Lough Erne fly Vice

You can get a fly-tying vice for as little as £20, or as much as £600. You’ll start low, and then, once you catch the fly-tying bug, you’ll want to upgrade. There are a few well-established mid-priced vices out there, but not many that have the sleek simplicity and build quality of this new Lough Erne Vice from Irish Fly Supplies.

Two years in development

Owner Sam McGowan has spent two years perfecting this model, which is based on the design of the famous Lawrence Waldron Vice. It has a full rotary motion using two ball bearings. The vice looks stunning in its stainless-steel build, with added powder coating for contrast on the base, rotary barrel and hardened steel jaws, which feature an effective sprung screw adjustment.

What we liked

The jaw grip is solid and accepts every size of hook you’re likely to want. We also love the size of the spoked screw head – so tactile that it’s easy to grip and tighten. The front shank on which the jaws are fixed is angled to ensure the hook rotates perfectly in line with the rear of the shaft. The nut used to adjust the rotary tension is equally tactile, making this vice, although simple, very user-friendly.

Supplied with a heavy base and a material arm to store bobbins and materials between steps, this is truly an impressive vice for the money – exactly what Sam was striving for. 

A serious vice that comes highly recommended.

Price Lough Erne vice, £249.99

Contact: Irish-fly-supplies.square.site

Related articles:

Semperfli pre-cut foam bodies

Fly Smith fly tying tools