Branch History | The Fly Dressers' Guild

ALL ARE WELCOME

The Fly Dressers’ Guild – Wessex brings experts and beginners together to advance the art and craft of fly tying. It is always an evening of fellowship and camaraderie when we gather every Tuesday. We also learn new patterns and tie flies to improve our skills and techniques. Using feathers, fur and other materials, hooks are transformed into artificial flies that replicate fishes’ prey. And at least once a month our branch holds fly fishing events and competitions at local fisheries. Connecting with the

Fly Dressers’ Guild – Wessex is your first step to joining us on this remarkable journey.

Members smiling for a photo opportunity during a fly tying evening

At a fly tying evening with members smiling for a photo opportunity

Our story

History of the Fly Dressers’ Guild in Hampshire

The Fly Dressers’ Guild is over a half-century old and today, it counts a membership of over 1200 around the world. In 1967, the Fly Dressers Guild was but a distant aspiration—a twinkle in the eye—of the founding Members of Wessex Branch. This spurred a group of Hampshire Fly Dressers led by Don Haynes to meet on a regular basis at the Anglers Inn, at Bishopstoke in Hampshire. With over 50 years of continuous heritage, the Wessex Branch remains at the heart of the Guild that has grown out of our humble beginnings.

WHAT’S BUZZING

Our events throughout the year

At our regular Tuesday meetings, we generally tie two, sometimes three, patterns chosen by the Instructor member leading that evening’s tying. These make good ‘taster’ evenings for those starting out in fly tying, as all materials are provided. All you need to have are your own tools and threads—if you don’t have these, let us know and we can always make some available for you to borrow for the evening.

If you’re a newcomer, we help you find your way through the basics and will soon have you joining in the normal evening, tying real flies to catch fish with. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, come along and join us as we share our experience (or lack of it!) with each other.

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