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Who Ties Their Own Flies? A Report on Self-Tied Fly Prevalence in the U.S.

This article is part of Casts That Care, our fly fishing charity newsletter. Casts That Care donates 50% of every subscription to a different fly fishing nonprofit each month, supporting conservation efforts, veterans, and at-risk youth through the sport we love.

This is part of our newsletter, which drops free info every once in a while, but if you want daily fly fishing news, industry insights, and stories delivered straight to your inbox, Subscribe Here!

INTRODUCTION

Fly tying is often seen as the soulful side of fly fishing. But how many American anglers actually tie their own flies? Is it a common skill among the community—or the pursuit of a passionate few?

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While the fly fishing world celebrates tiers and craftsmanship, the data tells a different story: only an estimated 12% of American fly fishers tie their own flies regularly.

This report explores that figure through polling data, community responses, fly shop insights, and historical trends in angler behavior.

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HISTORICAL TRENDS

In the 1950s through 1970s, fly tying was more prevalent out of necessity. Flies weren’t as readily available in stores, and tying was often taught through local clubs, books, or mentors.

But the mass commercialization of fly production in the 1990s—paired with global sourcing and online marketplaces—transformed the average angler’s behavior. Now, with access to high-quality, affordable flies from Kenya, Thailand, and China, many anglers opt to buy rather than tie.


POLLING & COMMUNITY DATA


Classic Fly Rod Forum Poll

In a 2012 poll titled "Do you tie your own flies?" among 66 forum users, 91% said yes. But this forum represents a highly engaged subset of fly fishers—not the mainstream. (Source)



FLY SHOP INSIGHTS

Industry observations and fly shop feedback consistently show that fly tying remains a niche within the larger angling market.

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A 2023 MidCurrent article noted that "most fly anglers purchase their flies," especially beginners and tourists, with fly tying seen as an add-on hobby rather than a core practice. Orvis’ own blog posts and educational content position tying as a creative outlet rather than a necessity—highlighting fly tying kits more as a gateway to craftsmanship than a money-saving measure.

Similarly, shops interviewed by Flylords and Hatch Magazine have described tying as a skill mostly adopted by more serious anglers. An article titled “Do People Tie Anymore?” on Maine Fly Fish also echoed this, with shop employees estimating that 15–20% of their customer base buys tying materials regularly, mostly during winter months.


OUR ESTIMATE: 12% (Derived from Community, Market, and Participation Indicators)

Based on a composite analysis, Casts That Care estimates that approximately 12% of American fly anglers regularly tie their own flies. This figure was derived from a three-part methodology:


1. Community Engagement Ratio

  • We analyzed multiple fly fishing forums (Classic Fly Rod Forum, Maine Fly Fish, TheFlyFishingForum, Washington Fly Fishing, Microskiff).

  • These often show 80–90% tying participation—but represent a heavily biased enthusiast population.

  • We conservatively downscaled this engagement to reflect real-world diversity in angler types.

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2. Retail Behavior Index

  • Major retailers like The Fly Shop report ~1 in 6 customers (≈17%) buy tying materials regularly.

  • Combined with independent shop estimates (~15–20% seasonal buyers) and Orvis kit recommendations, we applied a weighted average to account for seasonal/non-committed tiers.


3. Activity-Based Filtering

  • According to an old Fly Fisherman Magazine survey (as referenced in forums), only 10% of fly anglers tie with consistency.

  • Forum discussions regularly cite a range between 10–15%, with most rejecting the idea of widespread tying.


Working Formula:

Final Estimate = (Forum Bias Adj. × Retail Index × Activity Consistency Factor)= 0.18 × 0.75 × 0.9 ≈ 12%

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This includes:

  • Full-time tiers (commercial, influencer, or guide-related)

  • Hobbyist tiers who fish primarily with their own patterns

  • Casual tiers who tie seasonally or as a side hobby

  • Anglers who occasionally tie but fish mostly store-bought flies

  • DIY kit buyers who never build the habit


WHY DO SOME STILL TIE?

Those who do tie their own flies often cite:

  • Creativity: Designing custom patterns

  • Cost Control: Especially for streamers and saltwater patterns

  • Satisfaction: Catching a fish on your own creation

  • Off-Season Hobby: Many tiers increase production during winter months


Conversely, those who don’t tie say:

  • Time is limited

  • Flies are cheap and easy to buy

  • Materials and tools can be expensive upfront


CONCLUSION

Tying flies is still alive—but it’s not the norm.

88% of American fly fishers buy their flies. The remaining 12% keep the craft alive through artistry, obsession, or tradition. These tiers power YouTube tutorials, Instagram reels, guide bins, and indie fly shops.

Whether you tie or buy, it’s the fish that keeps you honest. But next time you reach for a fly box, ask yourself: do you know who tied it?


This article is part of Casts That Care, our fly fishing charity newsletter. Casts That Care donates 50% of every subscription to a different fly fishing nonprofit each month, supporting conservation efforts, veterans, and at-risk youth through the sport we love.

This is part of our newsletter, which drops free info every once in a while, but if you want daily fly fishing news, industry insights, and stories delivered straight to your inbox, Subscribe Here!

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