The 9 Best Fly Tying Bobbins in 2024 – Buyers Guide

best fly tying bobbin

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Catching a fish on a fly that you’ve tied yourself is one of those experiences that I’d struggle to explain to anyone that hasn’t done it before. If you haven’t, you’ll have to trust me when I say it’s one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.

A bobbin is one of those often overlooked items in your beginner fly tying kit, until you’ve had a bad one. The tension is off, the line is pulled too tight, or worse yet it falls out and rolls out the door. 

Image Product Details  
flyfisherpro-table__imageBest OverallStonfo Disc Drag Bobbin
  • Easy To Thread
  • Versatile & Comfortable
  • Fantastic Thread Tension Adjustment
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest BudgetDR SLICK – ECO Flared Fly Tying Tool from Dr Slick
  • Great Tensioning
  • Sturdy
  • Great Value
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest for Salt waterStonfo Elite2 Saltwater Streamer Disc Drag Bobbin
  • Very Strong
  • Perfect For Saltwater
  • Quick Adjusting Drag
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest Tension ControlRite Ceramic Bobbin
  • With Ceramic Insert
  • Easy Adjustability
  • Total Thread Tension Control
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flyfisherpro-table__imageMost VersatileLoon Outdoors Ergo Bobbin
  • Fantastic Shape & Size
  • Ideal For Larger Flies
  • Saltwater and Freshwater
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest GripDr. Slick Glass Bobbin with Delrin Feet
  • With Derlin Feet
  • Comfortable Grip
  • Glass Insert
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flyfisherpro-table__imageMost DurableUmpqua Tiemco Ceramic Bobbin, Heavy Straight
  • Extra Smooth
  • Keeps Thread Intact
  • Long-Lasting
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest DesignC&F Design CFT-61 Vise Bobbin Holder Midge Fly Tool
  • Teflon Coated
  • Foam Design Tube
  • Slick Red Band
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flyfisherpro-table__imageEasiest To ControlXFISHMAN Fly-Tying-Bobbin-Holder 2 Pack Fly Fishing Gear – with Threader Holder Fly Tying Tools Set
  • Hyper Smooth Hole
  • Unique Fit Design
  • Easy To Control
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Detailed Fly Tying Bobbins Reviews Reviews

Stonfo Disc Drag Bobbin

Stonfo Disc Drag Bobbin

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Key Features:

  • Fantastic thread tension adjustment
  • Can fit different sized spools
  • Comfortable in the hand
  • Pretty easy to thread

The Stonfo Elite Disc Drag Bobbin is definitely one of the best fly tying tools in the US and its design is made to fit different types of spools inside it.

It comes highly recommended for any tyer that finds it fun to tie dries, nymphs or streamers because of its fantastic tensioning adjustment, versatility and incredible price point.

The fly tying bobbins are especially good if you are a beginner at tying because they are quite easy to thread but at the same time very sturdy.

Furthermore, we found the drag particularly easy to adjust, which makes it easier for you to change the thread, thus, good for differently colored flies.

DR SLICK – ECO Flared Fly Tying Tool from Dr Slick

DR SLICK ECO Flared Fly Tying Tool from Dr Slick

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Key Features:

  • Great tensioning
  • Sturdy
  • Good for its price point
  • Small and nimble ends

You shouldn’t let the relatively inexpensive price point fool you. This budget fly tying material is one of the best bobbins out there.

It features quite small and nimble ends, which makes it easy for you to work with it. This is because working with bobbins can be quite. The design of these ends make the bobbin function quite well.

The great tensioning is particularly good to enable to tie your flies easily while you smoothly feed the spool. However, it would be best to keep in mind that it works better with smaller spools.

Therefore, if you would like to work with larger streamers, it is only advisable that you try finding a larger bobbin.

Stonfo Elite2 Saltwater Streamer Disc Drag Bobbin

Stonfo Elite2 Saltwater Streamer Disc Drag Bobbin

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Key Features:

  • Features a quick adjusting drag
  • Very strong
  • The ends are strong and coated
  • Durable and strong
  • Better for saltwater streamers

This is one of the most durable stainless steel fly tying bobbins on the US market and it can easily hold your flies for hours on end.

One of the most outstanding features is the quick adjusting drag system to enable you choose the best tensioning for your most preferred thread.

The coated ends on the bobbins are better for preventing your thread from fraying, which means there will be significantly fewer breaks. Therefore, it is great for larger-sized spools.

Moreover, you can tie heavy-duty thread because it comes with a wider tube for saltwater streamers.

Rite Ceramic Bobbin

Rite Ceramic Bobbin

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Key Features:

  • Comes with a ceramic insert
  • Features a total thread tension control
  • Easy adjustability
  • Doesn’t cause abrasion on thread

If you are looking for fly fishing gear that is smooth, well-made and sturdy when going out for your fly fishing trips, this may be a great choice for you. This is all made possible because of its construction.

If you want a bobbin that will work well with the same thread, the product will do the trick. However, it may not the best option for you if you want to tie multi-colored flies. Therefore, you can always opt for a different bobbin altogether.

Because of how it’s made, you don’t have to worry about the fly tying bobbins causing abrasions on your thread. Thus, perfectly wrapping your thread without snapping will be possible. Couple this with the near perfect tension adjustment and you have a fantastic fly tying bobbin.

Loon Outdoors Ergo Bobbin

Loon Outdoors Ergo Bobbin

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Key Features:

  • Nice for fly trying streamers
  • It has a fantastic shape and size
  • Great for larger flies, including streamers
  • Could work with salt water flies

This fly tying product is moderately shaped because it’s neither too tiny nor is it too big. Therefore, it is perfectly sized for a greater number differently sized hands.

It can easily work with large flies, including streamers but at the same time it can work with smaller ones like the pheasant tail nymphs or the parachute adams, among others. However, sometimes it can be tedious dealing with the smaller flies.

Dr. Slick Glass Bobbin with Delrin Feet

Dr Slick Glass Bobbin with Delrin Feet

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Key Features:

  • Features a comfortable grip
  • 400 grade stainless steel construction
  • Comes with Delrin feet
  • Includes glass inserts

This bobbin is made of 400 grade material, giving it that strong and sturdy feel, to withstand any fly fishing conditions.

Also, it comes with glass inserts, featuring a hyper-smooth small diameter insert. This insert is designed to allow for extra fine fly tying thread of 8/0 or higher, plus any other synthetic thread.

Furthermore, the Delrin feet give it that ultra-slick appeal that you won’t easily find on many other fly tying products in the US. The comfortable grip is a great plus.

Keep in mind that it comes in three sizes- 3-inch, 4-inch and 4.75-inch.

Umpqua Tiemco Ceramic Bobbin, Heavy Straight

Umpqua Tiemco Ceramic Bobbin Heavy Straight

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Key Features:

  • Extra smooth
  • Keeps your thread intact
  • Long-lasting

Yet another incredible bobbin that is extra smooth, which means that you need not to worry about snapping your thread while tying your flies.

These fly tying tools are not only reliable but also highly durable and long-lasting, ensuring that you enjoy extended service life.

Furthermore, it will be up to you to either choose curved or straight fly tying tools, depending on the aesthetics you are looking for.

C&F Design CFT-61 Vise Bobbin Holder Midge Fly Tool

C&F Design CFT-61 Vise Bobbin Holder Midge Fly Tool

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Key Features:

  • Features Teflon coated bobbin lugs
  • The tube has a foam design
  • It includes a slick red band

If you are a beginner tyer, you will find it pretty easy to get started with this bobbin and progress to a pro.

Unlike its predecessor, the CFT-60, this model comes with a finer tubing to enable you to easily work with smaller flies.

Moreover, the weight of the bobbin keeps tension on materials you are in the process of tying. The foam design in the bobbin’s tubing is great for retaining constant threat tension while the lugs coated with Teflon make sure that the spool rotates smoothly.

XFISHMAN Fly-Tying-Bobbin-Holder 2 Pack Fly Fishing Gear – with Threader Holder Fly Tying Tools Set

XFISHMAN Fly-Tying-Bobbin-Holder 2 Pack Fly Fishing Gear – with Threader Holder Fly Tying Tools Set

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Key Features:

  • Features a unique fit design
  • Easy to control, durable and long-lasting
  • Hyper smooth hole
  • Includes easily adjusted tension

One of the features that sets this bobbin apart is the super smooth hole that functions to prevent the thread from fraying. Also, the unique fit design with a patterned surface gives it a non-slip effect and elegance.

Since it was constructed with high-quality materials, it has a perfect finish and at the same time making it easy to use and control.

How to Buy The Best Fly Tying Bobbin For You

What to Consider when Buying the best fly tying bobbin

Some of the important factors to consider when you want to shop for fly bobbins from a fly shop include:

Sizing to fit spools

Since not every spool has the same diameter or shape, you have to make sure that the best fly tying bobbins you buy are sized to fit a wide range of spools. However, the great fitting of the fly tying products for people going out for fly fishing would be around 7.9 mm.

At the same time, as you shop for the best fly device, ensure that your product can work with other spool sizes to allow you to easily pick out your threads. This includes picking out one will snug your spool securely to avoid pop-ups and tangles.

Tension

tension

The kind of tension that your fly tying bobbins have, is the most crucial factor to consider as you shop around to find the right one. It would even be great even if you want to lightly tie your thread to avoid breaks or unraveling as you tie your thread.

Therefore, keep an eye out for a bobbin that will let you tie all the flies you want. This means that you should find one with easily adjusted control to prevent breaking, unraveling or snapping when used.

Inasmuch as you might enjoy using your hands to adjust the tension of your thread, using the tension control would be a good way to prevent consistent breaking when used.

Internal finish

Since you will need to adjust the tension of your thread coming out of a tube, you will have to make sure that the inner finish is polished, smooth and flared.

You could also find tubes with inserts to prevent damaging or breaking your line.

If you choose to buy a poor quality bobbin, it will be quite tedious to tie your line. Inasmuch as cheaper versions may mean poor quality, there are incredible budget options out there.

FAQs

fly tying bobbin FAQ

What constitutes the best fly fishing bobbin?

Since the term best is relative, the best bobbin for you would be dependent on what you intend to achieve while using it.

For instance, if you wish to use dry flies and smaller nymphs, it would be best for you to find smaller bobbins and vice versa.

Do I need an automatic tension control on my bobbin?

Both automatic and manual tension controls have their advantages. Therefore, it all boils down to your preference when tying.

If you prefer using your hands when tying flies, then it is only great for you to go for manual rather than automatic tension adjustment.

Conclusion

The best overall winner in this review is the Stonfo Disc Drag Bobbin, One Size because of its versatility, comfort grip, tension and excellent pricing point for fly fishing gear. The drag is also easily adjustable and to change, which is why it is ideal for both large and small flies.

If that’s not for you, then check out the Dr Slick Bobin, it’s also pretty good and has a slightly better price tag.

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