Behind the Vise Featured Tyer: Mack Bryson of Southeastern Fly Works
- The Fly Box LLC
- Oct 11, 2025
- 6 min read
This interview is part of Behind the Vise in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter by The Fly Box.
Behind the Vise celebrates those keeping American fly tying alive, while Casts That Care shares stories and ideas from the fly fishing world, donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different charity monthly.
Subscribe today and use promo code: "Southeastern15" for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate an additional 25% to our featured charity. Sign Up Here!
In Leesburg, Georgia, fly tying isn’t just an art form for Mack Bryson; it’s a way of life. The founder of Southeastern Fly Works has built a name recognized from Atlanta to Apalachicola, tying patterns that are as effective as they are authentic to the waters of the Southeast. His work is simple, honest, and born from years of tying for the fish that shaped his story.
Early Ties and Lasting Lessons
Mack’s journey began the way many great fly-tying stories do, with a spark of curiosity and good company. “I used to go over to my buddy RJ’s house, and his dad would be prepping for a trip to Montana,” he said. “The first fly I ever saw him tie was a San Juan Worm. I thought that would definitely catch the fish in the pond behind my house.”
Not long after, Mack’s mother began driving him to Roanoke, where he took classes with Blane Chocklett at Blue Ridge Flyfishers. “We started with basic flies, then moved into foam bugs and dragonflies, the kinds of patterns we’d actually use in our local rivers and ponds. It really took off from there.”
Finding Therapy at the Vise
For Mack, fly tying quickly became more than a pastime. After a serious car accident at seventeen, it turned into a form of therapy. “The hook is your canvas, no different than a piece of paper or cloth,” he said.
Mack's Flies
“It’s up to you to create the art. Since that wreck, my vise has been a place I could go and forget about a bad day or just clear my head.” The vise became his outlet, a quiet space where every wrap of thread replaced pain with purpose. That meditative side of tying remains central to his work, transforming a simple act into something restorative.
Building Southeastern Fly Works
Over time, that creative escape grew into a business and a brand that represents both his region and his resilience. “I was encouraged by someone to start selling about ten years ago. The name Southeastern Fly Works represents the passion I have for this area and the water sources we have. I’m within three hours of some of the best fishing in the country, both fresh and saltwater.”
Mack's Flies
Mack’s flies reflect that geography. He ties for shoal bass in local rivers and for redfish, tarpon, and trout across the Southeast coast. “The water changes dramatically from the Gulf to Brunswick and Savannah. You can fish the same fly, but the colors and techniques have to change depending on the day,” he explained. “I tie my flies in natural tones but also in colors that pop in stained waters like those along the Georgia and north Florida coast.”
His patterns have earned their place in shops like The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, On the Fly Outfitters in Brunswick, Old City Fly Shop in St. Augustine, and Forgotten Coast Fly Shop in Apalachicola. Anglers across the region recognize the simple, durable designs that have become the Southeastern Fly Works signature.
The Philosophy Behind the Brand
What sets Southeastern Fly Works apart is more than its location or look — it’s a philosophy. Every pattern Mack ties is rooted in observation. He studies the way baitfish move through the tannin-stained rivers of Georgia, how light reflects off scales in the clear shallows of the Panhandle, and how small color shifts can trigger strikes in brackish marshes. His flies aren’t just tools; they’re regional translations of life underwater.
Each piece he ties embodies the idea that quality shouldn’t be complicated. The materials, proportions, and color palettes are chosen to last. not just to sell. It is clear that Mack values, Durability, and knows that durability and design go hand in hand. A good fly shouldn’t fall apart after a few fish. This mindset, equal parts practical and artistic, is what makes Southeastern Fly Works a name people can trust across the coast.
Materials and Method
When it comes to materials, Mack keeps things efficient and dependable. “EP brushes are in almost every fly I tie,” he said. “They’re durable, easy to work with, and come in so many styles. But the real key is thread. SemperFli’s Nano Silk is the best thread on the market. These flies take a beating, and inferior thread leads to inferior flies. Just use the best from the beginning.”
His focus on functionality carries into every pattern. The colors and materials he uses are handpicked for the water clarity, depth, and behavior of southeastern species. Each pattern serves a purpose, and every fly that leaves his vise has been tested and refined through years of experience on the water.
Mack's Flies
The Spirit of the South
Southeastern Fly Works isn’t just a business. It’s a reflection of southern waters and the people who fish them... resilient, creative, and grounded in community. The brand represents more than just patterns; it stands for a way of approaching fly fishing that values simplicity, craftsmanship, and connection. Mack’s flies are tied for the same waters he grew up on, made to endure heat, humidity, and hard-fighting fish.
Whether it’s a shrimp pattern built for the Apalachicola flats or a popper for Georgia’s river bass, every fly is tied by hand, designed by experience, and backed by the same purpose that started it all: a love for the water. The result is a collection of patterns that look southern, fish southern, and carry that same easy rhythm of life found along the region’s rivers and coastlines.
Teaching and Community
Beyond the bench, Mack is a familiar face at shows like the Fly Fishing Show and the Gulf Coast Classic, where he ties live, teaches, and connects with fellow anglers. “I love interacting with people, showing how to tie the flies, and hearing about the places they fish,” he said.
“One of my favorite redfish flies is also a great bonefish fly, just tied on a smaller, thinner hook.” Teaching, for Mack, is as important as tying itself. “Mr. Bob, Blane, and countless other tiers have been influential in my career. They shared their knowledge with me, and now it’s my turn to do the same.”
He believes the craft thrives when shared face-to-face. “Tying is a contact sport,” he said. “You can learn from YouTube, but you really need to put your hands on the materials. Tying in person lets you interact, learn, and maybe even tie together. I got to tie a Clouser with Bob a couple years ago; that was incredible.”
Looking Ahead
As Southeastern Fly Works continues to grow, Mack is focused on expanding his reach, traveling to more shows, and one day licensing his patterns. He envisions future collaborations with brands that share his values and hopes to inspire more young tiers across the region to pick up a vise. But even as his business evolves, his mission remains simple; Keep tying flies that work and to keep telling the story of the South through every pattern he creates.
Mack Bryson
“I get the opportunity to tie with some of the greatest tiers every year,” he said. “We share ideas, techniques, and stories. That’s what keeps this whole thing alive.” For Mack Bryson and Southeastern Fly Works, it’s not just about the flies. It’s about the people, the water, and the timeless art of tying them together.
Where to Find Mack
You can follow Mack Bryson and explore his work through the following links:
Website: Southeastern Fly Works
Instagram: @southeasternflyworks
Stay up to date with his latest patterns, tying demos, and upcoming show appearances
You can also find Mack’s flies in shops across the Southeast, including The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, On the Fly Outfitters in Brunswick, Old City Fly Shop in St. Augustine, and Forgotten Coast Fly Shop in Apalachicola.
This interview is part of Behind the Vise in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter by The Fly Box.
Behind the Vise celebrates those keeping American fly tying alive, while Casts That Care shares stories and ideas from the fly fishing world, donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different charity monthly.
Subscribe today and use promo code: "Southeastern15" for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate an additional 25% to our featured charity. Sign Up Here!
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