About Us

Tiewell was founded in 1994 by well known Australian flytying enthusiast Alan Barber.

Alan built Tiewell into one of the great sources of flytying materials for Australia’s fly fishing stores and commercial fly tiers. He was not just interested in selling materials. He was obsessed with making them better, more useful and more varied for modern fly tiers.

Like flytying itself, Alan’s approach to materials was all about detail. Colour, shade, texture, movement, durability and style all mattered. If a fly tier wanted it, Alan was usually already thinking about how to make it.

That curiosity led Tiewell into some of Australia’s most distinctive locally developed tying materials, including Fuzzle Dub and BMS Blend, created with respected Australian fly tier Muz Wilson. These materials, along with products like Weed Dub, are still part of what makes Tiewell different today.

Tiewell also remains proud of its uniquely Australian materials. Possum fur, kangaroo fur and possum dubbing have long played a part in Australian flytying, from traditional trout patterns like the Tom Jones to modern nymphs, dries and streamers. These materials are produced in Australia by Tiewell and give fly tiers access to textures and colours that are genuinely tied to our own fishing history.

A lot has changed since 1994. The economics of producing handmade materials locally are not what they once were, so the range of Australian made materials has been refined over time. But the best of Alan’s work lives on. The unique materials developed with some of Australia’s most respected and inventive fly tiers remain an important part of the Tiewell range.

Building on that foundation, Tiewell now also brings together a carefully selected mix of quality flytying brands, including Ahrex Fly Hooks, High and Dry Floatants, and Stonfo flytying tools, vices and materials.

The aim is simple. To give Australian fly tiers access to reliable, high quality materials and tools at fair prices.

When you shop with Tiewell, you are supporting an Australian family business with a long history in flytying. More importantly, you are supporting a business that remains committed to the growth of fly fishing and flytying in Australia.