It is
difficult for kids these days to find fun activities that
challenge their imagination and creativity. The constant
drone of video games reverberating through the walls of
the typical American household bears witness to this epidemic
problem. But for some, there may be a solution: Fly Tying.
Tying
feathers and fur to hooks to catch fish most likely predates
the invention of the wheel, but if it were considered an
art form, we are no doubt in the Renaissance. Amazing new
synthetic materials created specifically for tying flies
have made it so the tier is limited only by his or her imagination.
No longer just tied to imitate creatures found along a trout
stream, flies now include baitfish, shrimp, crabs, frogs,
squid, eels, mice, jellyfish, hummingbirds, and anything
else a fish living in either fresh or saltwater might consider
food. Flies have even been tied to look like flats boats,
helicopters, and even famous personalities!
Contrary
to popular belief, you don't have to know how to fly fish
or own a fly rod to enjoy fishing your creations. All flies
can be cast with conventional tackle by adding either a
split shot, casting bubble, or popping cork, and many fly
patterns can easily be tied on jig hooks.
Introducing
a child of any age to this wonderful hobby is as easy as
going to your local fly shop. Here you can usually sign
up for a class, get the equipment you will need, and even
get books and magazines devoted to fly tying. Another great
source of information is a local fly fishing club.
Some
basic equipment to get started include a vise, bobbin, scissors,
thread, head cement, hooks, hackle feathers, buck tail,
and flash material. The vise is by far the most important
component and spending a little extra money here is a wise
idea. A good starter vise should cost around $35 to $65,
but when you consider the cost of a video game player and
the individual games themselves, this is a small price to
pay for a hobby that may not only last a lifetime but be
handed down to your grandchildren as well.
The
most important thing to consider when introducing a child
to fly tying is that when the flies are tied, they will
want to go outside to fish them. No more droning computer
noise, animated violence, and alien worlds with questionable
moral content, but rather sunshine, nature, and the simple
magic of trying to catch a fish. Just like when you were
a kid!
Visit
my Fly Tying Page
for more articles and instructions
for tying some of my more popular flies.
