My name is Robert Hebert, and I am a native of Maine.

My grandfather was an avid fly fisherman who also tied his own flies. I first attempted fly tying as a young kid, but I lacked the patience to stick with it.

I rediscovered my passion for fly tying in my late 20s, around 2013, after a fishing trip with one of my younger brothers, and I have been tying flies ever since.

In 2016, I began tying and selling flies through Facebook. Then, at the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, I decided to launch my Etsy shop, Robert’s Fly Shack. In 2023, I developed a fly pattern called Henry’s Paralator, which is now exclusively produced and sold through Rainy’s Flies in Utah.

My specialty lies in dry flies, and I enjoy tying a variety of styles, from parachute patterns to caddis.

When it comes to personal fly boxes, aesthetics aren’t crucial. However, for flies intended for sale, they must possess a certain “bin appeal” to catch the attention of anglers. As for the fish, as long as the fly resembles a recognizable food source, they will likely strike it.

In my opinion, the key to successful fly tying is to strive for realism in imitating the target insect as closely as possible.

For those just starting out in fly tying, I recommend practicing patience and honing your skills through repetition. Starting with simple patterns like woolly worms, Griffith’s gnats, or elk hair caddis can be beneficial.

You can find some of my flies available for purchase at Selene’s Fly Shop or directly from my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/robertsflyshack

Henry’s Paralators are available for purchase exclusively through Rainy’s Flies.

Robert Hebert