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Feathers & Fins

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



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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Aerial photo of a fly angler wading in shallow, crystal clear water while fly casting orange fly line.
The Call Of The Water
🎯 Feeling the call of the water? Take your fly fishing and tying skills further with personalized lessons — from technique to materials, I’ll guide you every step of the way. 👉 Learn with me here 📅 Every fly tells a story. Don’t miss the next ...
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Close-up of Loon Outdoors Ergo Hackle Pliers with yellow base and “5+ Years of Tying!” text.
Are Loon Ergo Hackle Pliers Worth It? After 5 Years of Use
If you’ve ever wondered whether specialty fly-tying tools are actually worth your hard-earned cash, this long-term look at the Loon Ergo Hackle Pliers should help. I’ve been using these pliers regularly for over five years, and in this video I break...
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Close-up of finished fly patterns with glossy, colorful heads tied by Matt Campbell using L.A. Colors nail polish.
Budget Fly-Tying Hack: Nail Polish as Head Cement
Run out of head cement at the vise? Or looking for a low-cost, easy substitute that still holds your thread wraps and gives a clean finish? One of the simplest, most reliable hacks in fly tying is to use regular nail polish as head cement. This tric...
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Close up of a DIY fly-tying dubbing brush tool shown next to supplies, a completed brush, and a woolly bugger.
DIY Dubbing Tool That Won’t Break the Bank
Looking for a quick, dependable dubbing tool that won’t dent your wallet? This DIY dubbing brush hack fits the bill. It’s easy, inexpensive, and can be made again and again whenever it wears out—perfect for any fly tier’s bench. Why This DIY Tool Wo...
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Close-up of a Firetiger bass zonker fly with a mono-fishing line DIY foul guard rigged, for rabbit strip fly patterns.
Foul-Proof Your Rabbit Strip Fly Patterns
Fouling is the bane of rabbit-strip fly patterns—one cast, and that beautiful rabbit strip gets wrapped around the hook bend. Want to keep your fly fishing trouble-free and efficient when fishing these bunny flies? Here’s a simple DIY foul guard tri...
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Clear sewing thread (Coats brand) presented as a cost-effective thread option for streamer fly tying.
The Streamer Thread Alternative You Need!
If you tie streamers and larger flies on a budget, or just like reliable alternatives, you may want to give this one a try. I stumbled on a surprisingly effective thread that won’t stretch your wallet, yet delivers the strength and durability you ne...
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