Last week’s fly tying night at Shellring Ale Works was one for the books! We packed the house with a great crowd of tiers—seasoned anglers and newcomers alike—all gathered around pints and vises to tie the Strong Arm Merkin, a go-to pattern for targeting redfish in our Lowcountry waters.

The best part? The pattern choice came straight from you—our community. We put it out to a vote on Instagram, and the Strong Arm Merkin came out on top. It was awesome to see so many of you engage and help shape the night. This fly has earned its reputation for good reason, and it was a perfect choice for the group.

Mason led his first-ever “Taps & Ties”, and he absolutely crushed it. He walked everyone through each step of the pattern—from laying down the thread base to positioning those signature claw tips. His passion and attention to detail made it easy for everyone to follow along, whether it was their first fly or their hundredth.

We had our biggest turnout yet, with people around every inch of table space. There was a real buzz in the air—stories were swapped and materials shared. The combination of community, creativity, and craft beer made for a night that reminded us why we love doing this.

Huge thanks to everyone who came out, to those who voted on the pattern, and of course to Mason for stepping up and leading the charge. We’re already looking forward to next month—so keep an eye on Instagram, because your voice might just pick the next pattern, too.