From Grandpa’s Vise to Healing on the Water: How Caden Halverson Found Purpose Through Fly Tying
- The Fly Box LLC
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing news.
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By The Fly Box | Casts That Care
An Early Introduction to the Craft
For Caden Halverson, fly tying did not start as a business idea or a side hustle. It started in his grandfather’s house, with a television quietly playing FLY TYING: The Angler’s Art in the background and a vise set up nearby.
Caden spent much of his childhood around his grandfather, who was deeply passionate about fly tying. He remembers how the craft felt almost like magic at first, because, he thought it was "fascinating how random materials came together to create a realistic fly that would attract fish." That sense of wonder stuck.
And it was never only about what happened at the vise. Caden described how meaningful it felt to take those flies out and make them work, saying, "I loved being involved with the entire process, from creating a fly from raw material to using it to catch trout." That early loop between creativity and real-world results is what turned tying into something lasting.
Fly Tying as Therapy and Community
As an adult and a veteran, fly tying took on a deeper role.
Caden describes tying as "my quiet time, a time to disconnect and focus on a single task." Over time, it became something he relied on, not just as a hobby, but as a tool. He explained that he makes it a priority because "it helps [him] resolve stress and anxiety" and because it
Caden's Flies
"challenges [his] creativity while slowing my thoughts with each thread wrap."
That personal rhythm became even more meaningful once he connected with Project Healing Waters. Caden shared that he had been using fly tying his "whole life as therapy," but through PHW he found a way to combine that with community, saying he is now "also using it for community and helping other veterans find healing." Fly tying, in that sense, becomes both practice and place.
Falling for Steelhead and the Beauty of the Fly
Caden ties flies for trout, bass, and steelhead, but his current obsession lives firmly in steelhead water.
After getting into two-handed casting, steelhead flies quickly took center stage. Part of the appeal is how wide the door swings open creatively. Caden said he loves that steelhead flies can "match the hatch," but also that "you can cast something totally random and still attract a bite." That mix of tradition and experimentation keeps the tying fresh.
Caden Fishing
After moving to the Pacific Northwest, steelhead tying became even more personal. He remembers walking into a local fly shop with his wife during prime winter steelhead season and seeing a wall of bright patterns. Caden said, "her eyes lit up seeing all the bright pink, purple, and blue flies," and added, "Her reaction is better than any fish I catch." In a sport that can get obsessed with outcomes, that kind of moment is its own form of success.
First Flies and Foundational Patterns
As Caden explained, "I don’t have one specific go-to fly." and that is intentional.
Instead, he likes patterns that force him back to fundamentals, flies that make him focus on "proportions and utilizing multiple materials." He pointed to classics like elk hair caddis, prince nymph, parachute Adams, and woolly buggers, noting that "These flies will show you which techniques you need to work on and where you can improve." That is not just a tying philosophy, it is a mindset.
Caden's Flies
Still, one fly stands above the rest emotionally. Caden shared that his most memorable fly is a woolly worm because it was "the very first fly I ever tied." It is simple, black chenille, grizzly hackle, and a red tail, but he still keeps it close. He said, "This pattern in various colors is a staple in my panfish boxes," a small thread that ties his present back to where it all began.
Preparing a Fly Box With Intention
For Caden, building a fly box before a trip is not a chore. It is a ritual.
He approaches preparation intentionally, researching patterns, studying waters, and imagining how each fly might come into play. Sometimes the process becomes meditative. A flow state takes over as one fly turns into many, and a nearly empty box quietly fills.
That preparation builds confidence and deepens the connection to the trip ahead. Each fly represents time, thought, and anticipation.
Teaching, Access, and Breaking Down Barriers
Teaching is a natural extension of Caden’s relationship with fly tying.
He wants to make tying more accessible and less intimidating, especially for beginners. Caden put it plainly: "My goal with teaching is to ease the intimidation and frustration that come with learning how to tie flies." He acknowledges that learning something new can be hard, and he wants people to have a place where "their frustrations are acknowledged, and where the instructions are clear and easy to understand."
Caden's Flies & Teaching
More than anything, his teaching goal is about belonging. He hopes people walk away believing, in his words, "that there is a space in this community for everyone and that they are capable of tying flies and catching fish." That kind of encouragement does not just build better tiers. It builds a healthier fly fishing culture.
Sharing the Craft in Person and Online
Caden has already begun sharing fly tying with others in person.
He has tied at public events, served as a demonstrator at club nights and the Southern Oregon Fly Tying Expo, and acts as the Program Lead for the Rogue Valley chapter of Project Healing Waters. Teaching veterans how to tie flies remains one of the most rewarding parts of his work.
Looking ahead, he plans to expand his reach through video. Acquiring filming equipment and launching online tutorials will allow him to connect with people who may not have access to local fly shops or expos. The goal is simple. Reach more people and spread the joy of the craft.
Caden's Flies
A More Open Fly Fishing Industry
Caden is thoughtful about the business side of fly fishing, particularly how difficult it can be for beginners to find their footing.
He believes the industry needs to engage more intentionally with new tiers and anglers. Beginner classes, networking events, gear drives, and mentorship all play a role. Knowledge should be shared, not guarded.
Inviting neighbors, friends, and newcomers into tie nights and on the water is one of the simplest ways to grow the community. Passing down knowledge keeps the craft alive.
Looking Ahead
While Caden does not yet sell flies, it is something he hopes to explore in the future. For now, his focus remains on learning, teaching, and building a supportive space for others.
Visibility, connection, and collaboration are the most valuable forms of support at this stage. Partnerships with creators, brands, and programs that share a commitment to education and access could help turn a passion into a sustainable path.
A Reflection
Caden Halverson’s story is a reminder that fly tying is about far more than filling a box.
It is about patience, creativity, healing, and connection. From a grandfather’s vise to community classrooms, tying has shaped how Caden moves through the world. By focusing on access, education, and empathy, he is helping ensure that fly tying remains a craft that welcomes rather than excludes.
In a sport built on tradition, that openness may be its most important thread.
Where to Follow Caden
You can follow Caden’s fly tying and fishing journey on Instagram:
For more on Project Healing Waters, follow:
• @PHWFF
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