UNI PRODUCTS FLY TIERS CORNER
Getting An Early Start
February 2023
Dr. William Boyd, Jr. of Dayton, Tennessee definitely does not qualify as “Johnny-come-lately” to the world of fly fishing and tying. He has been involved in the sport for more six decades. You also may have encountered him and his patterns online under his nom-de-plume, Nick of “The Dubbing Teasers.”
Dr. Boyd literally grew up casting and tying. “I started fly fishing and fly tying at the age of 8,” he explained. By 10 years old he was sitting attending his father’s fly-tying club meetings. That was in Red Lion, Pennsylvania where he grew up.
His hometown and family situation put Boyd in a great place for cultivating his love of fly fishing. His mentor at this stage was his father, Dr. William Boyd, Sr. and he has as his hero the legendary Dave Whitlock. Additionally, he was surrounded by the storied waters of Yellow Breeches, Furnace Run and Falling Spring Creeks. Add in he close proximity of Cowens Gap Pickerel Point Lakes, as well as the Pocono Mountains and the younger Boyd had great options for fly fishing.
Over the years of honing his tying skills, Boyd has most often concentrated on tying patterns such as the Jassid, Hydropsyche Caddis Larvae, Realistic Thin-Legged Wolf Spider, Tennessee Stonefly Nymph and Two-Toned Stonefly Nymph. The latter two of those are patterns he developed that were featured in articles in Fly Tyer Magazine.
In tying those flies, Boyd gets his ingredients in more than one way. “I use mostly commercial materials,” he said, “both natural and synthetic. I gather some dove and duck feathers.”
To see more of Dr. William Boyd, Jr.’s work, go to The Dubbing Teasers to check out the instructional videos featuring Nick at work.
In closing, the good doctor offered this advice to newcomers to the art of tying. “Don’t go cheap purchasing your vise,” he offered, then, “Start by choosing a fly that you wish to tie and purchase materials to tie just that fly.
After making your first attempt, the doctor suggested, “Take your first fly tied and cut it apart to the bare hook, then re-tie.” Seems practice makes perfect!
