Lake Michigan isn’t just where I live; it’s where I learned to see. Every morning, before the school bus arrives, I’m out on the shoreline studying the hatch, skipping stones, and watching how the lake changes with every gust of wind. I started Ferris Fly Co. because I wanted to make something genuine. Tying a fly isn't just about thread and feathers; it's about translating the language of the water into something a fish can't resist. My kitchen table is the vise station, and the lake is my laboratory.
People often ask how an eleven-year-old knows so much about entomology and hatch patterns. For me, it’s about respect. If you want to catch a brown trout in a spring creek or a salmon in the big water, you have to respect what they eat. I spend my afternoons hunting for driftwood pieces perfect for taxidermy mounts and watching the migration patterns of ducks, noting how the seasons change the water. That specific, local Lake Michigan knowledge is tied into every single fly that leaves my hands and enters your box.
I don’t tie flies for display cases or trophy rooms. I tie them to be fished. I believe that craft gear shouldn’t be elitist—premium equipment should be used. Whether you’re a lifelong angler or picking up a rod for the first time, my flies are designed to be approachable, affordable, and effective. From the classic Elk Hair Caddis to custom Lake Michigan streamers, these are Wisconsin-made tools for the trade, tied by hand and meant to be fished by anyone waiting for that next rise.
Behind the Vise
Ferris at work tying custom flies and foraging along the Wisconsin shoreline
Ferris at the vise, Lake Michigan studio.
The Elk Hair Caddis, tied for local hatches.
Sourcing only the finest materials for every pattern.
The shoreline that inspires the brand.