How to tie a Freestyle Wet Fly

[@scotsmaninthephilippines1659]

Thanks for the video. Your quite right when advicing folk to tie freestyle, I used to do this all the time. Just learned a few basic technics and after viewing lots of fly tying videos, especially those of Davie Macphail, I tied flies of "no name no pattern", tying 3 different sizes and took them fishing. Those that caught were tied again and those that didn't stayed in the fly wallet. Tell you it's so rewarding to catch a nice fat trout on a fly of your own creation. After that I'd give MY pattern a name. My most successful fly was called the Bangour Bug. Good times. Keep uup you good work and tight lines

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks pal, I wouldn't mind a wee look at that Bangour Bug ;-)

[@simonlakin5067]

All of my flies I tie are free style 😉 thanks Lindsay, great video

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Very welcome Simon.

[@kerrypitt9789]

Nothing wrong with this pattern at all. Dragon Nymph, minnow, light coloured Leech, how has it worked for you. Gary LaFountaine's philosophy was to "Stack," no tail materials, because nature never provided that type of evenness. Nice bug Lindsay.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

It works well as a Bob fly for traditional loch style fishing. I never put to much stock in completely imitative we are talking fish which will eat just about anything put in front of it. 😉

[@charlesloftis2920]

"...Cry into your giant pillow." That's great, Lindsay! Thanks for sharing this with us. That'll be a fantastic caddis pupa imitation in sizes 6-10 over here on Great Plains still waters.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

You are very welcome Charles.

[@FlyTyer1948]

A simple, fast to tie & nice-looking fly which is sure to fool fish. Tied by a highly skilled (I disagree with your self-assessment.) tier. Thank you so much for pointing out that you can create effective flies with materials that are similar but don’t perfectly match the materials list for a specific fly. Novice tyers can get obsessive about exactly matching everything. For example, 1 novice I know went through dozens of catalogs & drove hours to visit trappers looking for pink, urine-stained, female fox fur from the rear under belly for a Hendrickson. He would have done just fine with pink dyed rabbit fur. Yes, the guy found the fox fur... we will avoid revealing his identity, but he sometimes glues his hook & fingers together.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

lol..... Thats the obsessive side of fly fishing, no doubt we all suffer from it from time to time. I think you can often just make do with what you have. Thanks for the kind comment.

[@letmeshowyousomething2649]

Credit where it's due. Beautiful fly, and i never get tired of seeing any dubing. Dont be afraid of your patience. It's a good thing to take your time in some techniques. Anywho great job, far play on the free style. I like it. And dont wanna see my giant pillow. He he

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks pal.

[@WATTSROBIN]

The term I use is "inspired by" for various patterns. I could never call them variations as the end product could look nothing like the fly that inspired me.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I know exactly what you mean Robin.

[@fliesbychris]

Now I know what to do with my bag of dyed Guinea fowl feathers!!. Cheers Lindsay, keep them coming!!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Chris i'll do my best pal.

[@fishcatcherfleas]

Totally agree about free-styling. Good to make the most of the materials you have at hand. Tidy pattern sir.

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

I totally agree. its fun and enjoyable as well. :-)

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Alastair, tight wraps.

[@duderoony]

Nice fly dude. I love ‘em scruffy! Thanks for sharing another one.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Cheers Buddy.

[@nicolelewis1828]

Love this vid (and the Oscar Wilde quote, too!) :-)

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Nicole.

[@marcocapozzella]

Cracking looking fly, would fish this all day long

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Marco.

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Great Idea. I make up my own as well when I need to and for fun as welll. There is way too much emphasis on exca-t patterns even tough I love the great traditional flies! I love your presentations-very clear and you have a very enjoyable presence. Great looking fly by the way. :-)

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Terry, nice of you to say pal.

[@glideman]

Nice fly 👍

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Buddy

[@MrJimmuck]

Hello Lindsay, I hope you are well. I think most keen tiers will tie freestyle flies … I do when I just fancy tying and there is nothing on my list of flies to tie. I have some quite successful patterns in my boxes from such a scenario!! Atb Jim

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I like nothing more than sitting at the vice just tying with what's at hand, hope your well pal,

[@dannymcg8300]

Very nice looking fly Lindsay. A great job there in the tying and well explained also. Many thanks for sharing.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Danny you are very welcome.