the most from. Nice review !

[@WhiskeyRiverFlyFishing]

Great review. Keep ‘em coming

[@voltracer9993]

Big Y is great for streamers, but not as much for nymphs. However their dries are not bad at all. Hope this helps anyone looking at this website.

[@philipreasbeck9094]

I have purchased dozens of flies from fly shack and big y fly. Fly shack flies seem cheap to me and they fall apart too easily. One exception to that rule are the foam elk hair caddis flies from big y. Every time I take one out of a fish's mouth the foam comes off.

[@smr9981]

Great Flies on eBay always does me right. And they have “great” right there in the name.

[@joeg5414]

Definitely makes things easier. Although, I did buy a car once from "honest johns used cars" and honest John put sawdust in the transmission fluid 🤣

[@Victor47930]

Yes - more of these kind of videos please. And you can call the series "How Crappy Can They Be?"

[@nate5811]

Do a review of websites to see who has the best fly tying supplies. I like fly shack for that so I can tie my own crappy flies. Like everything these days no one has that one stop shopping since they can’t seem to make the stuff fast enough. Pick three flies, three websites, and buy the same material from each…. If they have it all. Do a PMX cause it’s got all sorts of crap on it lol. It’s also my favorite to tie and to use. Drives my Missouri stocked trout nuts.

[@outdoorlife2577]

If you ever need some flies or want to do this in the future I sell flies, just like to tie basic flies they catch most of the fish. Love to hear your thoughts on them, thanks for the vid and see you next week

[@swagdaddy6954]

Anglers dream fly shop is by far the best flies I’ve ever got at like 70 cents a fly. Definitely would order from them again and have ordered numerous times and will continue to order basic patterns from them

[@frankmangieri2077]

Great idea ben! do streamers next!

[@jasonatkins1095]

Can you tell me the twist test? I'm sorry if you've already answered previously and I missed it

[@joeg5414]

11:30 - am I crazy or is one of those (bottom left) tied with copper ribbing and the rest silver? 🤔

[@benjohnston6232]

If you do more of these maybe judge the quality of the hook as well, had lots of mixed luck with hook quality (bending out easily) with online flies- cheers

[@johnhunt5856]

Big Y has the cheap and easy remedy - 11/12 flies are durable also - "can't beat the price" would be my tag line

[@philipvankampen3394]

I was surprised you didn't test the hook for sharpness and strength. :(

[@wchougland1]

I’ve tried the fly shack and bigY…. A lot! For my 30 or so weekends each summer, with lots of friends (who ask me where to go)… I send them to BigY cheap.. and they work, most of the time they have the bugs I need.. with that number of bugs, I can not afford to spend an extra$1 each.. Go BigY!

[@phoult37]

If you buy flies, check out Sierra Trading Post...they sell bulk Umpqua, etc at 50% or more off.

[@troutvisionllc]

If I buy em it’s umpqua flies for sure #supportsignaturetiers

[@vonzaner]

You didn't mention anything about the shipping cost. Was this factored into your stated prices? If not, how do does each compare? Just curious.

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

Yes, shipping was included in the prices that I stated.

[@turner427]

5:55 dude open ur beer!

[@austinelliott2798]

I haven't bought a lot of flies since I started tying my own about a year ago. My flies are NOT fly-shop quality, but they catch fish.

[@ronschlorff7089]

Best comment!

[@IROClikethecamero]

I just pick flies out of trees. 100% cost savings...but quality inconsistencies

[@MyPancho1]

Good info! Thanks!

[@alexburkey9478]

I know nothing about anything but Ascent Fly Fishing is my local spot for flies in the Front Range

[@colin5665]

Fly shack is the best for discounted tying materials (tungsten 100 packs), but definitely not the greatest flies

[@easley27b]

Good video, perhaps do one on some of the subscription services? Example: Postfly, etc

[@danielburgess7785]

Country of origin for the bugs?

[@jaredwing8248]

I always purchase all my flies from discount flies and of course local shops when i pass by them.

[@connorcarson2622]

For all of my basic flies, I go with Big Y. Not amazing quality, but they are decent and consistent. For large salt water flies, however, my local shop is preferred.

[@Hrogthar]

Best bang for your buck for sure.

[@jimhines9553]

Loved the video, would love to see more like this.

[@pavelrun]

Do Anglers Dream Fly Shop next. Solid nymphs and dries

[@johnperrigot7532]

Can you do a test for discount vs fly shop flys?

[@klaaslangendoen4613]

Thanks man, nice topic. Keep charing.

[@LaramieAngler]

Also, my friend John loses a ton of flies. He’s always getting hung up in a tree, or getting his zipper stuck in the riverside toilet facility.

[@ColoradoBornAndRaised]

Discount Flies is great. I have ordered dozens of flies from him over the years. I am local so I drive over and pick them up from his house. Never once have I received a fly that wasn’t considered perfect in my eyes. Highly recommend.

[@MisanthropicAngler]

“Who cares. Beats tying them” Haha. Spent all this time learning to tie and I find myself saying the same thing. :)

[@kmgsage]

Been patronizing Discount Flies for many years, since their beginning in Parker. Great flies, good discounts, terrific shipping, nice people.

[@philf2061]

Ascent fly fishing gets most of my $$$ for flies. The rest come from Orvis whenever I'm in their stores and the freebies from Trout Unlimited. Probably spent about $300 so far on flies since I started 5ish years ago. Now I just need one of those I suck at fly fishing hats.

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

hugeflyfisherman.com/product/i-suck-at-fly-fishing-hat/

[@adrenalzen]

That was super helpful! Thanks man!!

[@danielfutato9090]

One thing I have to say for Big Y is that their flies float like a cork! Not really what I wanted from Dolly Llamas though.

[@RedSinter]

Hey Ben, would love to go and browse unfortunately they don't exist within a 100 miles or more. So.

[@MichaelJohnson-lx1lc]

Half buck fly shop for custom flies that are not in the catalog. Vanilla Buggers for $0.75 when I don't have time to tie my own. Big Y for perdigon nymphs. Agree on all of the other comments, hit and miss.

[@mfhthenycflyguy7085]

New to channel - great vid!

[@perfectmoment]

Has anyone besides me caught your fly in a bush, and then when you’re getting it out you found someone else’s fly as well?!

[@cptjeff1]

Oh, certainly! About a month ago, I also managed to retrive one I had lost myself a year earlier.

[@bpdp379]

On the Madison you will find rigs in the fish all the time…

[@gregsage1605]

Cheap fly's are best when back casting for trees....

[@gurumagoo]

Ive bought flies from the Fly Shack, and I have to say, i wasnt impressed. They were just thrown together seemingly without any pride in their workmanship. They were fragile, sloppy, and very inconsistent. I remember my order included some smallish olive wooley buggers and they looked more like beaded pheasant tails. The marabou tails were simply aweful. I think I just gave them away instead of wasting my time using them. I spent about $65 with them and I wish I had just saved my money and bought fewer flies from people who actually care about the quality of their product. The Y is the way to go. Ive never been disapointed with their flies.

[@finncook3939]

Those flies all looked like flies that I tie with the inconsistencies and everything haha

[@josephclarkson1134]

This video was cool, I would watch more of this stuff

[@sweetninjaoftruth]

Yet another great video, Ben. Being British, I buy exclusively from Fulling Mill. I find their flies exquisite, and it helps hugely with my superiority complex.

[@klb6910]

Like the fly comparisons. Disagree with you on packaging, the Fly Shack was the only one with environmentally friendly packaging. Paper breaks down, plastic is forever.

[@pavelrun]

Depends what they used to gloss the paper, or if it’s a pvc infused paper

[@klb6910]

@@pavelrun You are correct. But all the fly shops that I have been to that use paper boxes, use heavy stock plain paper boxes.

[@PhantomJM]

Flies are pretty disposable items. I'll go with an 89 cent fly any day so long as it catches fish. If it breaks off or gets hung in a tree, no big loss.

[@hunters1372]

Should try Region, their selection isn’t particularly huge but I’ve had no complaints as far as quality and the prices are outstanding.

[@erikseymour6038]

So I have fished many flies from Big Y. To be honest they have been alright for me. Hooks are solid and sharp. Are they the best aesthetically tied flies? No, they are not but, for quality they arent bad at all. I have ordered material and hooks from The Fly Shack and I will give them a thumbs up for that. Dont know anything about their fly's. This all being said, Umpqua and Rio definitely have nicer and higher quality fly's but, you pay for them.

[@TopSecretVid]

where is this beer with flies action, cos that ain’t ever happened to me..

[@brian1204]

Do the overall costs include shipping?

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

Yes

[@donotrobme9295]

Love this video. Thx

[@tracyb1577]

Happy Huge day everyone!

[@tracyb1577]

Huge Fly fisherman’s prayer?: I suck at fly fishing. But I can do better. If I have to. I guess.

[@charlieboutin3341]

@@tracyb1577 😂👍 I still watch Red/Green occasionally on KZbin

[@tracyb1577]

@@charlieboutin3341 I am becoming more like him every day.

[@thomasharrison72]

When I was a kid in the late 80s I got flies from a company in Wales for 12p (about 16 cents) and they were tidy, flies have got expensive. Tie my own now but probably spend way too much on gear I don't really need. Either way I still get pissed off when I put them in a tree 😩

[@ronschlorff7089]

Pack a small axe, I do!! ;D

[@WatersEquipment]

Wow I guess I feel better about my elk hair caddis that I tie after seeing this 🤣

[@vincecaporale3544]

what about redd's? aren't they one of your sponsors?

[@StickyFlyCompany]

Country of manufacture?

[@Civiliwoodworks]

Discount flys is Awesome. I’m local to them so I know exactly where they come from. It is a cheaper option than most of the fly shops which tend to be 3-5 bucks a fly. Discount are great and for me at least supports the local economy

[@54scoker]

ha! and the bulk discount is great.

[@squidjuice5170]

Can you do a video on spinning deer hair