What was your first fly you ever tied?

**Rick Baerg** · February 8th, 2009, 10:48 PM

After going through some of my old flies for the "Pay it Forward" thread tonight, I came across the first fly that I tied back in 1983/1984, some kinda Salmon fly!! So, I thought a thread on everyones first fly would be cool.

Lets here some stories and see some pictures!!

I was introduced to fly tying many years ago while living in Terrace. I was 12/13 when my uncle from Salmon Arm, Jim Willis, came up for his yearly trip to fish work channel for Hallie's and the beautiful Skeena river for steelhead. When he arrived he had a suit case full of feathers, hooks, you name it, it was all there, everything needed to tie flies and it was for me! As you could imagine It was like Christmas morning with a new toy that needed to be be put together. After a few lessons I was on my way to tying my very own fishing flies. Now 25 years later I am still tying flies, still learning and still loving it as much as I did when I was a kid! This is the greatest sport in the world and I feel so lucky that we have the freedoms we do and to be able to go out when we want, to fish is a privilege!!

**phearless** · February 8th, 2009, 10:52 PM

Sounds like someones uncle likes him.
I will post my story tomorrow.
A pic if I can find the fly when get home for the weekend.
I am pretty sure I know where it is.

**btree** · February 8th, 2009, 11:33 PM

For sure it was a Tom Thumb with fall deer hair from a September buck that same year. Dried the hair/pelt/skin (what ever you call it) in the shed with rock salt. I still have that beautiful chunk of deer to this day, old dried out and dead ticks and all.

Pretty sure this one posted is not that exact fly, but it's damn close.

I had a friend who could tie a Tom Thumb and a few other patterns without a vise! Now that's handy streamside tying!

Attached are some other well aged flies that have been retired to a place of honour.

Good topic!

**Kristopher** · February 8th, 2009, 11:52 PM

#6 Wooly bugger. Black marabou tail, black chenille body, and purple saddle hackle. Hard to believe that was almost 15 yerars ago..

**RustyBomber** · February 9th, 2009, 12:19 AM

I remember joining the Hammond River Angling Association's fly tying class one night back in NB. I was 14 yrs old at the time. The fly picked for that night was a traditional feather winged Blue Charm. After watching George's demo I sat down with a fellow member and he patiently mentored me through. It was tough going but I managed to pull it off(sort of) with lots of coaching. Without those classes I can't imagine where i would be in my tying level. Dunc's Fly Shop was just down the street from my house and he was quite helpful to a struggling young flyfisher. All in all a great bunch of guys who I am very greatful to.

**whereswaldo** · February 9th, 2009, 07:57 AM

I would say around '90( I was 6 then). Would have been a dragon nymph made of moss from the back yard glued onto a hook.

First real fly, Was '95 I think, Was some sort of woven pattern, possibly a dragon, that I was taught at the outdoor show at the tradex by a guy from Hubs or Freds. Can't remember the shop.

**newsteelyman** · February 9th, 2009, 08:26 AM

Well I don't have any pics cause i was only about 14 or so (22 years ago) but it is a kinda funny story: hook #8 (i think) snelled bait hook with leader removed, thread: mom's black sewing thread, body: orange fur from my cat"nermal" dubbed around body. I tied up a few, good think cause I snapped the first one off with my crappy casting. The first fish I caught on it was a very plump squaw fish, I mean northern pike minnow, of about 3 pounds out of the crooked river north of PG. That is the fly and fish that got me hooked on this very addicting sport.
Brian

**Jinfoot** · February 9th, 2009, 10:11 AM

I believe this one was mine, got back from BCspeys house with a bag full of stuff and a old sunrise Vise i think it was Sept/Oct last year, who knows what the hell this fly is!

**chauchey** · February 9th, 2009, 11:14 AM

A very poor, off color version of a Ricks Caddis. :/

**geoffvl** · February 9th, 2009, 01:21 PM

Mine was supposed to be a wooly worm. I had one of those beginner tying kits and the first fly I was supposed to tie was the wooly worm. Just chenille and saddle hackle. But they must have forgot to put the hackle in the kit so I assumed I was supposed to use the pheasant tail as the hackle. It turned out awful but my wife told me to keep it for laughs.

Here it is.