I don’t consider myself a fly tyer. But I tie flies.

I tie flies because it is economical. I tie flies because I don’t fish dozens of patterns, and I’ve learned to tie what I like to use. I tie flies because it is fun. It is a challenge, but it is fun.

If I’m honest, I tie flies mainly because it is a highlight of angling fellowship.

Fly tying get-togethers are the fly fishing version of the knitting circle. There is usually more flannel, craft beer, and feathers, but otherwise the two gatherings are virtually identical. The object  matters, but the subjects matter just as much. The flies are what people are looking at, but they are all looking at them together.

Whether you are an expert or a novice fly tyer, group tying events are worth your time. Here are 5 reasons why you should seek one out in your area:

Get Better
YouTube videos, books, and seminars are great. But there is nothing that holds a candle to one-on-one instruction or observation. While many informal fly tying events aren’t necessarily about structured teaching, that kind of thing naturally happens as people sit next to each other. If you are trying to get off the ground or trying to take things to the next level, having a real person’s brain to pick is invaluable.

Get Ideas
You tie one way. Everyone else ties the way they tie. Inevitably, the thing you do is done a little more efficiently by someone else. The only dubbing technique you’ve ever used might work most of the time, but the way she does it might have some great applications. The striper fly material you use is good. But what he has is more supple. Learning isn’t always about vertical growth. Sometimes expanding your knowledge base is just as important.

Get Intel
Again, the fly tying is the object of these events. But you’re going to meet people who fish where you fish. Maybe they fish where you don’t fish. These are the people who you want to converse with. Sharing spots, access, and even boats or gas money will happen once you plug in. Of course it should be reciprocal. And you’ll probably find that the relationships have as much value as the new fish you end up hooking.

Get Involved
For most fly fishers, tying is the tip of the iceberg. The same can be said of tying gatherings. Whether it be a group of friends or a Trout Unlimited chapter, there is probably a lot more happening. Conservation projects, fishing trips, and becoming better acquainted with the fly fishing community are the next-step activities that you’ll be able to tie into once you start meeting people.

Give Back
What do you have? How can you share it with others? Even if you don’t consider yourself a fly tyer – if you just tie flies, you have something to offer. Just like there is always someone who you can learn from, there is always someone who you can teach. What’s more, there might be something else you have to offer: a tip on a great restaurant, a sympathetic ear, or a drift boat with an empty seat.

---

Starting with a social media search see if there is a fly tying meetup in your area. Call your local shop, email your TU chapter, or, if all else fails, start your own fly tying night!

Want to hear more about fly tying events? Here is a podcast episode on the subject.