Fly-tying tools come in a wide range of designs and prices. Each tool is necessary for the complete job of tying flies. One fly pattern may not require a certain tool while a different pattern will require a different tool.

Selecting the Basic Tools

Vises range $20 to $400 versions that turn and spin.The bobbin holds the spool of thread to keep tension on it. There is a bobbin for thread and another with a wider spout for floss. A bobbin threader is necessary to run the thread or floss up the spout. Scissors need to have fine blades with sharp tips. Hackle pliers come in a basic clamp style. The bodkin is a fine-pointed needle on a handle that has many uses. Hair stackers are mandatory for flies requiring hair wing and hair bodies. A tube of dubbing wax is needed for dubbing fur bodies.

Using Tools

The purpose of the vise is to hold the bend of the hook so the materials can be tied onto the hook. Depending on whether you are right- or left-handed, set up the vise with the jaws pointed in the direction of your strong hand. The easiest bobbin to work with are the inverted Y-shaped style that holds the two ends of the thread spool by tension rather than a screw. Put the spool of thread between the handles of the bobbin and pull out enough thread to load through the spout. Use the bobbin threader to pull the thread up through the spout. A floss bobbin serves the same purpose except it has a wider spout to accommodate the floss. The standard hackle pliers is a clamp style that holds the hackle tip between its jaws. The hackle is spun around the hook while holding the base of the pliers. You'll need a good-quality scissor that keeps its sharpness. The blades need to be narrow and sharp, with thin, pointed tips. A bodkin is a handy tool for picking out fur fly bodies, straightening hackle and unsticking the fibers of hair wings. It also doubles as a dauber for applying head cement to the fly head. Dubbing wax is an often-overlooked necessity. Run the wax up and down the thread to make it sticky, then spin the dubbing material on it. A hair stacker consists of a hollow tube fit inside a larger hollow tube. Put the two tubes together and drop the hair into the tube with the hair tips down. Hold the two stacker pieces together and tap the bottom of the stacker on the table several times. This will even up the tips.

Source:

Western Trout Fly Tying Manual, Jack dennis, 1974