Bench notes · By Fly Tyer's Bench

A fly tying inventory you will actually use.

Name: Fly Tyer's Bench
Author: Fly Tyer's Bench

Published and reviewed October 19, 2026

Should I use an app or a spreadsheet to track fly tying materials?

Use a spreadsheet if you want a flexible list and are comfortable entering materials and checking recipes yourself. Fly Tyer's Bench suits tyers who want to scan materials with a camera, match their inventory to fly patterns, and build shopping lists from missing supplies. A small, well-maintained list can be more useful than an elaborate system you stop updating.

Compare the work at the bench

A basic spreadsheet compared with Fly Tyer's Bench
Task	Basic spreadsheet	Fly Tyer's Bench
Add a material	Enter the details in your own columns.	Scan a label or loose material, review the result, then save.
Find something to tie	Compare your list with a recipe yourself.	Match your inventory to the pattern library, including near-matches and substitutions.
Prepare a shop visit	Maintain a separate list or a shopping column.	Build a shopping list from missing or low-stock materials.
Use your own format	Choose your own columns and formulas.	Use app categories; Annual Pro adds CSV and Excel import/export.

Start with one shelf and one recipe

Pick a fly you want to tie. Its recipe gives you a useful first set of materials to catalog.
Record the material name, color, size, and stock status. For hooks, keep the model and hook size distinct from thread or bead sizes.
Review camera results before saving. Similar packaging and unlabeled loose materials can need corrections.
Check what is missing before buying. Record practical substitutions alongside the recipe rather than buying a second packet automatically.
Update the inventory when you restock or run low. A short routine after a tying session keeps the list useful.

Try the workflow before cataloging everything

Fly Tyer's Bench includes 20 starter scans in total, free online patterns, and local inventory tracking. Start with a few packets and a recipe you know. Pro is optional for more scanning, restore, sync, and offline tools.