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Feathers & Fins

Fly fishing and fly tying insights — from bench to water.



Close-up of J-Lo Bug bass flies in Midnight color, designed by Matt Campbell, The Fly Guy.
How to Tie the Midnight J-Lo Bug: A Drop Shot Bass Fly That Works
I started experimenting with drop shot fly fishing for bass seven years ago. My goal was to replicate this highly effective presentation method used by traditional bass anglers. To say the results were groundbreaking is an understatement. On my very...
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Close-up of the Flesh Wound streamer designed by guide Matt Campbell for trout fishing in Southeast Alaska.
The Flesh Wound Streamer: A Proven Alaska Flesh Fly for Trout
When I was younger and guiding in Southeast Alaska, I always made sure my fly box was stocked with plenty of flesh flies. I carried several variations in different sizes and colors, but this specific pattern was the top producer most days. It accoun...
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Close-up of the San Woolly wet fly, a modern multi-species wet fly designed by Matt Campbell.
How to Tie the San Woolly Wet Fly — Step-by-Step & Speed Demo
The San Woolly Wet Fly is a hybrid pattern inspired by the classic Woolly Worm and my Carp Vader Dark Hybrid carp fly. Built for movement, its tail has killer action in the water and consistently produces across multiple species. Simple, versatile, ...
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Classic brown woolly bugger tied by Matt Campbell, The Fly Guy.
How to Tie the Woolly Bugger — A Beginner’s Favorite Fly 🪶
If you’re just getting into fly tying or want to add a true all‑around pattern to your box, the Woolly Bugger deserves a permanent spot in your rotation. This timeless fly isn’t just classic — it’s versatile, effective, and one of the most fun patte...
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Two purple Egg-Sucking Bunny Leech flies for steelhead with a small pile of bunny leeches in the background.
Purple Egg Sucking Bunny Leech = Steelhead Magnet
If you’re after a fly with irresistible movement and a larger, fish‑catching profile, the Purple Egg‑Sucking Bunny Leech deserves a spot in your box. Perfect for trout and steelhead, this pattern delivers color, motion, and serious mojo on the water...
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Budget-friendly fly boxes for trout fly fishing, held by Matt Campbell.
Trout Fly Box Rebuild Episode 4: Budget Trout Fly Boxes That Actually Work!
If you’ve ever stared down a cluttered, messy fly box and wondered, “How can I streamline this without spending a fortune?” — this latest video is for you. In Episode 4 of the Trout Fly Box Rebuild series, we walk through building budget-friendly tr...
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San Woolly Wet Fly and Red UV Midge, two effective trout patterns tied by Matt Campbell.
Trout Fly Box Rebuild Episode 3: The San Woolly Wet Fly & Red UV Midge 🪶
In this episode of my Trout Fly Box Rebuild, I tie two patterns that consistently earn their place in my fly box: the San Woolly Wet Fly and the Red UV Midge. Both are simple, effective, and reliable under a variety of conditions. 🎥 Watch the full v...
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Little Sparrow wet fly and Sunrise Beetle tied and fished for trout.
Trout Fly Box Rebuild Episode 2: Two Simple Patterns That Work
In Episode 2 of the Trout Fly Box Rebuild, we’re diving into two fly patterns that earn a permanent spot in a well-rounded trout box: the Little Sparrow Wet Fly and the Sunrise Beetle. These patterns are chosen not because they’re flashy or complica...
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Close-up of six black Mini Leech streamer flies, hand-tied by Matt Campbell.
Black Mini Leech Fly Tying Tutorial with Speed Demo
The Black Mini Leech is one of those simple yet effective streamer patterns that deserves a permanent place in your fly box. Whether you’re tying for trout, panfish, or bass, this pattern’s slim profile and natural silhouette make it a dependable ch...
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Close-up of three beadhead mini leech trout streamers in brown, olive, and black with text “First Flies!”
Mini Leeches & The Trout Fly Box Rebuild – Episode 1
I’ve just kicked off my new fly-box rebuild series, and I’m excited to share Episode 1 with you. In this installment, I dive into adding some fresh, small-scale patterns — mini leeches — to my trout fly box. The tying process was a lot of fun and of...
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Smallmouth bass caught in an Ohio creek on a Craw Jig fly, close‑up fish in hand.
Master Crayfish Flies in Creeks – Smallmouth Fishing Tips + Tying Recipe
Crayfish are one of the most underrated and effective forage patterns you can fish in creeks, especially when smallmouth bass are present. In many creek systems, crayfish aren’t just an option — they’re a primary food source buried in gravel, under ...
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The Fly Guy, Matt Campbell, holding up a 500g bottle of UV resin from Resinart, a budget-friendly option for saving money in fly tying.
Budget UV Resin First Impressions: Worth the Savings for Fly Tying?
I’ve been spending some time testing a budget-friendly UV resin at the tying bench, and I was genuinely impressed with how well it performs in everyday fly-tying situations — especially considering the price. If you’re tying a lot of flies, material...
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Maryland rainbow trout held just above the water by fly fishing guide Matt Campbell, caught on a Woolly Bugger.
Woolly Bugger Magic: The Creek Bugger Trout Version in Maryland
If there’s one pattern every angler should know, it’s the Woolly Bugger. But more specifically, this video focuses on a variation I rely on often for both still and moving water: the Creek Bugger – Trout Version. Fishing Maryland waters, this patter...
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Fly box suitcase with smallmouth bass flies, featuring a smallmouth bass sticker.
My Go-To Fly Box for Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing
Fly fishing for smallmouth bass isn’t just about the rod, the reel, or the water you’re on — it’s also about what’s in your fly box and how it’s organized. In the video My Go-To Fly Box for Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing, I break down the fly box I rel...
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Close-up of a DIY dubbing loop spinner built from a steel bass casting sinker and a paperclip, for budget fly tying.
DIY Dubbing Loop Spinner: Simple & Affordable!
If you're tying flies on a budget—or just avoiding expensive gear—this DIY dubbing loop spinner might be your new secret weapon. I've relied on this tool for over a decade. It's rugged, reliable, and nearly free to make. Let me walk you through how ...
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