Blane Chocklett’s “Game Changer” Book Review
This review of “Game Changer: Tying Flies that Look and Swim Like the Real Thing” by Blane Chocklett will dive deeper into a fly that’s become a modern classic. I’ve fished Game Changers plenty of times and always knew they worked — but I wanted to understand why. I picked up the book not just to improve my tying, but to get inside the mind of the guy who created one of the most influential streamer patterns in recent memory.
Whether you’re brand new to fly tying or have been at the bench for years, this book has something for you. It’s loaded with rich visuals, thoughtful design, and step-by-step detail that walks you through everything from theory to technique. It’s more than just a tying manual — it’s a beautifully made guide to one of the most versatile and effective flies out there.
In this review, we’ll talk about the author himself, the good things about the book, and add on some game-changing tips I learned from reading it.
First of All: What is a Game Changer Fly?
If you’ve spent any time around modern streamer fishing, you’ve probably heard the name “Game Changer.” But if you haven’t — here’s the short version: the Game Changer is an articulated streamer pattern designed by Blane Chocklett that changed how many of us think about fly movement. Built on a spine of multiple shanks, it swims with an incredibly lifelike, serpentine action that few other flies can match.
What makes it so effective is its ability to imitate the natural movement of baitfish in a way that standard single-jointed or traditional streamers simply can’t. Instead of relying on strip speed or water current to create motion, the Game Changer comes to life the second it hits the water. Whether you’re targeting bass, trout, musky, or saltwater species, this fly has proven itself again and again as a go-to for triggering predatory strikes.
It’s not the easiest pattern to tie — especially for beginners — but it’s one of the most rewarding. Once you understand how it works, the possibilities are nearly endless. And that’s exactly what Game Changer the book sets out to teach.
About the Author: Blane Chocklett
Blane Chocklett is one of the most influential fly tyers and innovators in modern fly fishing. With decades of experience guiding, tying, and designing flies, he’s best known as the creator of the Game Changer — a revolutionary articulated streamer that’s changed how many anglers approach predator fishing. His influence stretches across the industry, from his work with fly design companies to his appearances on countless YouTube videos, where he’s become a familiar face to anyone even loosely interested in catching fish on the fly.
What sets Blane apart is his willingness to challenge fly fishing tradition. He doesn’t tie for purists — he ties to catch fish. While some may raise an eyebrow at his use of synthetic materials or the blurred lines between flies and lures, Blane has never been interested in gatekeeping. His focus is on function, movement, and realism — all in service of helping anglers become more effective on the water. His dedication to the craft, and to sharing it with others, is what makes his voice so compelling in the fly tying world.
What is Game Changer About?
Building the Foundation: More Than Just a Tying Manual
At its core, Game Changer is a high-quality fly tying manual — but it’s also much more than that. The book breaks down each pattern into its own chapter, following a consistent and thoughtful structure: it introduces the fly, explains how and why it was created, describes when and how to fish it, and provides a detailed tying guide to help you replicate it at the bench.
Every chapter consists of crisp, high-resolution photos that walk you through each step, like a perfectly paused YouTube tutorial. It’s the kind of book that stays open on your tying table, not closed on your bookshelf.
Chocklett opens with a section titled The Game Changer Platform, which sets the stage for everything else. He explains the core design principles behind the fly — articulation, segmentation, material layering — and how understanding this “platform” gives you the freedom to innovate. It’s not just about copying what’s on the page; it’s about learning a system you can build on. That foundation makes the rest of the book feel empowering, not overwhelming.
Blurring the Lines and Triggering Strikes
While the Game Changer variations are the star of the show, the book branches into some unconventional territory — including patterns like the Flypala and Gummy Spoon Minnow. These aren’t your grandpa’s flies. They use synthetic materials, foam, and other components that might make traditionalists raise an eyebrow, but there’s no arguing with their effectiveness. Chocklett leans into these designs with zero hesitation, showing that the goal isn’t to win style points or uphold the “purist” tradition- it’s to catch fish.
Along the way, he sprinkles in observations about predatory fish behavior — why these patterns trigger aggressive strikes, and how to fish them for maximum effect. It’s not a deep academic dive, but it strikes a great balance between technical instruction and real-world application.
Chocklett’s philosophy is clear: innovate, adapt, and do what works. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced tyer, Game Changer offers both the tools and the mindset to expand your tying and fishing game.
Game Changer Book Review
What the Book Does Well
Blane Chocklett’s Game Changer is the kind of book that delivers clarity, depth, and inspiration all in one. What stood out to me right away was how clearly he communicates the “why” behind the fly. He doesn’t just walk you through how to tie a Game Changer — he explains how it moves, why that movement matters, and how to build it efficiently without getting lost in the weeds. That kind of insight helped me see the fly in a whole new way.
The visuals are a huge part of what makes it so effective. Every pattern includes step-by-step photography that’s clean, intentional, and incredibly helpful — especially for someone like me who’s spent a lot of time pausing and rewinding YouTube tutorials. I really appreciated having still images I could study and reference at my own pace.
What I also loved is how much Chocklett encourages creativity. There’s no rigid formula or single “right” way to tie these flies. Instead, he gives you a structure — a repeatable platform — and invites you to take it in whatever direction you want. That message really resonated with me. It’s the kind of mindset that makes tying fun and opens up endless possibilities at the vise.
And lastly, the layout of the book itself deserves credit. It’s clean, organized, and incredibly easy to follow. Whether you’re brand new to fly tying or have years of experience, it delivers practical knowledge in a way that’s approachable and confidence-building.
Who This Book is For — and Why It’s Worth It
What Game Changer offers is a deeper understanding of what makes these flies so effective. For me personally, it helped shift my mindset — from copying steps on a screen to truly understanding how the pattern works, how to modify it, and how to make it my own. That shift alone makes the book worth it.
I recommend this book to any angler who wants to level up their fly tying game — especially those already intrigued by the Game Changer platform. It’s also a fantastic gift for a fly tyer who likes to tinker, experiment, and learn. Even if you’re not sitting down to tie, flipping through the pages and admiring the photography is a rewarding experience in itself.
One Small Knock: The Price
The only real drawback is the price. It’s definitely not a bargain-bin pickup — and when you first see the cost, it might feel a little steep for a fly tying book. Honestly, it gave me flashbacks to buying college textbooks. But that comparison isn’t far off. This is a textbook in the best sense of the word — a technical manual, a deep dive, a long-term reference. If you’re just dabbling in articulated flies, you might be fine sticking with free online tutorials. But if you want to improve your Game Changers or want to understand the design philosophy behind them, this book more than earns its price tag.
Game Changer Tips
Here are a few key lessons I took away from Blane Chocklett’s Game Changer that have already improved how I tie and fish these flies:
Start with a Solid Foundation
The articulation shank system is what gives Game Changers their trademark serpentine action. Everything builds off that spine — once you understand how to structure it properly, the rest becomes more intuitive. This was the biggest unlock for me.
Mix up the number of shanks and their lengths. You can make these things small, long, or somewhere in between. As long as they’re moving freely, you’re in the game.
Materials Are Flexible — Not Fixed
Chocklett shows that you don’t need to stick with pre-packaged body chenilles or specific synthetics. Once you understand the construction, you can use just about any material to build out your own version. That opened the door for a lot more creativity at the vise.
To make Game Changers, you can use pretty much anything you’d like. Feathers, chenilles, craft fur, bucktail, and dubbing brushes are all common materials that make these flies dance and wiggle. Explore which works best for you. I’ve found that chenilles and longer dubbing materials are more efficient to tie and give a great action in the water.
Recently, I ran out of my go-to Finesse Chenille that I typically use for Game Changers. But, partly in thanks to this book, I was able to create an effective fly using materials I had on hand- Polar Chenille and Laser Dubbing.
Not only did the new materials give the fly a different look, it was actually a little bit easier to tie. That’s one thing that stood out when exploring these different materials- you can achieve the same action through different ways. While Blane Chockett’s Game Changer is kind of like a textbook- it doesn’t need to be followed exactly.
This just reinforces the point that you can get creative when tying these flies, all depending on what you want and what you have on hand.
Let the Shanks Move
Before reading the book, I was crowding the articulation points with too much material — which ended up choking the action. One of the most helpful things I learned was how to tie materials in tightly while still giving each shank room to move. That freedom of movement is key to getting the swim just right.
Don’t Skimp on the Head
I had underestimated how important head construction was. Chocklett makes it clear that the head acts like a water-dam — it’s what drives the rest of the fly’s motion. You need a compact, dense head that pushes water and sets up the body to do its thing. Now I make a point to build the head up more intentionally and with purpose.
When you’re tying these, make sure you take your time with the head design. It matters more on the water than you think!
Conclusion
Blane Chocklett’s Game Changer is more than just a fly tying book — it’s a deep dive into one of the most innovative patterns in modern fly fishing. It gave me a better understanding of how Game Changers work, how to tie them more effectively, and, most importantly, how to make them my own. From the clear visuals to the thoughtful structure, this book delivers on every level.
It’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny if you’re serious about learning the craft behind these flies. Whether you’re just getting into articulated streamers or looking to level up your tying, Game Changer belongs on your bench. It’s informative, inspiring, and just plain fun to flip through. If you’re ready to move past copying recipes and start building flies with intention, this book is a game changer in every sense of the word.
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