When we take our fly-fishing Treks, I always bring along my fly-tying gear. I learned this need from Lefty Kreh, on a wonderful fly-fishing trip, along the Potomac River. In Maryland. The local fly-fishing club was called the MFA. The Maryland Fly Anglers. Lefty and so many other fly-fishing legends were in the club. 

The Potomac River near Williamsburg MD. is loaded with history and smallmouth bass. It was here that Gen. Lee crossed the river with his army to fight Civil War battles at Antietam and Gettysburg. The shallow and rock-strewn river bottom was good to navigate and fly fish.

In the summer, a White Miller hatch would happen, and every bass in the river would feast on these big flies. I had several size 10 and 12 dry flies but not nearly enough. I brought along my fly fixins just in case. 

The first night in camp, I noticed Lefty, and several other fly tyers sitting around the tables drinking beer and tying flies. One BIG hat was in the center of the table. They invited me to sit down and start tying White Millers. They were tying size 6-12 hooks, and I was ready to go. When you tied a fly, it went into the hat.

I learned more about fly tying over the next few hours than ever before. At the end of the tying session, we got to pick any two dozen dry flies out of the hat! They went by age, youngest first! I was a kid and none of the flies that I took from the hat were mine. 

Some of the tyers could tie five flies to my one so there were plenty of leftovers. The next day we hit the hatch and had a great time. In the evening, we all sat down and reloaded for the next hatch.

Every fly angler has run out of flies. Sometimes the fish are very specific. If you catch 5-6 fish on one fly, it gets chewed up fast. I have reloaded my fly boxes on many tailgates and bar tops over the years. 

Tailgate tying can be a pain if you are with a crew of guys that cannot tie. This means that they serve the beer, do the cooking and cleanup and tend to camp chores while I tie. Fly Anglers hate paying $2.50 -$6.00 for a fly. They are often very cheap with any expenses but are happy to share in your tying surpluses. Everyone gets an even split.

Tailgate tying tips.

• Point the truck into the wind to function as a wind block.
• Magnet pads on the tying bench hold hooks in place.
• Never tie less than a dozen. Make it worth your time. 
• Use a sealed container to hold finished flies so they don’t get dropped or blown away. 
• Only get out what you need. Tie one pattern at a time.
• Try to find tying materials on site. Feathers, straw, or…
• Keep your beverage on a coaster so you do not get anything wet.
• Music helps pass the time.
• Keep a magnet on wheels or tied to a string in case flies hit the ground. They stick easily to a magnet for a quick, curse less retrieval. 
• Have FUN!

Tie on a great one!

Montana Grant