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  • About Barry Ord Clarke

Author: barryoc

Born in England, Barry Ord Clarke is an internationally acclaimed and much published photographer, author and fly tyer. His own flies can be seen in the legendary ‘Fly Fishers Club’ collection, in London and the ‘Catskill master fly tyer collection’ in the United States. For the past 28 years he has lived in Norway where he works as a professional photographer and a fly tying consultant for the Mustad Hook Company and Veniard Ltd. His successful YouTube channel ‘The Feather Bender’ has 43,000 subscribers. Barry Ord Clarke voted US Fly Tyer Magazine’s Fly Tyer of the Year 2021. The prestigious award honours the exceptional international contribution Barry has made to the world of fly tying with his innovative approach of linking his clear step-by-step tying instructions in book-form to his popular YouTube channel ‘The Feather Bender’ videos which then show him tying EXACTLY the same fly online. This ground-breaking ‘pairing’ is a first in the world of fly tying instruction. A renowned photographer in his own right, his tying images are crystal clear, minimalist and stylish. His approachable attitude and innovative tying techniques have encouraged thousands of beginners to take up the hobby in the first place or more experienced tyers to up their game. His most recent two books, The Feather Benders Fly Tying Techniques and Flytying for Beginners, pub. Merlin Unwin Books, are out now and already gaining plaudits from around the world. Fly Tying for Beginners, will also be published in the USA by Skyhorse Publishing in Autumn 2022.
Book ReviewsLeave a comment

John Roberts new book ‘Grayling on the fly’ is now available.

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 barryoc

A great stocking filler for the grayling fishermen! This is a fully updated and revised edition of John Roberts’ earlier book – Flyfishing for Grayling. It includes chapters on the natural food, Dry-Fly Fishing and The Subsurface Fly and a … Continue reading John Roberts new book ‘Grayling on the fly’ is now available.

Fly fishing Streamers, shrimpLeave a comment
Red Francis Atlantic salmon fly tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Red Francis Atlantic salmon fly

November 14, 2022December 8, 2022 barryoc

Without doubt one of my favourite salmon fishing flies. This shrimp pattern Red Francis can be tied on the smallest double and treble hooks and the largest heavy tubes in various colours. A pattern that will work when nothing else … Continue reading Red Francis Atlantic salmon fly

Emerger fliesLeave a comment
CDC Midge pupa fly tied by Barry Ord Clarke

CDC Midge pupa

November 11, 2022November 11, 2022 barryoc

This standard yet effective CDC midge pupa can be tied in various colour combinations and sizes. Red, grey and brown being some of the other favorites. The larger sizes are best fished static on still waters and if you omit … Continue reading CDC Midge pupa

Fly fishing Streamers1 Comment
magnus sea trout pattern

Magnus sea trout pattern

November 9, 2022November 16, 2022 barryoc

A popular Danish pattern designed for salt water sea trout. The Magnus can be tied in various sizes but I believe works best in # 6-8. With only basic materials required, just about any fly tyer can tie this. You … Continue reading Magnus sea trout pattern

Fly fishing StreamersLeave a comment
Ally’s Shrimp salmon fly tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Ally’s Shrimp salmon fly

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 barryoc

One of the modern classics from Alistair Gowans. This long tailed Atlantic salmon fly has established a solid place in the Atlantic salmon fishers fly box. Although orange is the original colour its also popular here in Scandinavia to tie … Continue reading Ally’s Shrimp salmon fly

Nymph fliesLeave a comment
Nonspecific floating nymph tied by Barry Ord Clarke

The Nonspecific floating nymph pattern

November 5, 2022November 5, 2022 barryoc

A simple, yet extremely effective floating nymph, that will work under difficult conditions with selective trout. This little floating nymph just pushes all the right buttons and screams buggy, foodie… Nonspecific floating nymph pattern How to tie Nonspecific floating nymph … Continue reading The Nonspecific floating nymph pattern

Nymph fliesLeave a comment
Klympen flue scud tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Klympen flue

November 4, 2022November 16, 2022 barryoc

A pattern that quickly found it’s way into the fly boxes of Scandinavian sea trout fishermen. Given the name from the famous sea trout fishing beach on the west coast of the Island of Bornholm in the Baltic. A very … Continue reading Klympen flue

Deer Hair techniques, Fly fishing StreamersLeave a comment
Cigar most popular fly pattern for night fishing

The Cigar – most popular sea trout pattern for night fishing

November 2, 2022November 2, 2022 barryoc

A Scandinavian surface pattern for sea trout. This is without doubt the most popular pattern for night fishing. When stripped through the surface it has a very attractive profile against the night sky and causes enough disturbance to wake even … Continue reading The Cigar – most popular sea trout pattern for night fishing

Nymph fliesLeave a comment
Serendipity midge nymph fly

Serendipity midge fly

October 31, 2022October 31, 2022 barryoc

Another very simple but effective pattern this time from the tying bench of Craig Mathews. Said to be one of the most effective nymphs for the Madison. The serendipity can be tied in sizes from a 12-22 in the most … Continue reading Serendipity midge fly

Nymph fliesLeave a comment
Teeny Nymph pattern

Teeny Nymph

October 29, 2022October 29, 2022 barryoc

A great little pattern from Jim Teeny. Only one material and a very simple tie, for this little generic nymph that can be used just about anywhere for anything. Teeny Nymph pattern How to tie the Teeny Nymph Continue reading Teeny Nymph

Dry flies
October Caddis tied by Barry Ord Clarke

October Caddis dry fly

October 6, 2022October 6, 2022 barryoc

Probably the last big fly of the season. The October caddis can make a great end to the season, these huge caddis flies make a big slash and are eagerly taken by trout that are approaching the spawn. This pattern … Continue reading October Caddis dry fly

Wet FliesLeave a comment
The honey pot wet fly tied by Barry Ord Clarke

The honey pot wet fly

August 23, 2022August 23, 2022 barryoc

This easy little wet fly /soft hackle is a great addition to the late season fly box. I also tie this pattern with a 2.8 mm slotted tungsten bead for a heavier variant. I like to fish it just below … Continue reading The honey pot wet fly

Dry fliesLeave a comment
Detached body mayfly dry fly

Detached body mayfly dry fly

August 16, 2022August 16, 2022 barryoc

Another great pattern with a simple tool. If you enjoyed the detached body crane fly you’ll love this mayfly.  Heres the full video on how to prepare the material and weld the body. Followed by the full tying sequence for … Continue reading Detached body mayfly dry fly

Dry flies1 Comment
Cripple stillborn caddis tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Cripple/stillborn caddis

July 27, 2022July 27, 2022 barryoc

This cripple/stillborn caddis is a sure thing during a caddis hatch. The new Mustad Heritage Alpha Point R43AP # 10 is the perfect hook for this pattern with its 3XL shank and extra fine wire. Tie it in any size … Continue reading Cripple/stillborn caddis

Tying TechniquesLeave a comment
QUILL BODIES barry ord clarke

QUILL BODIES fly tying techniques

July 21, 2022July 21, 2022 barryoc

Segmentation in biology is the division of some insect body plans into a series of repetitive segments. We fly tyers have striven over the centuries to create realistic segmented dry fly, wet fly and nymph bodies with all manner of … Continue reading QUILL BODIES fly tying techniques

Fly FairLeave a comment
Sim fly festival 600

25-26 June 2022 I will be tying flies at the Sim fly festival in Italy

June 18, 2022June 18, 2022 barryoc

Saturday 25th June is also ‘World Fly Fishing Day’ where the art of fly fishing and fly tying will be celebrated all around the world. The Sim ( Scuola Italiana di pesca mosca) event takes place at the home of … Continue reading 25-26 June 2022 I will be tying flies at the Sim fly festival in Italy

Fly tying materials and fly tying toolsLeave a comment
Upavon Gunville foam cutters

Foam Cutters Upavon Gunville

June 15, 2022June 15, 2022 barryoc

Another nice tool and how to use it. These easy to use foam cutters make nice cylinders in six different sizes that have many uses for the fly tyer. Boobies, emergers, parachute posts and ants just to name a few. … Continue reading Foam Cutters Upavon Gunville

Dry fliesLeave a comment
Devaux style CDL Mayfly tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Devaux style CDL Mayfly

June 2, 2022June 2, 2022 barryoc

One of the classic patterns. This Devaux style Coq de Leon Mayfly creates a very attractive footprint or silhouette and floats extremely well. I use this style of fly when fishing the larger mayfly hatches for Danica and Vulgate. With … Continue reading Devaux style CDL Mayfly

Dry fliesLeave a comment
Crane fly - Daddy long legs dry fly tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Crane fly – Daddy long legs dry fly

May 12, 2022May 12, 2022 barryoc

This is a great little technique for making very realistic Cranefly / Daddy long legs bodies. For just a few Euro you can get one of these simple extended body tools (link below) and with the material from just one … Continue reading Crane fly – Daddy long legs dry fly

Dry fliesLeave a comment
Giant stonefly dry fly tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Giant stonefly dry fly

May 10, 2022May 11, 2022 barryoc

This wonderful realistic pattern uses the stonefly body tool from MvE products in the Netherlands, and CDC from David Jedlicka in the Czech Republic. Although a very realistic looking fly it’s a very easy tie and will float all day … Continue reading Giant stonefly dry fly

Book ReviewsLeave a comment
in the loop magazine cover

In the Loop Fly Fishing Magazine: Barry Ord Clarke

March 21, 2022March 21, 2022 barryoc

My interview In the Loop Fly Fishing Magazine. Fly Tyer Spotlight: Barry Ord Clarke Barry Ord Clarke is one of the most prolific and innovative fly tyers on the planet. And he has dedicated his life to teaching others the … Continue reading In the Loop Fly Fishing Magazine: Barry Ord Clarke

Dry flies1 Comment
Regan’s Mayfly Spinner dry fly tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Regan’s Mayfly Spinner

March 16, 2022March 16, 2022 barryoc

A very interesting pattern that puts deer hair to good use for both the body and the wing post. Often used on a # 6 XL hook for the great Hex hatch, but tied on smaller sizes it works well … Continue reading Regan’s Mayfly Spinner

Fly FairLeave a comment
barry ord clarke comes to utrecht

Fly tying demonstration in Utrecht

March 10, 2022March 10, 2022 barryoc

Barry Ord Clarke comes to Utrecht on March 26 he will sign his books and give a fly tying demonstration. Date: March 26, 2022Time: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: freeLocation: Traditional Hengelsport – Utrecht – The Netherlands The feather … Continue reading Fly tying demonstration in Utrecht

Fly FairLeave a comment
drammens sportsfiskere

Bindekveld m Barry Ord Clarke

March 2, 2022March 2, 2022 barryoc

The Feather Bender kaller han seg. En 60 år gammel brite som har bosatt seg i Skien. Derfra har han etablert seg som en av våre aller beste fluebindere. Barry Ord Clarke har blant annet gitt ut bøkene «Flytying Techniques» … Continue reading Bindekveld m Barry Ord Clarke

Nymph fliesLeave a comment
March Brown Nymph tied by BArry Ord Clarke

March Brown Nymph fly pattern

March 1, 2022March 7, 2023 barryoc

With it being the first day of Spring today, I thought a little March Brown clinger nymph would be appropriate. This is an easy tie that fishes up side down. If you don’t have the Fiery brown stickle dubbing, any … Continue reading March Brown Nymph fly pattern

Fly tying materials and fly tying tools1 Comment
Golden pheasant fly tying

Golden pheasant feathers

February 26, 2022February 26, 2022 barryoc

The various plumages from the oriental golden pheasant undoubtedly feature more frequently in salmon fly tying than those of any other bird. As well as the famous neck (tippet) and crest (topping) feathers, the golden pheasant provides many other useful … Continue reading Golden pheasant feathers

Dry fliesLeave a comment
CDC Mayfly Dun tied by Barry Ord Clarke

CDC Mayfly Dun dry fly

February 25, 2022March 1, 2022 barryoc

An extremely effective Hi-Viz, Hi floating mayfly dun. This little pattern has a few interesting techniques that help make this a deadly choice on the end of your line during mayfly time.  CDC Mayfly Dun fly pattern Hook: Mustad R30 … Continue reading CDC Mayfly Dun dry fly

Fly tying materials and fly tying toolsLeave a comment
Ringneck pheasant feathers photo by BArry Ord Clarke

Ringneck pheasant feathers for fly tying

February 22, 2022April 7, 2022 barryoc

The most common of the pheasants and most easily obtained. The ringneck pheasant is arguably the most useful single bird to the fly dresser, just about every single feather on the bird can be used.  The small church window feathers … Continue reading Ringneck pheasant feathers for fly tying

Fly Fair1 Comment
winner-fly-BFFI-Daddy-Challenge

BFFI Daddy Challenge winners

February 19, 2022February 18, 2022 barryoc

Dear all, Thank you for supporting WAFT at the show. The Daddy Challenge produced some superb entries. Judging was done by myself and regular boat partner Geoff Stanley who has been watching me develop ‘wafting’ for the last few years. We gave … Continue reading BFFI Daddy Challenge winners

Fly Fair1 Comment
ewf munich

EWF 2022 Experience the world of fly fishing

February 18, 2022February 18, 2022 barryoc

After the successful implementation of the autumn edition of the World of Fly Fishing last October 2021, the organizers are looking forward to the 17th World of Fly Fishing on April 2nd and 3rd, 2022 with confidence. At the moment … Continue reading EWF 2022 Experience the world of fly fishing

Dry fliesLeave a comment
Sasquatch dry fly pattern

Tying the Sasquatch dry fly

February 4, 2022February 15, 2022 barryoc

The Sasquatch was designed by George Leonard Herter in the late 1960’s and was said to be a entirely new type of dry fly! The Sasquatch floats like a cork and catches stream trout like no other fly. Named after … Continue reading Tying the Sasquatch dry fly

Fly FairLeave a comment
British fly fair international 2022

British Fly Fair International 2022

February 2, 2022February 2, 2022 barryoc

The weekend 12th & 13th February 2022 I will be tying at one of Europes best and biggest shows, The British Fly Fair International. The show is held at Staffordshire County Showground ST18 OBD UK.The doors are open 09:30am-16:30 both … Continue reading British Fly Fair International 2022

Fly fishing StreamersLeave a comment
Marabou Jig tied by BArry Ord Clarke

Marabou Jig

January 25, 2022January 25, 2022 barryoc

One of the simplest, yet most effective patterns. Only a couple of simple materials and a couple of minutes at the vice to tie this marabou jig. Although jig hooks in fly fishing have become extremely popular in the last … Continue reading Marabou Jig

Fly tying materials and fly tying toolsLeave a comment
Petitjean fly tyers travel bag review with Barry Ord Clarke

Petitjean fly tyers travel bag review with Barry Ord Clarke

January 21, 2022January 21, 2022 barryoc

A little tour of my tying travel bag that goes just about everywhere with me. Like all Marc Petitjean’s tools and accessories it’s beautifully designed with the traveling fly tyer in mind. Each of the bags are designed to hold … Continue reading Petitjean fly tyers travel bag review with Barry Ord Clarke

Fly FairLeave a comment
Slovenian Open Fly Tying Championship 2022

Slovenian Open Fly Tying Championship 2022

January 19, 2022January 19, 2022 barryoc

The Slovenian Fly Tying Championship is the oldest fly tying contest in Europe.  2022 will be the 35th year. The competition is organised by Ribiška zveza Slovenije (The Fishing Association of Slovenia). The competition is open to everyone and each year they receive entries … Continue reading Slovenian Open Fly Tying Championship 2022

Fly tying materials and fly tying toolsLeave a comment
micro hair stackers by Barry Ord Clarke

Explaining the Micro nesting hair stacker with Barry Ord Clarke

January 14, 2022January 14, 2022 barryoc

This is the latest stacker in the Nesting Stacker series. The Micro stacker has been designed specifically for dry fly tails and wings. It may look like other stackers, but a great deal of thought has gone into the design … Continue reading Explaining the Micro nesting hair stacker with Barry Ord Clarke

Dry flies1 Comment
Clarke’s Floating Stonefly pattern tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Clarke’s Floating Stonefly

January 14, 2022January 26, 2022 barryoc

The 2022 German Fly Tying Championship  In cooperation with EWF I have made a the step by step tying instructions for ‘Clarke’s Floating Stone’ the pattern for the 2022 German Fly Tying Competition. If I find time I will also … Continue reading Clarke’s Floating Stonefly

Dry fliesLeave a comment
Mayfly Stillborn - Cripple tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Mayfly Stillborn – Cripple

January 5, 2022January 5, 2022 barryoc

A very useful general purpose pattern, especially during prolific hatches, that you can easily match to the hatch by changing the colour combination of the moose mane body hairs. Mayfly Stillborn – Cripple pattern Hook: Mustad R30 # 14 Tying … Continue reading Mayfly Stillborn – Cripple

Dry fliesLeave a comment
Detached body fly pattern tied by Barry Ord Clarke

Detached body technique

December 15, 2021October 4, 2022 barryoc

A simple detached body technique with a twist! Using two colours of Para Post and a couple of strands of Nano Crystal flash you can create unique segmented detached bodies with a little flash in them, that work well for … Continue reading Detached body technique

Fly tying materials and fly tying tools, Tying Techniques2 Comments
How to tie Daddy & hopper legs

How to tie Daddy & hopper legs

November 2, 2021November 25, 2021 barryoc

Many of you have seen my earlier video using a latched sitting machine needle, …this is exactly the same technique just using a different more accessible tool. Continue reading How to tie Daddy & hopper legs

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