Scottie Products Ltd

Scottie Products Ltd: fly tying vices, materials and the Scottie brand

Scottie Products Ltd is a British company dedicated to fly tying and fly fishing equipment. It manufactures the Scottie range of fly tying vices in the UK and distributes tying materials, hooks and tools, acting as UK importer for Grip Hooks and Sybai. The business is owned and run by fly anglers and fly tyers, according to its own presentation.

The Scottie brand: from Sharpes of Aberdeen to Huntingdon

The Scottie name first appeared in the 1930s on fishing products manufactured in Scotland by Sharpes of Aberdeen, including split cane rods. It became associated with British-made fly fishing products such as fly reels and split cane rods. Scottie split cane rods remained in production until 2010, when S & J Tackle, which had taken on the business, ceased trading.

In 2014 Peter Waterhouse took over the business and relocated production to Huntingdon. In early 2015 a limited number of carbon fibre rods were manufactured, and a range of Scottie split cane rods is available built to order. The development and manufacture of the Scottie fly tying vices continues in the Huntingdon workshop, with new UK-made accessories added regularly. The Scottie brand also appears on fly tying tools and materials selected and specified for the brand.

Fly tying vices and the MKIV “Westie”

The Scottie fly tying vice was launched in the 1970s and won a Design Council award for its simple design and use of materials. Since then it has remained in production and is described as a favourite with both professional and hobby tyers. The latest MKIV model, made in stainless steel and nicknamed the “Westie”, is presented on the site. The company states that all Scottie vices are made in the UK and carry a lifetime warranty, and that its range of vices is intended to suit every tyer's style and budget.

Materials, hooks and brands distributed in the UK

Scottie Products has partnered with internationally recognised brands to offer tying materials and hooks. Its key partners range from UK engineering companies producing components for its vices to a leading surgical instrument manufacturer in Pakistan that produces the Scottie tying scissors, as well as selected suppliers from China, Europe and America.

• Grip Hooks: Scottie Products is the sole UK importer. The range includes over 40 patterns designed for different aspects of fly fishing, with barbless patterns made from Japanese wire. A barbless saltwater pattern for tying Bonefish flies was developed in conjunction with organisations promoting the sport.
• Sybai: Scottie Products is the UK importer for SYBAI Tackle s.r.o., described as one of the world's largest producers of tying materials and accessories. The company offers a wide range of Sybai materials, own-brand materials for retailers to order and bulk packs for production tying.
• Chevron Hackles: listed among the products offered on the site.

Natural and synthetic materials for fly tying

The company explains that traditional fly tying relied on natural materials such as fur and feather, still used to imitate the life stages of the ephemera for trout anglers as well as for lures and wet flies. Today these materials are harvested as by-products of other activities or specially sourced from ethical producers, then prepared, dyed and packaged using specialist machinery and modern non-toxic dyes. Because natural materials vary, selection of the best is presented as essential, with brand partners helping to give customers confidence when buying.

Synthetic materials have become an important part of fly tying. Blended dubbings, small quantities of mylar and ultraviolet fibres are mixed with natural furs and guard hairs, while 100% synthetic materials can be used as dubbing or long hairs. These products add mobility, a wide range of colours including ultraviolet shades, photoluminescence and reflective qualities or “flash”. Their weight and water repellence are highlighted as useful for large flies used in pike fishing on the fly and saltwater fly fishing.

Wholesale, stockists and customer approach

Scottie Products welcomes wholesale enquiries and supplies own-brand materials and bulk packs for retailers. The site includes a stockists section and a blog, and invites customers to send an enquiry if they cannot find a product. The company presents itself as putting the customer at the heart of its business and states that it sources the best materials so that tyers' skill and time are not wasted.