Highlights of the Carolina Outdoors

Highlights of the Carolina Outdoors


Fly-Tying Fun with Elijah Saint Blancard

January 05, 2024

Segment 3, January 6th, 2023


It’s fly-fishing season, folks! In the fly-fishing world, the sport is divided into 3 skill categories: casting, fishing, and fly-tying. Jesse Brown’s Outdoors’ very own head fly-fishing instructor and guide Elijah Saint Blancard joins the Carolina Outdoors show to talk all about that third pillar, fly-tying.


Elijah delves into the environment out on the NC waters this season. Less crowded rivers and lower water levels sure have made for interesting and enjoyable trips.


Fly-tying is a true art form that allows us to exercise our creative sides! Tying flies can be compared to that of a chef baking in the kitchen. With different recipes for different flies, materials like beads, eyes, foam, thread, rubber legs, flash, and tinsel are all crucial materials to best imitating nature. Tiers utilize both natural fibers and synthetic material to get the desired effect.


Charlotte outdoor store, Jesse Brown’s, is not only home to an abundance of fly-tying material, but also home to expert advice and instruction! Check out jessebrowns.com to visit our blog page that discusses deeper topics on all things fly fishing.


With a brand-new fly-tying club, the Charlotte Vise, in the works, Jesse Brown’s is offering instructional clinics lead by Elijah himself! The goal is to provide instructional introductory information by teaching easy, fishable patters while keeping things simple and fun. The next available clinic is January 31st, 2023, from 6pm-8pm. They are filling up fast so visit Jesse Brown’s website, send an email, or make a phone call to reserve your spot.


Bill Bartee from the Charlotte outdoor store, Jesse Brown’s & host of the Carolina Outdoors had a chance to speak with Elijah Saint Blancard about this fly-fishing season and delve into the “addictive” world of the art of fly tying!


Things You’ll Learn by Listening:


Show Highlights:


  • Casting, fishing, and fly tying make up the sport of fly-fishing
  • Fly tying uses a variety of tools, materials, and hooks to imitate nature
  • Vise, scissors, bodkin, bobbin, whip finisher are required tools
  • Similar to cooking in the kitchen, fly tiers follow recipes for imitating certain species
  • The difference in using natural fibers vs. synthetic materials
  • Next available Jesse Brown’s fly tying clinic is January 31st, 2023 6pm-8pm
  • Details about flies such as the Wooly Bugger and Pats Rubber Leg