Episode 164 - All About Fly Tying With Matt Bennett

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In this conversation, the hosts and guests discuss various topics related to fly fishing and fly tying. They touch on the cost of fly tying, the challenges of starting a fly tying business, and the process of designing new fly patterns. The guest, Matt Bennett, shares his experience getting into fly fishing and fly tying, as well as his journey in starting his own fly tying business. He also talks about his popular fly patterns, such as the Lunch Money and the Rio Getter. In this part of the conversation, Matt Bennett discusses the limited number of materials available for fly tying and creating new fly patterns. He also talks about the commercialization of fly patterns and the importance of finding a community or mentor when starting in fly tying. Matt shares his top tips for new fly tiers, including investing in quality tools and materials. He also showcases some of his favorite tying tools, such as the Stonfo thread splitter and Dr. Slick scissors. In this part of the conversation, Matt Bennett discusses fly tying tools and accessories. He shares his personal preferences for whip finishers, dubbing brushes, and bobbins. He also discusses the importance of good-quality tools and recommends starting with a basic set. Matt and the hosts discuss the necessity of certain tools and accessories, such as a razor blade holder and a hair packer. They also talk about fly tying vises and Matt shares his favorite vise brands. Matt explains his process of production tying and how he organizes his materials. He also discusses the consistency of natural materials and the importance of sourcing them from reliable suppliers. The conversation concludes with discussing Matt's decision to stop tying commercially and his transition to working in the family forestry business. The conversation concludes with a game where the hosts and guests rank different fly tiers. The rankings are subjective and based on personal preferences. Matt Bennett shares stories about his interactions with some of the fly tiers on the list. He also mentions that he is not currently taking orders for flies but occasionally donates them for a good cause. The episode ends with a farewell and a reminder to follow Matt on Instagram.

Takeaways
-Tying your flies may not necessarily save money, as fly tiers often end up buying a lot of materials and tools.
-Starting a fly tying business requires a lot of dedication and hard work, and the business side of things can be challenging.
-Designing new fly patterns involves experimentation and making modifications to existing patterns to suit specific fishing conditions.
-Popular fly patterns, such as the Lunch Money and the Rio Getter, have gained recognition and success in the fly fishing community.
-There is a finite number of materials available for fly tying, but the combination and design of those materials can create unique fly patterns.
-Creating a new fly pattern involves more than just combining materials; it also requires designing the fly to act right and choosing the right colors.
-Commercializing a fly pattern involves submitting prototypes to fly tying companies and going through a selection process.
-When starting in fly tying, it is important to find a community or mentor who can provide guidance and support.
-Investing in quality tools and materials can save a lot of frustration and lead to better results in fly tying. Having good quality fly tying tools is important for a consistent and enjoyable tying experience.
-Starting with a basic set of tools is recommended for beginners.
-Certain tools and accessories, such as a razor blade holder and a hair packer, may not be necessary for all types of flies.
-Choosing the right fly tying vise depends on personal preference and the types of flies being tied.
-Consistency in natural materials, such as rabbit zonker strips and marabou, can be achieved by sourcing them in bulk from reliable suppliers.
-Matt transitioned from tying commercially to working in the family forestry business.
-Rankings of fly tiers are subjective and based on personal preferences.
-Interacting with and learning from different fly tiers can be a valuable experience.