Best Fly Tying Vise： Top 8 – 2023 Buyer’s Guide

In this fly tying vise guide we want to provide you with all the info you need on the best fly tying vises on the market.

Disclaimer:All products in this guide are independently researched by our team. We only recommend products we believe in and never get paid for the reviews. Learn more about our review process here.

There is little more exciting in fly fishing than seducing a fish to take a fly you tied yourself. To get started with tying is easier than you might think. Your flies won’t be perfect from the get go but simple patterns can be learned quickly.

In order to tie your own flies you need a tying vise, often also called tying vice. We give you an overview of the best fly tying vises on the market no matter whether you’re a beginner, advanced fly tier or expert.

The Best Fly Tying Vises on the Market

We picked vices for all levels of fly tying to make sure you choose the right product no matter your level of fly tying. At the end of the article we will also explain what to pay attention to when choosing your vise. You might think: do I need a rotary vice or can I do with a tying vise with fixed jaws? Don’t worry, we got you covered here. Let’s go!

Dyna-King Professional Vise

Key features:

– Four positive locking angle adjustments for stable tying

– Fully machined with high quality stainless steel and aluminum for extra durability

– Made in the USA. Dyna King Inc. has been in the business for almost 40 years

Why we picked it:

The Dyna-King Professional Vise is everything you are looking for in a high-end fly vice. The fully rotating vise comes with a sophisticated quick clamping system. It can be precisely adjusted to hold hook sizes from #10/0 all the way to #32.

The clamping jaws have two notches of different sizes, which are designed for medium and very large hooks. The Dyna-King Professional Vise can be brought into a horizontal position as well.

PROS:
Honestly, this is all you need in a vise. It’s a sturdy base, the clasp is tight and the rotation is perfect. I would recommend this to anyone.

CONS:
Needs a bit of knowledge to take full advantage of

Kylebooker Fly Tying Vise FTV04

Key features:

- DURABLE MATERIAL: This tool is crafted with quality metal material, high strength, anti-rust, durable
- FIRMLY CLAMP: The tip can clamp the hook firmly, fits for various of sizes of hook
- HANDLE DESIGN: With a handle for the axle to roll line on the hook
- EASY TO USE: The clamp can be clamped on table for stable operation, and can help you easily make a fly lure tightly fastened to a hook
- GREAT TOOLS: Useful tools for you to make your own fly lure, very convenient and practical!

Why we picked it:

The Kylebooker Fly Tying Vise FTV04 is probably the best fly tying vise for the money if you are just getting started. It has everything you ask for in a fly tying vice: a bobbin holder which is a prerequisite for a rotary vice (360 degree rotation). 

The advantage of a rotary fly tying vise is it’s versatility. The rotation enables you to tie more advanced flies more easily. The Kylebooker Fly Fishing Vise FTV04 only disadvantage we found in the is the fact that you have to clamp it to a table, it cannot stand on its own.

PROS:
Lifelong guarantee
Fully rotating

CONS:
C-clamp limits versatility

Peak Rotary Fly Tying Vise

Key features:

– Tempered tool steel jaws securely hold hooks from size 2/0 to the smallest hooks around

– The pedestal base is heavy and stable and holds the vice in place safely

Why we picked it:

The Peak Rotary Vise is another great fly vise for the money. At around $150 it is a great choice for fly tiers who are a little more advanced already. You can get the Peak Rotary with a C-clamp or a pedestal base.

The Peak Rotary Vise features a minimum design to focus on what’s essential. It is made from super stable materials including stainless steel and aircraft aluminum.

PROS:

Kylebooker Fly Tying Vise FTV05

Key features:

– FIRMLY CLAMP: The width of the opening can be adjusted flexibly, fits for various of sizes of hook.

– WIRE RACK DESIGN: With a wire rack, more convenient to use.

-DURABLE MATERIAL: This tool is crafted with quality steel material, high strength, anti-rust, durable.

-EASY TO USE: Counterweight base, non bottom, enhanced stability.

PROS:
Great overall vise if you are looking to spend less than $200
All stainless steel

CONS:
Main arm fixation can be a bit tedious

Renzetti Traveller 2200 Cam

The Renzetti Traveler 2200 has the following features:

– All parts of the traveler are anodized for extreme durability

– Renzetti claims the strongest hook holding power in the industry

Why we picked it:

With the Renzetti Traveller 2200 you enter the territory of professional fly tiers. First introduced in 1988 the Traveler Rotary Vise has been extremely popular ever since.

The Renzetti Traveler 2200 comes in two versions: pedestal or C-clamp which makes it even lighter, ideal for travelling as the name suggests.

PROS:

I have been thinking about getting a new vise for some time now. I am glad I did, and I’m very glad I decided to get this Renzetti. After taking with some fellow crappie jig tier’s, I was convinced to give this vise a try, after all it was money back if I wasn’t satisfied. Well, they will be keeping their money. The vise is solid for being a travel vise, I am in the Emergancy medical field and I work a lot of hours and different places a lot, so it was in my best interest to buy a travel vise, as I can tie at work when not busy. 5 huge stars for this vise, if anyone is in the market for a new GOOD vise, give this one a shot, it’s a dandy! Thank you Renzetti!

CONS:
Not quite as sturdy due to lightweight construction

Regal Medallion Fly Tying Vise, Traditional base

Key features:

– Revolves 360 degrees and articulates 220 degrees up and down

– Ultimate hook holding power

Why we picked it:

The Regal Medallion is one of the best products on the market. Yes, you have to invest a bit of money but if you are a serious fly tier you won’t regret spending your money on a Regal vise.

Regal’s flagship product can be used to tie any fly ranging from small dries and nymphs all the way up to big streamers for large predators. The Regal Medallion is fully rotating and articulates up and down by 220 degrees.

PROS:

I have used Regal Vises for over 50 years and have been completely satisfied. This new vise is probably one of the most versatile vises on the market today with all of the features of the more expensive vises. I would just warn future buyers to make sure they buy the model that suits their mode of tying. If you are into tying larger saltwater or freshwater flies make sure you purchase the Big Game Model.

CONS:
Minimalist style is great but you need some experience fly tying

Wolff Industries Apex Rotary

Key features:

– 360 degrees rotation

– Excellent hook holding capabilities

Why we picked it:

The Wolff Industries Apex Rotary is another hugely popular vise amongst fly tiers. It comes with a lifetime warranty that gives you peace of mind in case something does not work as planned. The rotary vise enables a 360 degree jaw rotation. Stainless steel, extra tough around the jaws, ensures a long lasting quality product.

Grooves in the jaws ensure a secure fit of the hook when tying with the Wolff Industries Apex Rotary. A clamp on the pedestal allows for a vertical or angled operation. You can switch the solid pedestal for a C-clamp if you prefer to attach your vise to your tying desk.

PROS:

I bought this vise as an upgrade from a cheapo Super-AA style vise with soft jaws that were starting to lose their holding power. I didn't want to drop ~$200 on a high-end vise, but I didn't want to settle for another low-end vise that would give out after another year or two. There's a pretty big gap from well-made starter vises (~$40) to more advanced vises like the Renzetti Traveler (~$170), with only a couple occupying that sweet spot around $100. There's the Griffin Odyssey series, which I've heard great things about but the cam-locking model came in above what I wanted to spend, and the Renzetti Apprentice which seemed like a slightly nicer Super-AA. Not happy wit those, I kept hunting.

Enter the Apex! These can be found from between $90 and $110 if you're patient enough to poke around for a while. They come with both a solid pedestal base and a C-clamp base that's beefy and has a large enough gap to fit decently thick surfaces. The vise itself is built out of machined steel and is built like a tank; I could use this thing like a bludgeon if I had to. There's no play between components (except for the cam lever when unlocked, which is to be expected) and I haven't seen any machining flaws.

CONS:
Not quite as sturdy as the Regal

Renzetti Clouser Cam Saltwater Traveler Series

Key features:

– Built to tie the largest flies for saltwater species

– C-clamp and pedestal available

Why we picked it:

If you are into saltwater fishing and want to tie your own patterns to catch bonefish, stripers and co., make sure to check out the Renzetti Clouser Cam Saltwater Traveler Series. Named after one of the game’s most famous people, Bob Clouser, this vise allows to tie larger saltwater flies such as the Clouser Minnow.

Just like its brother, the Renzetti Clouser Cam Saltwater Traveler Series, the Renzetti Clouser Cam Saltwater Traveler Series comes in a pedestal and c-clamp version. However, the saltwater series can hold larger and stronger hooks which are essential when hunting strong saltwater species.

PROS:
Unmatched when it comes to tying big streamers
Excellent grip even on big hooks

CONS:
Not ideal if you also want to tie tiny flies

Best Fly Tying Vise Lamps

Now that you have a good overview of the best fly tying vises out there on the market, we want to focus on one of the most essential gadgets when it comes to tying your own flies: the fly tying vise light. If you have a bright desk lamp you might as well use that one but if you are new to tying you can consider getting a fly tying light together with a vise. Here are a few good options for you to consider.

Brightech LightView Pro Fly Vise Light

Why we picked it:

For a little over $30, the Brightech LightView Pro Fly Vise Light offers a great entry level fly vise light. It features an integrated 1:1.75 magnifying glass surrounded by a bright LED light. If your eyes are a little weak or if your tying room is not perfectly lit, the Brightech LightView Pro will offer you everything you need to tie your flies with precision. There is even a version with a 1:2.25 magnification.

The Brightech LightView Pro comes with a heavy base and a clip, so you can choose how you want to use it at your tying desk. The gooseneck is highly flexible and you can easily bring it into the position you desire. The fly vise magnifiers and lights of the Brightech LightView Pro are very reliable and will last you a long time.

Carson MagniFly

Why we picked it:

The Carson MagniFly is another solid option if you are looking for a fly vise light. In contrast to theBrightech LightView Pro it only comes with a C-clamp which means you can attach it to your tying desk but it doesn’t feature a base that enables it to stand on a desk.

The Carson MagniFly features a 2x magnification and the LED comes with 3 very bright LED bulbs. It can either be run on power with an 4.5v AC/DC adapter or on batteries (which you will have to get separately). Comes with a limited lifetime guarantee.

Alert FTL130 LED Fly Tie Light

Why we picked it:

With 220 Lumen, the Alert FTL130 LED Fly Tie Light offers maximum brightness. Thanks to separate LED lights and magnifiers you can use them individually. The overall magnification is 2x but theAlert FTL130 LED Fly Tie Light offers up to 10x spot magnification which makes it an excellent choice for the ones whose eyes have gotten a bit weaker over the years.

The Alert FTL130 LED Fly Tie Light comes with a solid base and a C-clamp so you have the choice in attaching it to your fly tying desk. The base even features a small built-in storage tray and magnet.

With 220 Lumen, the offers maximum brightness. Thanks to separate LED lights and magnifiers you can use them individually. The overall magnification is 2x but the offers up to 10x spot magnification which makes it an excellent choice for the ones whose eyes have gotten a bit weaker over the years.The comes with a solid base and a C-clamp so you have the choice in attaching it to your fly tying desk. The base even features a small built-in storage tray and magnet.

Further Reading

Best Fly Fishing Vest 2023
Best Fly Fishing Sling Pack 2023
Best Fly Fishing Chest Pack 2023
Best Fly Fishing Reel Case 2023
Best Fly Tying Vise 2023
Kylebooker Fly Fishing Catalog 2023

Best Fly Tying Vise Knowledge

In this section we want to give you more information on what to be aware of when choosing your tying vise. We will cover why it makes sense to tie your own flies, which product is good for you and what features in a vise are important.

Why you should Consider Tying your own Flies

Some fly fishermen tie their own flies, others don’t. While there is no need to tie your own flies we want to give you advice on why we think it’s a good idea.

First and foremost: we think you’ll become a better fly fisher if you start tying your own flies. The reason behind this is the fact that you will become more knowledgeable about insects and their artificial counterparts that tiers try to imitate.

If you are on a fly fishing trip for example and bring along your vise (look for a travel model) you can quickly adapt to the conditions and tie a few flies at night that might make a difference the next day.

Especially nymphs can be tied easily and quickly. Techniques such as euro nymphing have become increasingly popular in recent years – most of all because they are so successful.

Last but not least catching fish with your own creations is incredibly fun and satisfying.

What type of vise do I need?

In order to purchase the right product you should ask yourself the following questions before getting one.

How much time are you spending tying flies?

If you only tying flies every once in a while it probably doesn’t make sense for you to invest hundreds of dollars in the most sophisticated vise. The same holds true if you are only getting started.

What types of flies are you tying?

If you are mainly tying flies for trout any of the vises we reviewed above will work just fine for you.

Clamp or Pedestal Vise
The question whether you prefer a clamp or pedestal vise can only be answered by yourself. Here are the advantages of the respective versions.

A vise with a clamp can be attached to any table and is hence very versatile. It is easier for travelling because the pedestal is often very heavy and sturdy to ensure a stable setting on a table. Several of the models we reviewed above come in both version for you to choose from.

Rotary Fly Tying Vise vs Fixed Jaw Vise
A fixed jaw vise has no option to rotate. It comes in one position that is not changeable. Most modern day vises are rotary vises.

What is a Rotary Fly Vise?
In a rotary fly tying vise the head can rotate. When you are tying more advanced flies a rotary vise makes adding materials to your creations easier. When tying a fly you can hold the material steady and simply rotate the head which can increase precision and result it better tied flies.

Do you need a Rotary Vise?
Of course you could argue that a rotary vise is not necessary. It won’t help you become a better tier. You will have to learn the fundamentals no matter what type of vise you use.

If you are just starting out your first vise might not have to be a rotary vice. Once you’re sure you will stick with tying and have learned the basics a rotary vice can make your tying life easier.

How much should you Spend on Fly Tying Vises?
Since everybody has their own budget it is difficult to give a simple answer here. You can definitely start tying flies with a vise such as the Kylebooker Fly Fishing Vise FTV04 which will cost you less than $100.

If you are looking for something a little more advanced medium-priced vises between $150 and $200 are a good choice, for example the Kylebooker Fly Tying Vise FTV05 or the Renzetti Traveler 2200 Vise.

If fly tying becomes your passion you can invest more than $350 to get some of the best fly tying vises on the market such as a Dyna King Professional or a Regal Revolution.

How difficult is fly tying?
Fly tying can seem very hard in the beginning. Yet, if you start out with simple patters for nymphs for example, you will gain confidence and get better soon. Step by step you can start tying more advanced creations such as streamers and dry flies. The satisfaction you’ll get from catching a fish with a fly you tied is immense.

How much does it cost to get into fly tying?
It doesn’t cost much to get into fly tying. The best way to do it is to get a fly tying kit. It contains all the basic materials you will need in the beginning to start tying your own flies. Once you get better at fly tying you can start buying other materials.

Is fly tying fun?
While fly tying can be a little challenging in the beginning, the satisfaction you get from catching a fish with a fly you tied yourself, will certainly outweigh the effort.

Additional Resources

If you are looking for additional resources make sure to check our other stories in “Fly Tying“.

Here are some how to’s for a number of different flies:

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