Kyler Fear - Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

I first picked up a fly rod in 2020 while living in Chicago and have been hooked ever since. I cut my teeth learning the streams of the Wisconsin Driftless before moving to Western North Carolina in 2024. Not long after beginning fly fishing, my obsession with fly tying began and has become a valuable skill as I build my guiding career here in the cool streams of Western NC.

Fly Tying Experience

Years Tying Flies: Since 2021

How You Got Started

My wife's (girlfriend at the time) father used to tie flies while living in Pennsylvania/Ohio earlier in his life. After learning of my newfound interest in fly fishing, he gifted me his large collection of materials and an older vise, giving me a great jumpstart into the world of fly tying.

Favorite Pattern to Tie

I'm a sucker for a black or olive micro streamer tied on a Firehole 516 or 551 jig hook with a size 2.5 or 3.0 slotted speckled tungsten bead.

Favorite Species & Waters

Target Species: Native brook trout
Favorite Waters to Fish: The blueline streams in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests

Fly Tying Style & Specialties

My tying style is a combination of simple/mute and flashy/bright tones, with a preference to the brighter colors. I've had great success with combination patterns that I brainstorm together, believing that it presents something that many fish haven't seen before in pressured waters.

Why You Trust Firehole

I trust Firehole because I know that it doesn't matter if it's the first fish or the 50th fish, these hooks are durable and sharp enough to get the job done. I also can't express enough the appreciation I have towards Firehole's dedication to making their hooks barbless to protect the beautiful, fragile fish that we target while using them.

Social Media & Links

• TikTok: @kylerfear

My primary source of fly fishing, guiding and tying content is on TikTok. Be sure to let me know you came from the Firehole Ambassador page!

Gear & Bench Setup

I'm currently running a Peak vise (upgrading soon to a Regal or Renzetti), a combination of Stonfo, Loon, and Anadromous tools, and most materials from MFC, Hareline, and Fulling Mill tied with Firehole hooks and tungsten beads.

Fun Fact

I'm an Orthopedic Physician Assistant with a focus in total joint replacements. Let's hit the water and talk about getting those knees and hips taken care of!