Tying flies is an amazing mix of art, science, and skill. If you tie your own flies or are looking for a vise for someone that does, it’s important to find a good quality vise that will last and provide functional benefits.
When shopping for the best fly tying vises it’s important to get the biggest bang for your buck.
There are very nice tying vises available that won’t break your bank, but higher-end tying vises do provide a lot of helpful benefits. Which vise will work the best for your needs is going to depend on how you primarily intend to use it.
Luckily we provide all those details so you can find exactly what you need. We also aimed at giving you products made in the USA.
We are big fans of great fishing gear that will last, and serious fly anglers need a reliable tying vise that they can enjoy season after season. Most of these can be used as your trusty travel vise as well, whenever you are on your freshwater and saltwater fishing trips.
In Hurry? We’ve Got You Covered, This Is Our Pick For Best Fly Tying Vise
Orvis Renzetti Traveler 2000 Vise
Why is it better?
- Jaw capacity is 28 to 4/0
- Pedestal
- Trusted brand
Our Top Picks For Fly Tying Vise
With that in mind, let’s now take a closer look at our top picks.
Let’s dive into the specifics and review each fly tying vise individually. You can use the list below to jump and review specific models, or you can read along and go through all the information.
- Orvis Renzetti Traveler 2000 Vise
- Griffin Montana Mongoose Vise
- Rotary Fly Tying Vise
- Danica Danvise
- Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise
Best Overall: Orvis Renzetti Traveler 2000 Vise
Renzetti is a brand you can trust, and they’ve been producing tying vises since 1988. The Traveler 2000 throws its hat in the ring for best vise thanks to a few excellent features.
To start, it boasts a positive rotary option and a sturdy pedestal base – there’s also the option for a C-clamp if you’d prefer.
It’s so easy to use – the pedestal has thumbscrews that you can adjust seamlessly as you please.
Not only that, but this tying vise is built for hooks sizes 28 to 4/0, so it caters to a lot of different fly fishers.
You can also easily and quickly adjust the bobbin cradle by using another thumbscrew, and there are two more screws on the rotary arm that lets you increase or decrease tension on the material you’re using.
One of the best things about this is that you never have to worry about damaging the material when you use it.
It’s designed to help you get the results you want without creating any issues. It’s made out of really quality materials as well, so you get a sense of durability with it.
All in all, you’ve got something that will provide an excellent tying experience for anyone. You don’t need to be an expert to use this product, which is why it’s a great vise for beginners.
Griffin Montana Mongoose Vise
- 360 true rotation
- Size 4/0 to 28
- C-Clamp & Pedestal Included
The Griffin Montana Mongoose Vise features a refined design that makes it more efficient than ever before – part of the reason why it’s become a bestseller in the ranks of Regal (and even surpassed it, in our opinion). You can purchase this with a pedestal, or with a C-clamp to attach to your own fly tying desk.
Either way, you end up with a very secure base that makes fly tying that little bit easier.
You get 360 degrees of true rotation with this product, and it’s clearly been designed for practicality and comfort.
Everything about it makes your life more straightforward. There’s a rotation lock screw that combines with a new fine tension screw to give you 100% control against any resistance when you’re tying.
You can also take advantage of an adjustable cam lever and extension handle. The cam lever can be set in two different positions to help you get more clearance as you’re tying.
With the extension handle, you can make the rotating handle longer, which provides more clearance and better rotation control.
The Montana Mongoose Vise is also well-equipped to handle hooks from 4/0 to 28, thanks to exceptionally robust steel jaws.
Not only is this an excellent high-quality fly tyer, but it just might be the best fly tying kit out there too.
You get plenty of additional things with the vise for free; C-clamp, bobbin cradle, hackle gauge, carry case, and more. As if that all wasn’t enough, it boasts a lifetime warranty too.
Rotary Fly Tying Vise
- Peak Rotary Fly Tying Vise - Fly Tying
If you’re new to fly fishing, then this might just be the best tying vise for you. There are two separate models; one with a pedestal and one with a C-clamp.
So, you can choose which one suits your set-up, and there’s no price difference between the two. For beginners, the benefit of only having a pedestal or C-clamp is that you only have to worry about working the device in one specific way.
This model has been created to help you make adjustments with ease. It comes with a rotation resistance adjustment screw that lets you make endless little adjustments to get the right rotation for the task at hand.
Perhaps an underrated feature of the Peak Rotary is that it is perfect for both left and right-handed people. You also get a bobbin cradle and pivot mount included with the kit, both of which can be height adjusted for ease of use.
The rotary function is also very impressive. It’s beautiful and smooth, so you won’t struggle to use it. Again, this makes the product really handy for beginners or anyone that’s perhaps not overly confident with fly tying.
While all these features are great, the best thing about this product is the build quality. It is noticeable how well built this tying vise is, largely thanks to the materials used. There’s a combination of stainless steel, brass tool steel, and aircraft aluminum here.
These materials have been carefully selected as they add to the durability and ensure your vise lasts for decades – and this is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Danica Danvise
- True Rotary, Smooth Operation C-Clamp Vise
- Holds Hooks sizes 22 to 7/0
- Cam Vise Jaws are strong and easy to operate and adjust.
This lightweight vise packs a lot of strength into a relatively small package. It’s also one of the more affordable options out there, but you wouldn’t guess this from the quality. You receive true rotary action with supreme tension adjustment.
There are two handy knobs on the rear of this vise that make it so easy for you to adjust the tension and gain more control when tying.
It’s a C-clamped vise, so make sure you have a stable worktop to clamp it to. When you do this, you get a very rigid product that doesn’t budge as you use it.
If you’re new to fly tying, then you’ll love the simple rotation handle that lets you smoothly rotate the material as you work. It feels good in your hand, and you quickly get into the natural rhythm of things as you go along.
For such a lightweight product, the build quality is quite staggering. It features very strong haws that tightly grip your hooks and can be adjusted seamlessly.
When it comes to hook sizes, it can handle anything from 22 to 7/0. Part of the reason the jaws are so impressive is the 5 to 1 cam lever. Thanks to this, the Danvise jaw has almost twice the hook holding power of other, more expensive, options.
With all things considered, this is an excellent option for newbies as well as people looking for a lightweight and portable option. Plus, it has a more attractive price point than some of the other options on the market today.
Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise
- Lifetime Guarantee and 100% made in the USA
- Jaw capacity is 28 to 4/0
- The Odyssey Fly Tying vise is a true 360 degree rotating vise that...
Lastly, we have this magnificent vise with a fantastic 360-degree rotating action. You can’t underestimate the benefits of having 360-degree rotation as it makes the entire fly tying process far less stressful.
By taking advantage of this, you just have to spin the fly around to tie everything up.
The Griffin Odyssey Spider is another vise that comes with both C-clamp and pedestal options. Again, this is beneficial as you have more choice when choosing how to use it.
The quality of materials used in construction is also very impressive.
It feels secure, and you get a sense that it would take a lot to damage this product. The jaws come with a unique design as well, which enables them to hold hooks in sizes 28 to 4/0.
You get a bobbin cradle as part of this fly tying kit, and the beauty of this is that you can use it to make subtle adjustments by placing it on the vise stem.
There is no specific place it needs to be put; you can literally set it anywhere for accurate adjustments.
It is worth noting that this vise is marketed as an entry-level product.
So, if you’re more of a fly tying pro, then this might not be the best one for you. But, it is specially made for beginners, so keep that in mind.
As such, it’s very well priced – and the manufacturers state that it’s built for a lifetime as well.
Fly Tying Vise FAQ
Before you put on your waders and jump to wading the water in search of the fish, you’ll have to tackle fly tying. This guide will help you do just that.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO START FLY TYING?
Fly tiers use several different fly tying materials when going about their business. The first thing you’ll need, though, is a fly tying vise, and if you don’t know what to go for, a rotary C-clamp is always a good choice. But, you could also go back and reconsider some of the products we mentioned.
You will also need bobbins; look for those with a brass thumb rest. You will need two pairs of scissors. Get a pair with an arrow point to allow you to perform close-in trimming, along with the larger supreme scissors to make larger cuts.
You’ll also need bodkins and threaders. Get a couple of each, which you can pick up from your local craft store.
You will also need to have a pair of hackle pliers. Hackle guards are also very handy. They will hold the hackles out of the way while you are finishing tying the fly head.
You will also need a bodkin, which is a sharp, pointed instrument that is used to pick out fur bodies and apply head cement.
A good pair of tweezers will also be a very handy investment. A Hair Evener will help you to effectively align the tips of bundles of hair.
A whip finisher will help you to effectively tie off the thread after completing a fly.
HOW TO USE THE FLY TYING VISE?
To begin using a tying vise, adjust it so that the height of the vise allows you to work naturally in a seated position.
Use the adjustment screw to set this position. Next, adjust the holding jaws so that they are sitting slightly higher than the desktop clamp.
Use the swivel to do this. To open the jaws, adjust the rotary shaft, place the hook in the jaws and then close the jaws to secure the hook in place.
HOW DO YOU THREAD A FLY TYING BOBBIN?
Threading a fly tying bobbin can be both challenging and frustrating, so here’s the most effective way to do it.
Put a clean, unfrayed, and straight thread tag into the bottom of the holder tube. Now slowly and carefully work it through a small portion at a time.
This will be tricky if the bobbin has an especially small hole. If you have a stiffer, waxed thread it will go through more easily.
It can help to moisten the thread to enable it to get through more easily.
Be sure that there is no wax or dirt inside the tube. You can use a thin pipe cleaner to clean out the insides of the tube.
When dealing with your nymph, it pays to simply tie it around with a single thread on two points along the body.
WHAT DOES CDC STAND FOR IN FLY TYING?
When it comes to fly fishing, CDC stands for ‘Cul De Cunard.’ This is a type of feather that is very fluffy and that also has some unique features.
They also come in nearly every color you can imagine. The feathers are taken from ducks, close to the preen gland.
These feathers are very popular because of two key qualities – water resistance and buoyancy. They also have the ability to trap air.
Top Fly Tying Vise Features To Consider
CUSTOMIZATION
Being able to make customized fly fishing flies will provide you with a real advantage whether you are casting to rising trout or blitzing striped bass.
Rather than being at the mercy of retailers, you can make flies that look however you want and in any size or color you might need.
HOOK SIZES
This is a big point that needs to be made.
The ability to tie with a wide range of hook sizes adds tremendously to the versatility of a tying vise.
The ability to tie everything from tiny midge imitations up to giant saltwater streamers is a big plus and can save you from buying a second tying vise for those big streamers down the road.
TOUGH JAWS
This is another feature that usually correlates with the price of the tying vise.
Cheap tying vices are often built with sub-par jaws that will bend over time and become ineffective, causing the hook to slip loose.
This is the biggest reason that you won’t see cheap vises in our recommendations.
They are a complete waste of your money, even for beginners, because they have extremely short life-spans.
PEDESTAL VS. CLAMP
Pedestal bases make for a more travel-friendly setup, so you can tie your flies on almost any flat surface.
Whether you want to whip up a few flies on the camp picnic table or even on a flat rock, pedestal bases make it easy.
Clamp-on bases are super sturdy and offer a rock-solid anchor when you need to really put tension on your tying wraps.
Big saltwater flies can really take some tight wraps with heavy thread and a clamp can be really helpful with big flies.
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