Question 1

Are your flies hand-tied?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every single fly we sell is hand-tied by experienced tiers. We don't use machines, and we don't cut corners. Each fly is inspected for quality before it goes in the box. Hand-tying gives us tighter wraps, better proportions, and flies that hold up on the water instead of falling apart after a few fish.

Question 2

What species can I catch with your flies?

Accepted Answer

Our flies are designed primarily for trout (rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat), but plenty of customers use them on panfish, smallmouth bass, and even carp. The patterns in our collections are proven producers on rivers and streams across the U.S. If you're targeting a specific species, reach out and we'll point you to the right flies.

Question 3

What types of flies do you carry?

Accepted Answer

We carry dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Dry flies float on the surface and imitate adult insects. Nymphs drift below the surface and mimic insect larvae, which is what trout eat about 80% of the time. Streamers imitate baitfish and leeches, and they're your best bet for hooking bigger fish.

Question 4

What's in the Guide's Stash 48-piece collection?

Accepted Answer

The Guide's Stash is a curated set of 48 hand-tied flies that includes a mix of dry flies, nymphs, and streamers, plus a fly box to hold them all. These are the patterns our guides actually carry on the water. It's built to cover hatches and conditions across all four seasons, so you're not guessing at the fly shop. The Guide's Stash is priced at $67.

Question 5

What's the difference between the Guide's Stash and Just the Flies?

Accepted Answer

Both collections include the same 48 hand-tied flies. The difference is the box. The Guide's Stash ($67) comes with a durable fly box to keep everything organized. Just the Flies ($49) ships the same 48 patterns without the box, which is a great option if you already have a fly box you like or you're adding to an existing collection.

Question 6

How do I pick the right flies for my local water?

Accepted Answer

Start with the basics: a mix of nymphs, dry flies, and a few streamers covers most situations. If you're fishing a specific river, check local hatch charts or ask your nearest fly shop what's been working. Our Guide's Stash collection is designed to work on trout water across the country, so it's a solid starting point if you're not sure what to buy.

Question 7

Do your dry flies actually float?

Accepted Answer

They do, right out of the box. Our dry flies are tied with quality hackle and materials that ride high on the surface. That said, all dry flies eventually get waterlogged after catching a few fish. We recommend carrying a small container of fly floatant and an amadou patch to dry them off between fish. A quick re-treat and they're good as new.

Question 8

How long do your flies last?

Accepted Answer

That depends on how many fish you catch and the type of fly. A well-tied nymph can last 20 or 30 fish before the thread starts to show wear. Dry flies tend to take more abuse from teeth, so you might get 10 to 15 fish per fly. Streamers are the toughest and can last a full season of regular use. We tie ours to hold up, not to fall apart.

Question 9

What's included in a Brookbow fly tying kit?

Accepted Answer

Each kit includes all the materials you need to tie a specific pattern: hooks, thread, and all the body and wing materials for that fly. The Woolly Bugger Kit ($16.99) has enough materials to tie around a dozen flies. The Tailwater Nymph Kit ($19.97) covers a set of proven nymph patterns. Kits do not include tools (vise, scissors, bobbin), which are sold separately.

Question 10

Do I need my own tools to use the kits?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you'll need a fly tying vise, a bobbin, and a pair of scissors at minimum. A whip finisher and hackle pliers are also helpful but not strictly required when you're starting out. If you don't have tools yet, a basic beginner vise kit (available at most fly shops) runs about $30 to $50 and includes everything you need.

Question 11

Are your fly tying kits good for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The Woolly Bugger Kit is one of the best first flies you can tie. It's forgiving, doesn't require advanced techniques, and the finished fly actually catches fish. Our kits come with clear instructions so you know exactly what goes where. If you've never sat behind a vise before, the Woolly Bugger Kit at $16.99 is the place to start.

Question 12

How long does it take to tie a fly from your kit?

Accepted Answer

For a complete beginner, expect your first Woolly Bugger to take about 20 to 30 minutes. By the time you're on your third or fourth fly, you'll probably be down to 10 to 15 minutes. Experienced tiers can knock one out in under 5 minutes. The more nymph patterns in the Tailwater Kit may take a bit longer since they have more steps.

Question 13

Can I catch fish on the flies I tie from your kits?

Accepted Answer

That's the whole point. Every pattern in our kits is a proven fish catcher, not a display piece. The Woolly Bugger is one of the most effective fly patterns ever created, and the nymphs in our Tailwater Kit are go-to patterns for trout guides across the country. Your first few ties might look a little rough, but fish don't care about cosmetics.

Question 14

Will you be adding more fly tying kits?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we're working on new kits for additional patterns. We focus on flies that are both beginner-friendly to tie and effective on the water. If there's a specific pattern you'd like to see as a kit, send us a message. We take customer suggestions seriously and they help shape what we release next.

Question 15

Who teaches your casting classes?

Accepted Answer

Our casting classes are taught by Dayle Mazzarella, a certified Master Casting Instructor. Dayle has spent years teaching anglers of all skill levels how to cast more accurately and with less effort. A Master Instructor certification is the highest level of casting credential available, so you're learning from someone who really knows the mechanics inside and out.

Question 16

Are your casting classes online or in-person?

Accepted Answer

Our casting course with Dayle Mazzarella is available online, so you can learn from anywhere. The online format lets you pause, rewind, and practice at your own pace, which is actually a big advantage over a single in-person session. You can revisit the lessons as many times as you want and work on your casting over weeks or months.

Question 17

What will I learn in the casting class?

Accepted Answer

The course covers the fundamentals of fly casting, including the basic overhead cast, roll cast, and how to build proper timing and loop control. Dayle also breaks down the most common casting mistakes and shows you exactly how to fix them. You don't need to be standing on a river to practice; most of the drills work just fine in your backyard.

Question 18

Do I need to be an experienced angler to take the casting class?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. The course is designed to help beginners build a solid foundation and to help intermediate casters fix bad habits. If you've been casting for years but feel like something is off, this is for you too. Dayle starts with the basics and builds from there, so no prior experience is necessary. A fly rod and some open space is all you need to follow along.

Question 19

Is the casting class worth it if I've been fly fishing for a while?

Accepted Answer

Honestly, yes. Most self-taught casters pick up at least a couple of habits that cost them distance, accuracy, or both. Dayle's instruction is built around diagnosing and fixing those issues. Even experienced anglers typically find one or two adjustments that make a real difference on the water. Better casting means more accurate presentations and more fish.

Question 20

How much does shipping cost?

Accepted Answer

Shipping is free on all orders over $55. For orders under $55, we charge a flat rate of $4.99 regardless of what you order. We keep it simple so you know exactly what to expect at checkout. No surprise fees, no weight calculations, just one flat rate or free shipping when you hit $55.

Question 21

How quickly will my order ship?

Accepted Answer

We ship orders on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If you place your order before a shipping day, it goes out on the next one. For example, an order placed on Tuesday ships Wednesday. An order placed on Thursday ships Friday. Once it ships, most domestic orders arrive within 3 to 5 business days depending on your location.

Question 22

Do you ship internationally?

Accepted Answer

Right now, we only ship within the United States. We'd love to get flies in the hands of anglers everywhere, and international shipping is something we're looking into for the future. If you're outside the U.S. and interested, drop us a note so we know there's demand. It helps us prioritize when we expand.

Question 23

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

We want you to be happy with your purchase. If something arrives damaged or isn't what you expected, contact us and we'll make it right. For unused, unopened products, we accept returns within 30 days of delivery. We also stand behind every fly with our Fish in the Hand Guarantee, which goes beyond a standard return policy.

Question 24

Can I exchange my order for a different product?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you'd like to swap one product for another, just reach out to us within 30 days of delivery. We'll walk you through the process and get the right product shipped to you. If there's a price difference, we'll handle that at the time of the exchange. The easiest way to start is by emailing us directly.

Question 25

What is the Fish in the Hand Guarantee?

Accepted Answer

The Fish in the Hand Guarantee is our promise that our flies will catch fish. Period. We're so confident in the quality and effectiveness of our hand-tied patterns that we back them with a real guarantee. If you fish our flies and they don't produce, we'll work with you to make it right. It's our way of putting our money where our mouth is.

Question 26

How does the Fish in the Hand Guarantee work?

Accepted Answer

It's straightforward. Buy our flies, fish them, and if they don't catch fish, contact us. Tell us what you were fishing for, where you were, and what patterns you used. We'll work with you on a solution, which might mean sending you different patterns better suited to your local water or issuing a refund. We're not here to dodge claims; we're here to help you catch fish.

Question 27

Does the guarantee cover all of your products?

Accepted Answer

The Fish in the Hand Guarantee applies to all of our hand-tied fly collections, including the Guide's Stash and Just the Flies sets. Fly tying kits are covered by our standard return policy since the tying results depend on your skill level. Casting classes and gift cards are not covered by the guarantee but have their own satisfaction policies.

Question 28

Is there a time limit on the guarantee?

Accepted Answer

We don't put a hard expiration date on the guarantee. We understand that fishing is seasonal, and you might not get out on the water right away after your order arrives. That said, we ask that you give the flies a fair shot under reasonable conditions before reaching out. We trust our customers, and we think that's a better approach than fine-print time limits.

Question 29

What's the difference between dry flies, nymphs, and streamers?

Accepted Answer

Dry flies float on the surface and imitate adult insects like mayflies or caddis. You can see the fish eat them, which is part of the thrill. Nymphs sink below the surface and imitate the larval stage of aquatic insects. They account for most of the trout caught on fly rods because trout feed subsurface about 80% of the time. Streamers imitate baitfish and leeches and are fished with an active retrieve to trigger aggressive strikes.

Question 30

What size flies should I use?

Accepted Answer

Fly sizes are numbered, and the system runs backwards: smaller numbers mean bigger flies. A size 8 Woolly Bugger is a big, chunky fly. A size 20 midge is tiny. For general trout fishing, sizes 12 to 16 cover most dry fly and nymph situations. Streamers typically run sizes 6 to 10. When in doubt, go one size smaller rather than one size bigger. Trout get picky about size more often than pattern.

Question 31

What does "matching the hatch" mean?

Accepted Answer

Matching the hatch means choosing a fly that closely imitates the insects currently on the water. When bugs are hatching, trout key in on that specific insect and often ignore everything else. Look at what's flying around the river or floating on the surface, then pick a fly that matches the size, shape, and color. Getting the size right matters most; exact color is secondary.

Question 32

I'm brand new to fly fishing. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

Start with three things: a basic fly rod setup (a 5-weight rod is the standard starting point for trout), a selection of flies that covers the basics (our Guide's Stash has you covered), and either a casting lesson or some time practicing in the backyard. Don't overthink gear at first. Get on the water, make some casts, and learn as you go. Fly fishing is simpler than people make it sound.

Question 33

When is the best time of year to fly fish for trout?

Accepted Answer

Trout can be caught year-round, but spring and fall are generally the best seasons. Spring brings major insect hatches that get trout feeding aggressively on the surface. Fall is pre-spawn season when trout bulk up and eat everything in sight. Summer can be productive early and late in the day, but midday heat pushes fish deeper. Winter fishing is slower but rewarding if you focus on nymphing deep pools.

Question 34

Do I need different flies for different seasons?

Accepted Answer

It helps. Different insects hatch at different times of year, and trout adjust their diet accordingly. Spring calls for mayfly and caddis patterns. Summer is prime time for terrestrials like hoppers and ants. Fall is streamer season for targeting big, aggressive fish. Winter is all about small midges and nymphs fished slow and deep. A collection like the Guide's Stash gives you a solid foundation for all four seasons.

Question 35

How do I know if a fly pattern will work on my local river?

Accepted Answer

The best source is your local fly shop. They know exactly what's hatching and what patterns are producing. You can also check online fishing reports for your area. That said, there are patterns that work almost everywhere: Woolly Buggers, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Elk Hair Caddis, and Parachute Adams are all safe bets. Our collections are built around these kinds of proven, versatile patterns.

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About Brookbow

We're here to help you catch more fish.

What Makes Our Flies Different

Our Team

John Vishnesky — Founder

Dayle Mazzarella — Master Casting Instructor

Our Tying Partners

Where We're Based

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