What is meant by a "hand tied fly"?

Obviously there are other means of tying a fly which frankly I would like to know.

Help!

As I use those words in my signature I feel I need to reply to it Ron.

I consider it that they are tied by the individual themselves rather than bulk from abroad.They is far more time taken to tie it and last considerably longer using best materials available and done with a lot more pride and not just a case of churning them out like a factory.

this is the only defination I can offer as no machines do it as far as I know yet,but pride equals hand tied.

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Kevin

Perhaps you should say personally and individually tied

home tied would be a better description. some people do tie in their hands without a vice though.... but its a pain in the **** to do!!!

If you started without a vise, only a pair of scissors, then you have no idea how much time is wasted faffing about with tools such as a vise.

Admittedly I wouldn't like to attempt some technical flies without the extra hand!

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Avoid any spey casting instructor who can't spey cast 35 yards of sinking fly line with a 15ft rod.

I did start tying without a vice. Time wasted? faffing about with fumbling fingers maybe. for me a vice and tools are far simpler.

Very true jonnied
suppose hand tied in kenya or china would be better than indviduals who tie them selves just putting hand tied.Bit of trading standards kite mark for those purchasing flies.

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Kevin

Watched a couple of local (truly expert!!) tiers do this a couple of years back using #22 hooks! Amazing to watch.

Ron, there is a traditional scottish method of hand tying built wing salmon flies without tools or a vice etc, Hardy employed hand tyers as well as trout fly tyers that used vices, hand tyers were men, trout fly tyers were mostly women.

i believe there is an ex hardy salmon hand tyer still kicking around.

I think if you asked Fulling Mill Flies or Donegal Flies or Highland Flies if their flies are tied without pride you just might get a flea in your ear. Their overseas fly tyers will undoubtedly tie with more passion and pride than most as it is literally a matter of survival to them that their output is of a high enough standard to ensure repeat orders.

Hand tied means just that. All flies are tied by hand and it's therefore a superfluous nonsense to use the "hand tied" phrase in describing them. A bit like "He has a great future ahead of him". Everbody's future is profoundly ahead of them.