Fly Tyer Spotlight: Hernán Tula

Fly Tyer Spotlight:

Hernán Tula - Lord of the Jungle Fly!

Meet Hernan Tula, an avid angler whose love for fishing began on family camping trips to the rivers of Buenos Aires. Starting with basic gear, he developed a fascination for crafting lures. Inspired by fly fishing, Hernan transitioned to making flies, eventually working in a fly shop where he honed his skills. Now a dedicated fly-tier, he finds joy in seeing his creations catch remarkable fish, including Tucunare and dorado in the Amazon. Grateful for the journey, Hernan appreciates the meaningful moments fly tying brings to his life.

By THE EDITORIAL STAFF

Full name: Hernán Tula

Home country: Argentina (próximamente España)

SoMe: www.instagram.com/ hernan.tula

How did you get into fly tying?

Since childhood, my family and I regularly camped by the river in the beautiful Buenos Aires locale known as Tigre. Those days spent along the river are etched in my memory as my first interactions with fish. Our fishing approach was simple, utilizing natural colihue rods—South American relatives of Bamboo— paired with a small hook baited with worms or caterpillars, and a modest float typically crafted from cork. During those times, we caught small Bagres (catfish) and Mojarras (a small bait fish common in the Argentine delta). The intriguing lures I observed in fellow fishermen’s boxes during our shared days piqued my interest. In adolescence, I embarked on crafting my own wooden lures, an endeavor that brought me much amusement. This led me to delve into the world of sport fishing through magazines, marking my first visual encounter with fly fishing and its distinctive rods, thread guides, and vibrant lines.

My admiration for fishing deepened, particularly for Dorado (Salminus Maxillosus) and wolffish (Tararira) —two spectacular predatory fish found in the Argentine delta and Río de la Plata basin. Capturing these species with artificial lures became a common and immensely sporty pursuit. The Dorado, often referred to as the Tiger of the river in South America, stands out for its fierceness, power, and beautiful yellow hue. On the other hand, the Tararira resembles a creature from the Cretaceous period, boasting teeth even down to its palate, a tubular physiognomy, and a powerful tail facilitating swift starts during prey pursuit.

In the ‘90s, on a Tararira-fishing expedition, we discovered an extensive network of lagoons in the south of Greater Buenos Aires called Kakel Huincul. There, we encountered a group of fly fishermen, exposing me for the first time to their equipment and incredible creations using feathers and other materials. Intrigued, I began purchasing books and magazines, eventually crafting my first vise from an old pair of pliers.

This marked a shift from lure making to creating my initial flies, using whatever materials I could find. With my first job, I frequented fly shops, amassing materials and literature to fashion my first fly-fishing arsenal.

It took considerable time before I decided to invest in proper equipment. Until then, I spent years tying monstrous flies, envisioning the day I would use them for fishing. As the years passed, almost serendipitously, I found myself working in a renowned fly shop in my country. Learning from seasoned fishermen, I gradually honed my fly-tying skills.

This journey culminated in selling my flies at the shop, eventually prompting me to leave my job and fully dedicate myself to the art of fly tying.

“Witnessing the incredible fish caught with my flies felt surreal”

Witnessing the incredible fish caught with my flies felt surreal, transporting me to distant places, especially when creating flies for Tucunare, the captivating Amazonian fish dwelling in dense jungles. Despite the passage of time, my love for fly tying endures, bringing continuous joy and gratitude for the opportunity to dedicate myself to what I love.

What is it about fly tying that you like so much?

I think the most beautiful thing about tying flies is the infinite possibilities in this world.

There are no limits to making a good assembly, especially when we open our minds to unconventional materials found everywhere. The key is to keep an open mind when exploring materials, even in DIY stores.

What kind of flies do you most enjoy tying and why?

It is difficult to choose one type of fly that I like more than another. I enjoy the challenge of making realistic or semi-realistic flies, such as Cicadas, big cockroaches, or grasshoppers. Achieving a balance between cuteness and effectiveness in these patterns is particularly fulfilling.

What are the most important/determining factors when you design a new fly pattern?

I believe that the balance is crucial in the design of our flies. Achieving balance in the dosage of materials, volume, weight, and the simplicity of our deception is key to creating effective and enticing patterns.

What’s your all-time favourite fly and why?

My favorite fly of all time is Enrico Puglisi’s Peanut Butter. Its simplicity and the possibility of imitating baitfish just by varying the colors make it wonderful. I love making them and always strive to polish and improve the technique with each one I tie.

Are there any specific fly tyers that have influenced and inspired you over the years?

I have several references in terms of fly tying, but without a doubt, my great inspirer is Dron Lee (@dron_lee). His creations are wonderful and extremely creative, opening your mind when you see his flies.

There are several more like, for instance, Drew Chicone (@drchicone) and Ru Harvey (@rupertharveyflies) who are really creative fly tyers.

What is special about fly tying and fly fishing in your parts of the world?

In my opinion, the special thing about this fishing technique is the variety of species that can be achieved with a fly and the large number of prey items that can be imitated. In Argentina and South America, fly fishing is booming, drawing more people, whether for refining casting techniques, pursuing salmon, or just for simple fun. Despite environmental challenges, the diversity of species and their great sporting value make this region one of the dream destinations for any fisherman.