Tying Small Dry Flies - Part 1

[@markinnis5978]

One of the hardest things about tying tiny flies is having the proper equipment to do the job. 1) have a vice that can comfortably hold tiny hooks. 2) proper thread, i like the trico thread: uni-thread 40D 17/0 3) proper glasses. * sit at your vise comfortably and take a tape measure and measure from your eyes to the vise. Then go to your eye glass doctor of your choice and tell them you need glasses to see clear at 12" or 13" or 14" whatever your comfort zone is. Mine is 12 inches. This changed everthing for me. No magnifying glass needed, which are difficult to use. 4) use an Emery board to file all the rough bumps and edges of skin off your fingers. So you do not snag the very thin thread that you will be using. This makes a huge difference for being successful, tying size 24 and smaller These are some of the things I have done to make tiny ass fly tying more enjoyable and successful. Nice video!❤

[@locomtn16a2]

#4 !

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Totally agree! Fantastic points raised by Mark.

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Fantastic points, Mark! Annoyingly, I had the topic of glasses and vice on my notes for this video, but it looks like I forgot to include them. Thanks for reminding me, and I'll make sure to include them in the next video. Also, it's rare I hear about suggestions around emery boards...I've discussed this in the past and it's somthing so obvious, yet an area we don't discuss much. Great points Mark!

[@Tjk186]

Introducing the 'Everything and Nothing' range of small flies for fish with better eyes than most of us 🤣love the way you're doing what you're doing via these videos that address changing conditions on our planet/rivers etc ...absolutely great and such helpful tips...much appreciated Gareth

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Really appreciate that feedback TK! Thank you!

[@derekyoung20552]

Proper tidy Gaz. Looking forward to the next one.

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Thanks Derek! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@Lutztheflytyer]

Great Video, fantastic Channel, thank you, yes a part 2 and 3 is needed,😊

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Super pleased you enjoyed. Part 2 is already in the works 😉

[@Col69in]

Really loved this video, I'm going to buy some really small hooks and give it a go, I've been tying fly's for 35 years and I've never went above 18s, so you've definitely inspired me, thanks, Colin 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Really appreciate the kind words, Colin! Have fun with the small stuff and let me know how you get on. It’s certainly fun 🙂

[@patriciaschlumpfmutze1003]

Very interesting

[@zhuanjifarms5050]

Hey Gareth! Your channel magically came up in my feed. I've had the pleasure to chat casually with Ed and his buds many times here on the Front Range of Colorado. Love that you made well-organized, specific content on the small stuff. Been drawing on their combined Rocky Mountain wisdom at the bench since '98. Thanks for the clear, concise, chill content. Tight lines!

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

@@zhuanjifarms5050 That is so cool! I’ve been a huge fan of Ed’s books for a long time. Thanks so much for the comment, and keep enjoying the Rocky Mountain bench wisdom! 🙌🏻

[@markeveleigh8654]

Nice one Gareth! Will definitely give the macro tying a go. Good video! See you in May, as long as the old ticker holds out! Mark

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

@@markeveleigh8654 Thanks Mark. Let me know how you get on. And go easy mate…we want you attending a lot more socials yet!

[@fudd126]

Yes Gareth please do a part 2… I want to fill my box this winter with small flies… I need to stop at the fly shop and get smaller thread 24/0. Looking forward to the next one thanks peace ✌🏻

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Consider it on the list! There’ll also be a Part 3 on the river where I’ll discuss leader and tipper makeup, and hopefully I can catch a few fish…stay tuned for that after March next year when the season starts 🙂

[@janbobrowski2474]

Nice tutorial, I would be interested in your fly for small late season dun pattern, pale wateries. The late season brood seems a lot smaller.

[@pauldeaville9735]

Excellent tutorial Gareth Thank you. Both clear and concise with no bull, now looking forward to more of the same. Tight Threads. 👌👍

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Thanks for the very kind words Paul! I've a long list of future videos...it'll certainly keep me busy through winter until the trout season opens in March :)

[@CBL138]

Awesome video! Seldom find videos dedicated to small flys. Really nice. Thanks

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Thanks for the kind words, Chris! Really glad you enjoyed it 🙌🏻

[@dankochanek8056]

This was fantastic. Ed Engle is a magician. His books are amazing. Gareth, I'm glad I came across this video. I'm a fan!! Looking forward to more!!

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

He is indeed the magician, and I absolutely love his books. I return to them regularly. After moving home last Easter, I think another visit might be on the cards this weekend. Glad you enjoyed the video, and thank you for the kind words!

[@BP-1988]

Great tips! Thanks.

[@FD-dh2fu]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@alexlewis8744]

This is a great video and I really like the use of a theme, as opposed to just the tie of a specific fly. Off to tie some of the size 24 parachute flies now. thanks Gareth

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Really appreciate that, Alex! Glad you enjoyed and have fun with the 24s 🙌🏻

[@thefella131]

Great video fella. Subbed.

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

@@thefella131 Super glad you enjoyed it and thank you for subscribing 🙌🏻

[@chili1593]

Very nice tutorial and for me an introduction into smaller patterns. Excellent thank you.

[@sirmegallot3276]

I never fish smaller than #20s, somtimes I'll just tie a smaller body on the 20 hook. Maybe one day I'll fish a 22... I doubt it. Even very picky fish I can usually get to eat as long as drift is perfect. I enjoyed your patterns, thanks.

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

A good technique, more so if you're trying to fool a potentially larger fish. Most of my fishing is done with 16-20 patterns, but the Usk in south wales has a lot of smaller invertebrates. That said, if I jump over to a small tributary, the trout are happy to take size 12's :)

[@markrobinson3841]

Great video Lewis will done mate. Can see a fly swop at the BFFI 😉😉

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Thanks Mark, and any time mate!

[@davidgregg8757]

Great video, nailed it , looking forward to the next one, I thought your snowshoe emerger looked top class on Saturday, would be good to see a video on that 👍

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Biggest thanks David. Funny enough, the SHE is on the list for a future video. Stay tuned and hope you enjoyed the weekend!

[@TheWobblyFace]

Very good video Gareth, the first I've come across explaining and tying tiny flies. I don't go smaller than 24 though have tied tiny flies on larger hooks for hook strength, I'll have to checkout those Fulling Mill hooks. Thank you for sharing.

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm pretty much the same. As I mentioned, my 'main' patterns are 16-20, but there are times (more and more each year) where I drop down to 24, but that's usually the smallest these days. Thanks again for the kind words!

[@davidwester9761]

@@GarethLewisFlyFishing I will also look into the Fulling Mill hooks. Another good option is the Gamakatsu C12-BM in sizes 26-30. they are barbless and don't straighten out even on large trout

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

@ Perfect! Thanks David 👍🏻

[@ianhedley7445]

Excellent video Gareth, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Harry Parr told me about this video. It did not appear on my notifications for another day or so. It seems Harry is quicker than KZbin at spreading the word😆Incidentally we met at the BFFI last year. I wonder if you have managed to have a read of Gone Fishing by Negley Farson or any of Laurence Catlows writings? If not you are in for a treat.

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Biggest thanks, Ian! Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you too for the booked recommendations. You know I’m always looking for good books, so I’ll definitely check out those recommendations. If you’re planning on visiting BFFI in February, pop by for a chat. It would be great to catch up!

[@jackkrag]

Fish first !!

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

@@jackkrag …every day, all day 🙌🏻

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

Wonderful 🍻

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

Sorry, what is your Sage LL rod weight to fish sub 20 flies?

[@glenndotter5065]

Good video.

[@Coupery]

Great vid, love your style! Can you tell me the name of the vice and the scisor you used? Thanks!

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed it! I use a couple of different scissors, and jump between a pair of Fulling Mill Razor scissors and a smaller pair of Kopter scissors. Both are great. The vice is the awesome Regal Medallion with Stainless Steel jaws, and it can tie everything I need, even down to size 32 (when I'm that crazy to need to!) - regalvise.com/stainless-steel-vise-head/ Simple setup, open/close, and grips perfectly. I can’t recommend it enough.

[@brianwhitfield3360]

Great tutorial, I love tying small flies but have in the past found anything smaller than a# 22 difficult to source especially the daiichi flies with the oversized eye, I like the look of the tactical midge. Only complaint is the background music , it is reminiscent of being held in a queue on the phone.

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Thanks Brian! And yes, I love the oversized eye on the Daiichi models. Really helps in the smaller sizes. Consider the background music suggestion taken onboard. I’m always looking to develop the videos further 👍🏻

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

@@GarethLewisFlyFishing We are kind of in a queue for your two next video instalments 🙂 So music was appropriate

[@glenndotter5065]

Watched again and you make it look easy. How bout a 26 parachute. I will be working my way down as soon as my eye heals from my 11th retinal detachment surgery.

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Thanks Glen! Go easy with the eye and hope it’s on the mend. I’m sure I can step things down with the inclusion of a 26 in the next video 😉 Stay tuned…

[@chasselynch5733]

No time to float smoke jumpers?

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

Is a smoke jumper a fly pattern? It's not one I'm familiar with.

[@Aloistruebner]

[@wtw406]

The background music is incredibly distracting and you should get rid to it

[@GarethLewisFlyFishing]

@@wtw406 Thanks for the feedback! I’ll take it onboard 🙂