Tip: Use Steam to Revive Beat Up Flies

Restoring mashed flies to their original operating condition is as simple as boiling water. Just put a teakettle on, and crank up the heat to produce a healthy jet of steam. Grip a fly at the hook bend in a pair of pliers and hold it in the vapor stream, rotating slowly so that the mist penetrates wings, tails, and hackles. Heat and moisture will relax the kinks, massage out the crimps, and return the fly into fishable shape. When it looks refreshed, shake off excess moisture and lay it on a paper towel to dry. –TED LEESON