Ben Whalley
I’ve noticed the fly tying of Ben for a long time on Instagram. So I sent him a message to get a little information on his background. I have included some photos of some of the wonderful flies that Ben ties down below. If you would like to follow ben, go to his Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/bwhally/
-Paul
Written by Ben Whalley:
“My total obsession with fishing started when I was 3yo, my 1st memory, catching a barracuda on a Mickey rod Xmas day, something changed that morning and has continued to grow ever since. By the age of 9-10 my Dad taught me the basics of flyfishing and set me up with a vise and tying materials. I spent most of my youth in Brasil where my family helped start/run a ranch for abused and abandoned street children. It was there that I continued tying flies to imitate berries to fool our local population of Pacu, exploring local rivers for traira (wolf fish), and scavenging our farm for feathers and hair to spin up. It was quite the childhood exploring tropical waters in search of fish that now I see in fly fishing magazines.
I moved back stateside to Maine in the early 2000’s and was turned onto the amazing wild brook trout and salmon fishery Maine is known for. While attending University my obsession intensified and became more of a way of life. Meanwhile, I discovered stripers on the fly and my brain physiologically changed. I focused every second I could on efforts towards better understanding what makes them tick. I consider myself a lifelong learner which is why fly fishing and fly tying continues to push me to be the best fisherman I can be. I enjoy trying to tweak existing striper patterns and innovate new ones to better elicit a strike.
Bob Popovics and his Fleye designs continue to have a tremendous influence on my style and techniques of tying. I’m a sucker for naturals and bucktail in particular.
I began guiding part-time for trout in western Maine and doing wade trips for stripers in 2014. I love sharing my passion for all things flyfishing, especially stripers, and conservation; all while meeting great people from all walks of life. I spend most of my time now fishing and poling the flats searching for cruising stripers and head south to FL any chance I can get to visit family and pursue tarpon in the Keys.”
