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It's rare for fly fishermen to share their trade secrets. But Jones Fly Company cofounders Peter Jones and David Tieman were happy to do just that when they opened their East Nashville fly shop back in 2012. This month, the company upgrades to a larger location on the corner of South 10th Street and Fatherland; the expansion provides space to showcase more of their hand-tied flies as well as new retail offerings, including apparel, additional gear brands (they're certified carriers of Loop rods and reels), boots and waders, and high-end coolers.
'Our goal is to carry all the products you could potentially need to have a successful day on the water,” says Tieman.
Inside the open-shop concept, customers can see the workmanship and detail that go into the thousands of fly patterns they stock.
'We fish for a wide variety under all types of circumstances, so having a wide variety of flies is key to our success,” says Tieman.
To create realistic flies, Jones and Tieman source exotic materialsthink furs, buck tails, and large feathers for their striper and muskie fliesfrom suppliers across the country. They assure that their hand-tied flies outlast and outperform mass-produced, factory-tied fliesand they take conscientious measures in their design process, sourcing materials that make less of an impact on the environment.
'We use brass and tungsten to add weight to various patterns, instead of lead,” says Tieman. 'And while these materials are generally more expensive, many of the cheaper, mass-produced flies you'll find can potentially result in environmental damage to the waterways.”
For beginners or those looking for extra experience on the water, Jones Fly Company offers 'walk and wade” and guided fly-fishing tours. Interested in casting solo? Their knowledgeable team is eager to provide adviceand coveted trade secretsfrom supplies needed to recommendations on bodies of water, time of day, and optimal weather conditions for the catch you seek.
'For trout, the Elk and Caney rivers are excellent producersbut for this time of year, it's also very important to check the water levels,” says Tieman, who also recommends downloading the free TVA Lake Info app to your phone for water release schedules and elevation updates on the go. 'With the number of local tailwaters available, fly-fishing in the Nashville area can be a year-round sport.”
301 S. 10th St., 615-815-5589; jonesfly.com