Lone Bison “The Heritage” Fly Tying Table
Kirk Deeter
December 15, 2024
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The Lone Bison fly tying table (“The Heritage”) is really a “station” that works just as well as a transportable base for tying or a surface-top organizer. It’s more than a tray, but not as bulky as a full-on table with legs. And it’s a classy, handmade work of wooden art.
I’ve had one for just over two years, and I’m still tinkering to figure out my best system, but am liking it more and more. The cool thing is that The Heritage offers a lot of flexibility for fly tyers–notorious for having their own preferences regarding the layout of their work spaces.
I tie on a Renzetti travel vise with a solid base, so I appreciate that this table has a detachable bottle bar and tool station which allows me to clear the decks. I still have a couple dozen holes to drop tools in, four posts for hanging spools of thread and larger slots for keeping cement and finished flies in place. Because I consider myself a hobbyist fly tyer who ties more for practical purposes than for the pursuit of art, I don’t work with a ton of ingredients at any one time. I focus on a couple dozen patterns, and probably spend at least half of my time tying four of them: Parachute Adams, Zebra Midges, Woolly Buggers and Pheasant Tail Nymphs (get 20% off all flies at the Madison River Fishing Company with a Flylab membership).
I tie on an antique roll-top desk when I’m home, and The Heritage table provides a nice base that protects the roll-top. I love the flexibility this table provides if I want to pick up shop and position in another spot (like when I want to watch the ball game out of the corner of my eye). And I like the ability to take a fly tying base when I travel to the family cabin. Matched with a Fishpond Tailwater Fly Tying Kit, I can literally tie on the fly, anywhere.
It’s beautifully finished and comes in at $335, a legitimate investment, so you want to be careful to take care of your handcrafted table.
Pros
Attractive, handcrafted product that accentuates, and organizes, any fly tyer’s desk/station.
Versatility allows the tyer to customize the layout of tools and organization.
Portability allows you to take it on the go, but it also works as a home base.
Cons
If you’re a sloppy tyer who just wants a durable mat for catching spills and leftover materials, this isn’t it.
“Lefties” have to be sure to order the left-handed version, which is available, because the base model is clearly for “righties”.
It costs more than most vises, but for a dedicated tyer, it’s worth it.
At $335, it all depends on what kind of fly tyer you are. If you’re an organizer, if you consider your tying bench to be a special place, if you sometimes tie away from home base–this table is a good value. If you just want a dropcloth/placemat, use a dropcloth, old issues magazines and newspapers or a glass table cover.
- Price: $335
- Dimensions: 12-inches wide, 20-inches long
- Pieces: modular and magnetic
- Versatility: Left-handed, right-handed models available
- Warranty information: Lone Bison warranty
Fly tyer Svenddiesel unboxes the Lone Bison “Heritage” fly tying table:
“We offer a limited warranty on all products. Products damaged in shipping are replaceable at the discretion of Lone Bison Fly Tables. Contact me with any concerns you may have.”
I bought this on a whim at a fly-fishing show in Texas a couple years ago, and it took a few months for me to adapt and work this into my fly-tying station and system. Once I got organized, it became “home base” and now I wouldn’t want to tie without it.
Granted, at $335, it’s a nice piece of handcrafted furniture. Can you find less expensive alternatives to serve as a tying station and organizer? Sure. But if you consider fly tying an art, and a tying bench is a special place, this is a good buy.
It’s versatile, functional and beautiful.
Find the Lone Bison “Heritage” fly tying table direct:
10% off all Lone Bison products with a Flylab membership.
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