Behind the Vise Featured Tyer: Lydia Wickizer of Flannels & Flies
- The Fly Box LLC
- Oct 17, 2025
- 5 min read
This interview was conducted as part of Behind the Vise and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter by The Fly Box.
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By Kevin Wolfe | Behind the Vise x Casts That Care
Throughout this article are photographs of Lydia’s original flies, showcasing her precision, creativity, and love for color.
In Colorado Springs, Colorado, self proclaimed "Unofficial hype woman for all women in angling, loves flannels, fly fishing, and tying flies'" Lydia Wickizer ties under the name Flannels & Flies, creating flies that blend creativity, curiosity, and reflection. She began tying after falling in love with fly fishing, drawn to the materials and the endless room to learn.
A Craft Rooted in Curiosity
“I like that I can fish with anything I tie, and that there is so much to learn,” Lydia said. “With the countless styles of tying for different regions, I get to learn about flies, materials, fish, and the region itself.”
That curiosity drives her process. Each new fly is a way to explore something beyond her bench, whether it is a new material, a regional tradition, or a story waiting to be told through thread and hook. Her work reminds us that fly tying is not only about creating something that catches fish, but also about learning the places and stories connected to every pattern.
Finding Calm Through Creation
“Tying helps me relax and recharge,” Lydia said. “More often than not, it’s about playing with a material that I’m learning about. Sometimes it’s themed. I have a series of perdigons inspired by Cleveland, where I grew up. I’m working on flies inspired by competitive women’s angling, specifically the fly that was their confidence pattern or the fly that helped them win a competition.”
For her, tying is both artistic and grounding. Each session becomes an act of focus, patience, and creativity, a moment to slow down and let the materials guide her. Her approach shows how fly tying can be both a technical craft and a form of personal reflection.
The Simplicity of Euro Nymphing
Lydia’s focus on Euro nymphing began with a moment that every angler remembers. “I had first cast luck when I tried Euro, and from there it was over,” she said. “I appreciate the underlying simplicity of Euro style flies.”
That simplicity is part of what she loves most about the Perdigon, her favorite pattern to tie. “It was the first pattern I tied when I began doing demos. The endless combinations of colors and materials is wild fun.”
She admits that tungsten beads are her biggest expense, but even that has turned into another avenue of creativity. “Light Pink and Orange are two of my favorites,” she said. “I tend to get my beads from Saluda Beads as they have a great price and a huge variety of beads. There are some really fun beads that are nymph head shaped or disco ball shaped, I just haven’t had a chance to pick any up to play with them.”
Teaching and Tradition
Lydia’s passion for tying extends beyond her own bench. She teaches intermediate classes at Arbor Anglers, focusing on technique and creativity. “I love seeing that spark or ‘ah ha moment,’” she said. “Arbor Anglers focused on teaching from a technique perspective, so it’s a lot of fun to see folks understand how a material works or a tool that will make their tying easier.”
Teaching connects Lydia to the larger story of women in fly tying. “Women are an important part of the history of angling and tying,” she said. “I consider myself lucky to have learned from other women tyers, and I want to carry on that tradition.”
Her advice for women getting started is simple but meaningful. “Invest in yourself. Take classes, invest the time in watching videos, reach out to others with questions. This is a giant community of learners and teachers happy to help each other out. Also, forgive yourself, fly tying takes time to learn.”
Her words reflect the patience and empathy that define both her craft and her outlook. She reminds others that tying is not about perfection but persistence, and that every tier has a place at the vise.
Advocacy and Community
Lydia hopes to help make the fly fishing industry more inclusive. “I really hope to see folks stop worrying about what women are wearing in public or on social media,” she said. “Neither fishing or fly tying are adversely affected if a woman wants to wear a dress or a bathing suit.”
She works to amplify the voices of women in the sport through collaboration and community projects. “Last year I helped to create a Women’s History Month contest with another Instagram page, ‘Women.On.The.Vise.’ We wanted to increase the exposure of women tyers and brands that support us. We’re hoping to do that again this year if we can collect items for giveaways again. Last year we gave away loaded fly boxes, tying materials, a tying bench from Twisted Feather Chests, even a guided trip with Canopy Fly fishing.”
Her approach to advocacy is as thoughtful as her tying. It is about visibility, collaboration, and building networks that allow others to thrive. Through her teaching, partnerships, and projects, Lydia continues to shape a more inclusive space for future tiers.
Looking Forward
Her goals are focused on learning and growth. “My dream path is completing the Bronze, Silver and Gold Fly Tying Certifications with Fly Fishers International and completing their fly tying teacher certification,” she said. “I love the idea of traveling to teach fly tying. I set a goal this year to travel out of state for a show, which will happen as I’m tying at the Virginia Wine and Fly Fishing Festival. My next goal is to travel internationally for a show.”
Lydia’s vision is grounded in both ambition and generosity. She ties for local shops and nonprofits, sells at shows, and donates to causes that align with her values. “I will continue to sell my flies at shows, and have begun selling flies through my Instagram. I don’t see myself setting up a full online store though. There are a lot of great tyers that make their living tying flies, and there are some incredible up and coming tyers that want to tie full time. I donate a lot of what I tie for other non-profits to use in fundraising and would love to tie for guides and outfitters committed to inclusivity in the industry.”
Her story is one of passion meeting purpose. Through Flannels & Flies, Lydia is helping reimagine what the fly tying community looks like, making it more welcoming, creative, and collaborative.
Where to Find Lydia
You can follow Lydia Wickizer and see her work at @flannelsandflies.She also teaches through Arbor Anglers, and collaborates with Canopy Fly fishing and Twisted Feather Fly Tying Chests.
Lydia’s flies can also be found through Canopy Fly fishing guide trips and at local fly shows across Colorado.
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