What it is
The Hareline Stonfo Transformer is a fly tying vise built around a stainless steel in-line rotary shaft running on dual ball bearings. It rotates smoothly with adjustable rotary tension, and you can lock the vise at any angle. It sits on a stable pedestal base and can be reversed for left-handed tying.
What to tie with it
This is an all-around bench vise for day-to-day tying, from small trout flies up through larger streamer work. The in-line full rotary setup is made for techniques where you spin the hook to wrap materials cleanly and inspect your fly from every side, and the quick-coupling system keeps adjustments and changeovers fast. It also adapts well to tube fly tying, and the interchangeable jaw sets and accessories let you cover most hook and tube sizes you’re likely to tie.
Flies and the fish they're for
A vise like this is right at home tying sea trout patterns for coastal sea-run trout, where you’re often tying slim baitfish and shrimp-style flies and want smooth, controlled rotation to keep everything tracking straight. It also has the holding power and stability for big pike flies, the kind you throw for northern pike in lakes and weedy backwaters where larger profiles and heavier materials are common. With its tube-fly capability, it’s a solid platform for tube-style streamer patterns used for species like salmon and steelhead in rivers where tubes are popular for durability and hook rigging flexibility.