I recently placed an order for cheap discount flies from an online vendor, Flydealflies.com otherwise known as Fly Deals Express. I wanted to try a variety of fly patterns on a budget. I am not sponsored by any fly fishing brand or any company for that matter. The intent of this post is purely informational for the reader.
Fly fishing is a sport that can seem to have a large barrier to entry. Recent changes in the sport has reduced that barrier to entry with many functional entry level fly rods and reels available on the market. However, when it comes to cheap discount flies there is less information available.
While there is something to be said for quality handmade flies, there is also something to be said for accessibility. Flies from many retailers and local fly shops often range from $2.00 to – $4.00 per fly minimum. The cost of these flies can quickly add up when selecting multiples of patterns, or trying different sizes and patterns.
For fly anglers trying to test various patterns or who may find themselves losing flies, this can become hard to stomach.
My intent with purchasing discount flies is not to completely disregard the value of local fly shops and small businesses. Rather I use cheap discount flies to provide a large base and variety of flies to fish with and a small cost to entry.
When fishing specific waterways I always try and buy a few flies based on a local fly shops recommendations. However, I like many intermediate fly anglers am not immune to snags. A cheap discount fly in the $00.50-1.00 range is easier to stomach losing more regularly than $3.00 flies. This also encourages me to take a little more risk in my fishing, fishing tighter spots than I might otherwise.
The reality with most cheap discount flies on the market today is that they are made overseas. Oftentimes these flies are made in African countries like Kenya. These flies are generally available for ¢50 to $1.50 per fly in 2026 depending on the model.
I believe there is a place for cheap discount flies for many anglers who want to optimize their ability to get on the water. As I see it, with proper education and awareness more anglers should translate to more conservationists and advocates for our waterways.
Fly Deal Express
Ordering off the website was pretty easy. Fly Deal Express offers a variety of patterns and even package deals based on species or style of fly fishing. The package came reasonably quick within about 10-12 days after ordering. Fly deal express provided tracking information. Here are the flies I ordered and some quick notes for your use.
On initial expectation the quality seems to be decent for the price. There are some inconsistencies with ribbing and dubbing. But the flies seem structurally sound enough to fish with and are not falling apart. The stone fly patterns were the cheapest looking and feeling flies. They are also a larger pattern that I will likely not fish often.
Additionally, the Fish-Skull super bugger pattern streamers are an interesting pattern with a weighted head. While perhaps a little more animated looking than many traditionally tied streamers I am interested in how this pattern will fish.
I will follow up with an alternate post or update this post after continued testing of these flies on the water.
