WARM UP THE VISE!!!
By Montana Grant

Posted: January 25, 2020

Winter is the time to reload your fly and jig boxes. You may also want to add hair to some of your spinners. The important thing is to do an inventory of what you have and what you need.

Once you know what is needed for the new season, make a list. How many new ones will be needed? Sizes? Colors? Etc. Gather the materials that you will need and get set up.

For example, No one has enough Caddis dry flies. I prefer the X-Caddis in size 12-18. My primary colors are peacock, tan, gray, and black/slate. All will carry the same wing material. Now, organize your tying area to just tie one fly, one size, one color. Clear the decks of everything else. You want no distractions.

Never tie less than a dozen of whatever. In this way you will have a dozen of useful flies. Some will be great, some fair, and some to give away. Great lighting is important and as we age, cheater glasses help. I also use a magnet pad/ refrigerator ad, stick on to keep y hooks in place at my bench.

For a new fly, or one that you are having trouble tying, set up your tying station in front of a TV. Now search on your iPad, or computer, for YouTube videos on how to tie your fly. Follow the steps and rewind as needed. We are visual learners and seeing is believing and understanding for most of us. You will be amazed how quickly you can learn ad improve your fly choices.

Most fly guys use 6 basic flies. A Caddis, Adams, Hopper, San Juan Worm, Wooly Bugger, and an Ant. We also carry dozens of other patterns but focus on what you have the best success with. Now Dedicate one fly box as your arsenal for reloading your vest fly box.

The more you tie, the better you will become. Lefty Kreh, my fishing mentor, told me that you are not a master tier for a pattern until you have tied it 1,000 times or more. Take advantage of the tools, technology, and accessories to allow you to become a better tier.

Tie one on now!

Montana Grant

For more Montana Grant, hook up at www.montanagrantfishing.com.

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