Fly tying

Welcome to The Feather Bender’s, Fly tying recipes website. Here I share all my knowledge about tying fly fishing flies and the materials used to make them. You will find, not only my own patterns and tying techniques, but also many of the most popular international patterns and how to tie them. 
 
All illustrated in professional step by step photo’s and the best quality fly tying videos. 

If you are a new beginner or a seasoned fly tyer, if you have any questions about, patterns, techniques or materials I will do my best to help.
 
Enjoy, and I hope to here from you…

All the best
Barry Ord Clarke

Fly Tying Videos

Learn to make better fly fishing flies that catch fish

Browse categories to find beginner’s guides, expert tips, fly tying materials, and fly patterns. You can also use the search bar to find specific topics or patterns.

Recent posts on my fly tying blog

My blog features a variety of posts on topics like fly tying techniques, materials, and fly patterns. Browse my latest posts to find helpful tips and tricks for tying effective and beautiful flies. Whether you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to tying your first fly or an advanced tutorial on tying a specific pattern, blog got you covered.

Fly tying for many is a hobby,  for others it´s a means of filling their fly box with fine tuned and well tested patterns, that would be otherwise unavailable. For many of us who read this blog it´s more of a passion, and for some, even a way of life…

My tutorials cover a wide range of fly categories to help you tie the perfect flies for your fishing adventures.

Stonefly Patterns: Learn how to tie best stonefly patterns.

Midge Fly: Discover the intricate techniques needed to create these delicate and effective patterns.

Sea Trout Flies: For those who enjoy the thrill of sea trout fishing, my tutorials will guide you in tying flies specifically designed to entice these elusive beauties.

Saltwater Flies: Explore the world of saltwater fly tying. 

Salmon Flies: My tutorials will show you the way to create beautiful and effective salmon patterns.

Caddis Pupa Flies: How to tie realistic caddis pupa patterns that will consistently bring fish to your line.

Detailed step-by-step video instructions, expert tips, and insider knowledge to help you master the art of fly tying. So, grab your vise, thread, and feathers, and let’s embark on this fly tying journey together. Click on the links above to explore each category in-depth and start creating the perfect flies for your next fishing expedition. Happy tying!

Testimonials

"Barry Clarke is a regular contributor to this magazine. We discovered Barry, who lives in Norway, through his great blog, It’s full of excellent patterns, tying instructions, and much more."
fly tyer magazine logo
FLY TYER MAGAZINE
"Barry has a way of making crazy complicated fly tying techniques look super easy. He is – in my opinion – a perfectionist in all the positive meanings of the word – and just a damn good fly tier."
AHREX HOOKS LOGO
AHREX HOOKS
"On the header of this site it says, ‘The aim of this blog is to connect fly-tyers all over the world, to share techniques, patterns, information and knowledge.’ It’s a great achievement and one of the best. My congratulations to its originator Barry Ord Clarke."
CHRIS SANDFORD
"Barry is to fly tying what a gifted multi-instrumentalist is to jazz: a man able to play the standards, to improvise or rearrange. A true artist and virtuoso at the vice.."
MARC PETITJEAN
"For anyone who follows thefeatherbender. com Barry’s regular blog and flytying videos on YouTube, this book is an essential addition. For those who don’t know Barry’s work, this would be a great introduction to someone who I consider to be amongst the world’s best modern flytyers"
the fly dressers guild logo
FLYDRESSER MAGAZINE
"Barry is the consummate flytyer, possible the best that I have been fortunate to have encountered over my years of tying. His style of fly tying is unique, and he produces what is close to, in my opinion, the perfect fly. Bound to be a true modern classic"
FRESHWATER FISHING

Frequently Asked Questions

Fly tying is the art of creating artificial flies for use in fly fishing. It is a craft that has been practiced for centuries, and is still popular today. Fly tying involves the use of a variety of materials, such as feathers, fur, thread, and wire, to create a realistic imitation of an insect or other aquatic creature. The goal of fly tying is to create a fly that will attract fish and entice them to bite.

Fly tying has many benefits. It can be a great way to relax and unwind, as well as a great way to spend time with friends and family. Additionally, fly tying can help you become a better angler, as you can customize your flies to match the type of fish you are targeting. Finally, fly tying can save you money in the long run, as you can create your own flies instead of purchasing them from a store.

Fly tying can be a challenging hobby, but it is not impossible to learn. With practice and patience, anyone can learn the basics of fly tying. There are many resources available to help you learn the basics, such as fly tying books, fly tying videos, and online tutorials. Additionally, there are many fly tying clubs and organizations that offer classes and workshops to help you learn the craft.

Yes, fly tying can save money in the long run. By tying your own flies, you can save money on purchasing premade flies from a store. Additionally, you can customize your flies to match the type of fish you are targeting, which can increase your chances of success. Finally, tying your own flies can be a fun and rewarding hobby, and can be a great way to spend time with friends and family.

There are many different types of fly patterns used in fly tying. Some of the most popular patterns include dry flies, wet flies, streamers, nymphs, and emergers. Each type of fly pattern is designed to imitate a specific type of insect or aquatic creature, and can be used to target different types of fish.