Online flies

Chadk

Life of the Party
What is a good online source for files? Getting back into fly tying, but have a few patterns I might want in the next few weeks.

Bonus points for "made in the USA πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ "
 
I think Dette Flies are still tied domestically, but I'm not positive.

I bought some flies from these three kids who started their own business:
 
If I buy flies, I get them from Big Y Fly Co. They run their own facility, in Kenya.

Contrary to what many armchair economists believe, "made in the USA" isn't necessarily good for the USA. It is always good for politicians, though.
 
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If I buy flies, I get them from Big Y Fly Co. They run their own facility, in Kenya.

Contrary to what many armchair economists believe, "made in the USA" isn't necessarily good for the USA. It is always good for politicians, though.
Why would something, β€œmade in the USA” not be good for the β€œUSA”? Someone here made it and got paid(taxes taken of course) while the company sold it(and paid taxes to ship it around and sell it) so that a consumer could buy it(and pay for taxes on said product).
 
I spent a year and a half working for the Big Y Fly company.
1. The flies are decent.. not the best on the planet but certainly good enough to catch fish and they are constantly improving their product.
2. They are a local fly shop
3. They treat their employees better than ANY fly fishing business I am aware of.
4. They have incredible customer service. If you order before noon your order will get same day service.

This is a good business run by good people.

Hope this helps.
 
I will admit that I've looked at a few of the jig style flies on discountflies.com with bass/panfish in mind and I might give them an order at some point. Big Y doesn't have a huge jig style collection. Though again, what they do have has caught me plenty of fish.
 
Why would something, β€œmade in the USA” not be good for the β€œUSA”? Someone here made it and got paid(taxes taken of course) while the company sold it(and paid taxes to ship it around and sell it) so that a consumer could buy it(and pay for taxes on said product).

Because the economy is more complicated than that.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Production–possibility_frontier

TLDR:

Broadly speaking, we should trade for everything that we don't have a comparative advantage in or anything that isn't a matter of national security/stability. If you care about the prosperity of the country, that is the optimal thing to do.

This isn't some arcane economic theory; it's basic high school level economics and it's as irrefutable as gravity.

"Buy American" sentiment is mostly about ticking the patriot box and feeling good about oneself. Politicians and failing businesses/industries usually push it the hardest, for reasons that are self-serving and not at all virtuous.

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I bought a big selection of Muddlers from Big Y last summer and was really happy with them.
 
Because the economy is more complicated than that.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Production–possibility_frontier

TLDR:

Broadly speaking, we should trade for everything that we don't have a comparative advantage in or anything that isn't a matter of national security/stability. If you care about the prosperity of the country, that is the optimal thing to do.

This isn't some arcane economic theory; it's basic high school level economics and it's as irrefutable as gravity.

"Buy American" sentiment is mostly about ticking the patriot box and feeling good about oneself. Politicians and failing businesses/industries usually push it the hardest, for reasons that are self-serving and not at all virtuous.

View attachment 8935

I prefer simple but correct. Buying from Big Y supports American Fly Fishermen. :)
 
Simi Seal and related, have a look at John Rohmer's site (azflyfishing.net). Great little company and an even greater guy in charge. John is nice as they come, professional as it gets and certainly one of us - he's on the water plenty himself. I buy regularly from him and have done so for a number of years.
 
I'm lucky enough to have Big Y as my local shop. Their flies aren't bulletproof, but are by far the best value for the money that I've seen. Most of their business is mail/internet order, but their retail shop is well stocked and well run. The people there are great, and I'm told that the Kenyan tying operation is family-owned, fair and sustainable.
 
Simi Seal and related, have a look at John Rohmer's site (azflyfishing.net). Great little company and an even greater guy in charge. John is nice as they come, professional as it gets and certainly one of us - he's on the water plenty himself. I buy regularly from him and have done so for a number of years.
Red belly bead leech…one of my favorites…
 
Not sure where they are made, but I always had luck with Hills Discount Flies.
When I used to trout fish more, I’d buy patterns from them that I was to lazy or didn’t want to tie.
I used to buy gift certificates for my ex FIL who lives in Yakima and he would go there and get flies in person. I believe they are no longer located in Yakima though.
SF
 
Whatever I don’t tie I get from Big Y. Probably should just get everything from them.
 
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