Joel Hill is here today to dig into some steelhead fly tying patterns. Joel shares some tips for marrying wings, how to get your proportions just right, and some of his favorite flies that work great for sea-run and steelhead fishing. We pick some random flies on his Instagram and talk about how he tied them. He has a unique way of using tubes to tie his favorites. There are a few resources that Joel mentions like books and Facebook groups that can help you get better at fly-tying. Another Instagram fly tying phenom!
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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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Fly Tying Patterns Show Notes with Joel Hill
05:41 – Jason Miller was on the podcast at WFS 235
06:30 – Check out Joel and Jason’s fly tying video here
08:31 – One of Joel’s favorite flies to tie is the Moonlight Dee
10:07 – Dec Hogan’s Skagit Mist Variation
10:19 – Dec Hogan was on the podcast at WFS 020
13:31 – The Snow Queen Variation – Joel breaks down the materials
17:25 – Muddler Size 8
18:37 – Joel uses Firehole hook for his muddlers
19:15 – If Joel is going for summer steelhead, his go-to fly is the Purple Muddler
19:29 – The Herl wing GP idea
20:23 – Benn’s Black Prince
26:15 – Black King Spey
27:56 – They don’t make McNeese hooks anymore
29:29 – One of Joel’s favorite hooks is the TMC 700 – another one like this is the Firehole 839

39:20 – John Shewey was on the podcast at WFS 296
40:01 – Joel’s fiberglass drift boat
44:23 – There’s a group on Facebook called The Spey Tyer and people there are very helpful – click here to join that group – also the group The Dee Tyer
45:50 – Joel mentions some of his influences in fly tying
47:29 – Joel recommends watching Davie McPhail YouTube videos
49:29 – Joel is getting into photography
51:53 – Joel uses a Kona bike
53:01 – John Wells dyes feathers
55:46 – Puget Sound Fly Co in Tacoma WA is where Joel gets most of his materials
You can find Joel on Instagram @joel_hill_
Joel is an ambassador for Chinook Wind Outfitters
Fly Tying Patterns Resources Noted in the Show
John Shewey’s Spey Flies and Dee Flies
Bob Veverka’s Spey Flies & How to Tie Them
Videos Noted in the Show
Related Podcast Episodes
WFS 235 – 12 Spey Fly Tying Tips with Jason Miller – Dee Flies, FreeStyle Tyer
WFS 296 – John Shewey on 9 Favorite Flies for Trout – American Fly Fishing
Read the Full Podcast Transcript Below
Fly Tying Patterns Conclusion with Joel Hill
Joel and I dug into some steelhead fly tying patterns and he shared some tips for marrying wings, how to get your proportions just right, and some of his favorite flies that work great for sea-run and steelhead fishing. We picked some random flies on his Instagram and talked about how he tied them. It’s amazing how Joel puts together colors for his patterns.. truly an artist.