Best Fly Tying Materials of 2026
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Fly tying materials are essential for creating your own custom flies for fly fishing. These materials include feathers, fur, synthetic materials, and hooks. Feathers are used for creating wings, tails, and hackles on the flies. Fur is typically used for creating bodies and heads. Synthetic materials such as yarn, chenille, and foam are also popular for creating bodies and adding bulk to the flies. Hooks come in various sizes and shapes and are used as the base for the fly. All of these materials can be combined in countless ways to create unique and effective flies for catching fish.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Fly Tying Materials
YUAAO 1242 Pieces 3D 4D Fishing Lure Eyes
YUAAO 1242 Pieces 3D 4D Fishing Lure Eyes are designed with six different sizes and styles to fulfill your various needs. The eyes are made of durable and lightweight epoxy resin that can adapt to any condition. They have a domed 3D and 4D design with bright and vivid colors that are attractive to fish. The fishing eyes are easy to operate with strong rubber backs that can be easily applied to the surface with a self-adhesive backing to stick on most surfaces or recommend to add glue to stick to uneven surfaces. The package contains 1098 pieces of 3D simulation fishing eyes and 144 pieces of 4D simulation fishing eyes that are enough for you to use and share with your friends who love fishing activities.
Riverruns UV Clear Glue for Fly Tying
Riverruns UV Clear Glue is an eco-friendly, high-tech glue that cures in seconds under UV light, becomes crystal clear and glass smooth. Unlike traditional epoxy, it never turns yellow and is super durable. The package includes three formulas: thick, thin, and super flowed, which are suitable for making different parts of the flies, from heads to wings. The glue is tack-free and can be cured instantly with light or sunlight. The product also comes with a 12 LED power light that lasts 6-8 hours and operates on 3 AAA batteries.
FunooFuno 24 Colors Crystal Flash Tinsel Line
The FunooFuno Crystal Flash Tinsel offers 24 vibrant colors, making it easy for you to organize and carry your fly tying materials wherever you go. Each spool contains 12 meters of shimmering line, providing a convenient length that’s perfect for crafting detailed lures. Made from strong velvet fibers, this line can handle tough fishing conditions with a breaking strength of 100 pounds, giving you confidence during every cast. Designed for precision, it helps you create intricate and attractive flies that boost your chances of catching fish, turning your fly tying into a creative and effective experience.
XFISHMAN Fly Tying Thread Kit
The XFISHMAN Fly Tying Thread Kit includes 6/0 size threads with custom high-strength fiber, ensuring that the thread won't break while you're tying complicated flies. The set comes with six commonly used colors and can satisfy 90% of your fly tying needs. This set is particularly suitable for those who are starting out with mostly trout flies in sizes 4-20.
Fly Tying Material Starter Kit with Feathers and Dubbing
This Fly Tying Material Starter Kit offers a great assortment of bulk feathers and dubbing materials in multi-color. It includes 10 bags of bulk synthetic rabbit hair, ice dubbing, and other popular tying materials. As a Fly Tying Material, it is a perfect choice for those who love to create fly fishing flies. With this starter kit, you can create your own unique and effective flies, enhancing your fishing experience.
Temorah Copper Wire Fly Tying Materials 10 Colors 0.3mm
The Temorah Copper Wire Set offers about 10.5 yards of 0.3mm diameter wire per spool, giving you plenty of material to work with for your fly tying projects. The thin wire is perfect for creating detailed nymph bodies, helping you shape your flies precisely. With ten vibrant colors including gold, red, black, and silver, you can add attractive and realistic touches to your flies. This copper wire also adds weight to your hooks, which helps them sink faster in the water, making your flies more effective when fishing. Its softness and versatility make it easy to use for ribbing or securing lines.
Ansnbo 16-Color Silicone Legs Fly Tying Skirts
The Ansnbo Silicone Legs Skirts offer 16 colorful bundles of soft silicone strands, ready to use right from the package, saving you time sorting materials. These flexible legs mimic the natural movement of real insects, making your fishing lures more attractive and lifelike. You can use them on various fly patterns like nymphs, poppers, and jigs, or even fix old spinnerbaits, giving you versatility in your tying projects. The strands are designed to stay separate, so they cut cleanly and tie easily, which helps you work faster and more efficiently at your vise.
LURELINK Chenille Fly Tying 16-Color Kit
The LURELINK Chenille Kit offers 16 bright colors that help you create a variety of fishing flies and jigs, making it easier to match different fishing spots and fish types. The chenille material is soft and strong, so you can handle it easily whether you're new or experienced in fly tying. It works well for making detailed fly patterns like wooly buggers and streamers, adding body and flash that attract fish. This kit is a great starter set or an addition to your collection, conveniently packed for easy storage and travel.
PHECDA PROFLY Crystal Flash Line
The PHECDA PROFLY Crystal Flash is an excellent choice for fly tying enthusiasts. With 10 vibrant colors to choose from, each pack contains 200-230 strands that are about 30cm long. These strands are made from environmentally friendly PET material, featuring a natural pearl finish that adds a touch of elegance. The twisted design creates a spiraled strand that enhances optical refraction, making your flies more eye-catching in the water. Whether you’re targeting freshwater or saltwater fish, this crystal flash can help attract attention and improve your catch rate.
GREATFISHING Fly Tying UV Clear Glue and Power Light Combo
The GREATFISHING Fly Tying UV Clear Glue and Power Light Combo includes thin, thick, and soft UV glue, along with a 12 LED power light. The glue is easy to use and provides strength, bonding ability, and flexibility to fresh and saltwater flies and components. It is crystal clear, durable, and never turns yellow. The thin glue flows easily and penetrates well, while the soft glue maintains original flexibility while increasing strength. This combo is perfect for solidifying ties, gluing eyes, backing fly line knots, and making epoxy shrimp or bait fish heads.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What materials are used in fly tying?
Fly tying materials include marabou, hackle, capes, saddles, quills (feathers), deer hair, calf tail/squirrel tail, body hair (such as finn raccoon, arctic fox, woodchuck, coyote), and rabbit fur.
2. What is the best tail material for fly tying?
Bucktail is considered one of the best tail materials for fly tying. It is a stiff hair that maintains its shape while still providing movement in the water. Bucktail is versatile, durable, and available in various colors, making it an excellent choice for tailing flies.
3. What size thread to use for fly tying?
Common fly tying thread sizes include 70 Denier, 140 Denier, and 210 Denier. These are roughly equivalent to 8/0, 6/0, and 3/0 thread, respectively. However, it's important to note that thread sizes can vary, so it's best to check the specific denier measurement for the thread you're using.
4. Can you use any thread for fly tying?
The most commonly used thread types for fly tying are nylon, polyester, and Kevlar. These threads are affordable, thin, and strong, making them ideal for fly tying. Silk or gel spun polyethylene (GSP) threads are also available, but they may be less common.
5. What wax for fly tying?
Finger Wax or Soft Wax is a type of wax that is soft and not overly sticky. It is commonly used to apply directly onto the thread using the fingers. This wax is especially useful for creating external bodies on flies that need to be waterproof.
6. Is tying flies cheaper than buying them?
Tying flies can be cost-effective when compared to buying them. While fly tying does require an initial investment in tools and materials, it can save money in the long run. For example, if a store-bought fly costs $2.50, tying your own fly after purchasing hooks and materials can be more affordable, especially when tying larger quantities.
7. Is there money in fly tying?
Yes, it is possible to make money from fly tying if approached correctly. Many custom fly tiers spend hours creating unique flies for sale. While it may not be a guaranteed source of income, it can be a rewarding endeavor for those passionate about fly tying.
8. What is the strongest fly tying thread?
Ultra Thread 210 Denier is considered the strongest and most versatile thread for tying saltwater and warmwater flies. It is multi-stranded, providing excellent texture and strength for its size. This thread is commonly used for tying larger hooks, such as size #8 and above, and is suitable for various fly tying applications.
9. What part of deer hair is best for fly tying?
The mask, which refers to the hair on a deer's face, is commonly used for fly tying. The hair on the mask comes in a range of natural colors and textures. It is particularly useful for tying smaller flies, such as size 8 and smaller, and is often used for creating wings on caddisfly imitations.
10. Can I use sewing thread for tying flies?
Sewing thread can be used for tying flies, as it is made from various materials. Some sewing threads, like cotton, absorb water well, which can help sink the fly without adding additional weight. Sewing thread is also cheaper than dedicated fly tying thread, making it a budget-friendly option for beginners or those looking to experiment.
11. Can you use regular sewing thread to tie flies?
Regular sewing thread can be used for tying flies, and it can actually help improve your fly tying skills. Sewing thread is thicker and bulkier compared to dedicated fly tying thread, which forces you to be more conscious of each wrap you make. Its rough texture and inability to lay flat can help you develop more precise tying techniques.
During our fly tying material research, we found 24 fly tying material products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 24,026 customer reviews through our big data system to write the fly tying materials list. We found that most customers choose fly tying materials with an average price of $12.53.
The fly tying materials are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of fly tying materials, including Gejoy, Riverruns, FunooFuno, XFISHMAN, Muskoka Lifestyle Products. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 649 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
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