Fly fishing is an amazing sport that requires expertise in many areas. As an angler you need an artificial fly to lure and catch a fish. Many anglers prefer to buy readymade flies; however, these days a large group of people prefer to make their own flies through fly tying.
A variety of fly-tying vise are available in the market for different purposes. Let’s take a look at the best fly-fishing vise available online:
Quick Overview – Best Fly Tying Vise
- Best All Around Fly Tying Vise: Rotary Fly-Tying Vise
- Best Value: Colorado Anglers Z797 Wooden Fly-Tying Standard Tool Kit
- Best for Beginners: Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise
Quick Comparison – Best Fly Tying Vises
Buying Guide
Did you know that fly tying has been popular for more than a century and was done by the hand? With the advancement in technology we now have different types of vise available in the market but you should know how to choose the best one according to your needs.
Here are some of the features that you should consider before investing in a fly-tying vise.
Type of Base
There are two types of vises based on the type of base, namely C-Clamp and Pedestal base. Pedestal bases can be conveniently carried and used at your fishing destination. A pedestal base makes it easy to tie your flies on any flat surface. So, if you are planning to make a fly on a flat rock or a picnic table then this base makes the job easier.
On the other hand, C-clamp bases are very strong and offer great support when you are putting a lot of tension on your tying wraps. The C-clamp is good for big flies where you need to make some tight wraps with a heavy thread.
Durability
Durability is a crucial factor because there are many cheap vises available online that will crack or bend after using them a couple of times. So, look out for something that is made with fine quality materials such as steel and brass.
There are vises that come with a lifetime guarantee so that you do not have to buy another one anytime soon. Good quality vises not only save money but also make your fly-tying experience more convenient.
Movability
To get more leverage opt for vises that have 360 degrees horizontal rotation. The low-priced options available online have a fixed head that does not rotate, while some may have a head that rotates sideward.
360-degree rotation is offered by the more expensive options but are more convenient to use.
Versatility
There are many cheap vises that can hold hooks of only one or two sizes and this makes their scope very limited. So, go for a fly-fishing vise that can easily hold hooks of different shapes and sizes.
The Best Fly Tying Vise Reviews – Our Top Picks
The Best All Around Fly Tying Vise
Rotary Fly-Tying Vise
Pros
- Made up of high-quality aircraft aluminum, stainless steel, and brass
- Convenient to adjust
- Available in two sizes
Cons
- Instead of using a metal screw to tighten the rotary arm they have a plastic screw which is not that great
If you are looking for a vise with optimal tying efficiency then PEAK Rotary Vise is a good choice. This vise is easy to adjust and the set-up materials include aircraft aluminum, stainless steel, and brass. These materials are chosen because of they are durable and will last for a lifetime. The tool steel jaws are hardened and tempered and hold hooks of different sizes.
This vise ensures that you don’t have to put a lot of effort in adjusting it as it comes with a rotation resistance adjustment screw. The screw provides easy adjustment and is convenient to use for both right-handed and left-handed tyers. The bobbin cradle can also be easily adjusted for height and length.
Moreover, you can remove the vise for travel just by loosening a single set of screws. The brass tip on the set screw ensures that the vise shaft is not marred. Though the Rotary Fly-Tying Vise is slightly expensive as compared to many other products out there, but you don’t have to keep investing in other fly-tying vise and it’s also good from an environmental point of view. Also, it is the best overall fly-tying vise both in terms of quality and durability.
Features and Specs
- 360 degrees horizontal rotation axis
- The steel jaws hold a versatile range of hook from size 2 to 24
The Best Value Fly Tying Vise
Colorado Anglers Z797 Wooden Fly-Tying Standard Tool Kit
Pros
- Can be easily carried anywhere
- It’s not just a vise but a fly-tying tool kit
- Outstanding Price / Value
Cons
- The quality of the threader is not the best
Colorado Anglers Z797 Wooden Fly-Tying Standard Tool Kit, as the name suggests, is not only a vise but is the perfect fishing kit for all your fishing adventures. It has a vise, a built-in base, and eight tools made of good quality material. The tools include a bobbin, a bodkin, a threader, a dubbing twister, pliers, and a whip finisher. All these tools come in a wooden case that is comfortable to carry.
The kit is lightweight and compact and comprises all the tools you need for fly tying. So, if you are planning to go for an outdoor adventure you can carry the kit with you. The built-in base ensures the vise remains sturdy, so you can use it anywhere without needing something to clip the vise to. Finally, its outstanding price / value makes it THE choice, if you are looking for a cheap fly tying vise!
Features and Specs
- Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 2 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
The Best Fly Tying Vise for Beginners
Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise
Pros
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Partly made from fine quality material
- Good for amateur anglers
Cons
- Some components are made from plastic and are not that great
If you are new to fly tying and are searching for a true rotating vise then The Griffin Odyssey Fly Tying Vise is the right choice for you. The Spider Fly tying vise comes with an advanced technology that makes it good for both entry level as well as advanced fly tiers. Moreover, it provides a good performance and is very durable.
Unlike low quality products manufactured overseas, Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise is manufactured in the USA and has a good jaw capacity. It has a true 360-degree rotating vise that is accompanied with a bobbin cradle and a c-clamp. And the best part is that it comes with a lifetime guarantee. So, if you are looking for something durable then Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise provides a good value for money.
Also, if you are looking for the best gift for your friend who loves fly-fishing then this vise would be the perfect option.
Features and Specs
- Product Dimensions: 13 x 1 x 1 inches; 15.2 ounces
- Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
- Jaw capacity is 28 to 4/0
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How difficult is it to use a fly-tying vise?
As a beginner, it may seem a bit difficult to get the hang of a vise. But once you start using it frequently you understand how the different components work and this makes the job easy.
What else do I need for fly tying?
Along with a vise you need a bobbin, scissors, bodkins, threaders, plier, and a whip finisher. Don’t forget to get a fly box as well, otherwise your carefully crafted flies might not even see action before breaking!
How do I use a fly-tying vise?
The first step is to adjust the vise to a convenient height so that you can work on it while sitting. This can be done with the help of an adjustment screw. The next step is to adjust the jaws in a position that is a little higher as compared to the desktop clamp. Now open the jaws with the help of a rotary shaft and put the hook in place by conveniently closing the jaws.
For fly tying tutorials including videos, check out flydreamers.
Happy Fly Tying!
An increasing number of anglers are preferring to use vises for tying the flies over the traditional method of tying with hand, which is more time consuming. There are great tutorials to be found on Fly Fishing YouTube channels.
As the market is flooded with different types of vises, we suggest you go through all information in the guide before investing in a vise that works the best for you. Finally, make sure to check out these great books on fly tying for more information!
