This fall at Anglers All, we’ve been seeing lots of new faces among the fly tying materials. If you’re just getting into fly tying, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to begin. Which materials do you really need? Which patterns are worth learning first?
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a few tried-and-true resources and a confidence pattern that every new tyer should try.
Start With a Proven Pattern: The Black Beauty
When it comes to beginner-friendly flies that flat-out catch fish, few patterns rival Pat Dorsey’s Black Beauty. This midge imitation is simple to tie, doesn’t require a huge materials list, and best of all, it catches trout just about everywhere.
Check out this excellent step-by-step video with Greg Garcia:
Materials List:
HOOK: Tiemco 101 Hook | Sizes 18-24
THREAD: UTC Ultra Thread | Black 70D
WIRE: Ultra Wire | Small Copper
DUBBING: Wapsi Super Fine Dubbing | Black
FINISH: Wapsi Head Cement
Want to take it one step further? Add a small glass bead, and you’ve got the Mercury Black Beauty, a deadly variation that adds just the right amount of flash. If you would rather buy your Black Beauty - find them HERE!
Learn the Materials
As you start tying, you’ll quickly discover that materials make a huge difference in the process and final product. We’ve put together some handy Fly Tying 101 guides to help you get familiar with the essentials:
These resources are designed to make your first steps easier—whether you’re learning to manage thread tension, select the right hackle, or pick the best bead size for your hooks.
Practice Makes Perfect
Don’t worry if your first attempts at any pattern aren’t shop-quality. Every tyer starts in the same place. The key is repetition. To help you along the way, we’ve compiled some of our favorite beginner patterns and videos:
Top Fly Tying Videos & Patterns for Practicing the Fundamentals
Remember, fish don’t care if your fly looks perfect. The more you tie and fish your own flies, the better you’ll get, and the more rewarding it becomes.
Ready to get started?
Look out for our Intro to fly tying class schedule, or swing by one of our fly shop locations in Littleton or Denver this fall. We love helping new tyers pick out the right tools and materials. Whether you’re learning to tie your first midge pattern, or getting ready to stock up all of your fly boxes this winter, our knowledgeable crew is here to help.
