Threads, Yarns, Chenille, Hooks - What To Buy?

[brittsnbirds]

DaddyO-

You definitely have the bug. Just wait, you tie up one of your new flies, go down to the trout hole and WHAM you hook one. That probably was one of the most rewarding feelings that I had when I started. It is a confidence builder for sure.

The next time it comes is when you see a fly that a guy is hammering the trout on. You go back to the truck and pull out your stuff and try to replicate what you saw. Then you run back down and WHAM, again that feeling is great. The fact that you were able to produce something from sight.

Probably the biggest thing that I would suggest is "organization". Eventually you will have so much stuff that you will forget what you have. The other thing is make a shopping list as you tie so that you do not double purchase. Just remember to take the list with you.

And what Jeremy said about the TMC SP-BL (super point barbless) hooks is right on. They are the best, but that is my opinion.

Did not see what part of the state you are from. If you are around KCMO there are several fly shops that will actually tutor you. Matt at Rainbow Fly Shop in Independence MO is one as well as Wanda at the Bass Pro Shop. Most of the guys at Cabela's in KCK will also help, as well as K&K Fly Shop in Lenexa Ks. All of these shops have helped me from time to time. Plus this site (thanks Phil) is the best.

My wife bought me "The Fly-Tiers Bench Side Reference" book a few months back. The book is a little pricey but I wished I would have got it several years ago. It will show you just about any technique to fly tying that you would ever need. Here is a link to it at Amazon; www.amazon.com/Fly-Tiers-Benchside-Reference/dp/1571881263 - 313k.

Good luck on your new quest.

Pat

[BadKarma]

All of the above replies are spot on. Here's the only thing I can add:

Look around at your local shops and see if someone offers a tying class. Just a little better explanation of some techniques can go a long way to jump starting your tying. Shannon from River Run got me started some years ago. Almost like a Crack Dealer!!!!!!!!

Lee

[B-unit]

I found the Fly Angler's OnLine website to be quite helpful in expanding my repertoire of patterns and techniques as a beginning/ intermediate tyer. I don't really care for how they've set up their website with sidebars and windows but nonetheless, the way the information is grouped into sections for beginner, intermediate, and advanced tyers (demonstrating particular skills and the patterns to use them with) seems very intuitive, i.e., starting with simpler flies and basic techniques and building from there.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/

As far as materials and tools are concerned, I'd choose some particular patterns that you think you'd like to tie and fish that are oriented for the beginning tyer and work on those first. It's definitely safer on the pocketbook to approach gathering materials as if you were going to the grocery store with the intent of getting just the ingredients for a particular recipe or two as opposed to trying to fill your cart with a general collection of ingredients that you may or may not use for whatever you may be cooking in the future. Things like dry fly necks are wicked expensive and you definitely can't just grab an "assortment" of those and hope for the best.

Just one other thing that I've found helpful... Craig at Hargrove's once told me that "hooks aren't cheap" and there's really no reason to have a pile of flies on your desk that you're never going to fish because you're displeased with how they've turned out. Grab a razor, scrape that gangly fly off of the hook and tie it again until it turns out the way you want... why waste a hook?

Have fun with tying. Fooling a fish with something you created (especially if it's your own recipe) is a real kick.

[Gavin]

Best bet is to pick up some materials for the flies you want to tie..

Some really easy patterns to start with

Zebra Midges

Trout Crack

Soft Hackles

Wolly Buggers

Marabou Streamers

After you master those move on to more difficult stuff...

Dont know where you are located, but if your in St. Louis, Chris at Hargrove's offers an evening fly tying class..Ozark Fly Fishers teaches some as well..Check the out the class schedule at www.ozarkflyfishers.org for the intro to fly tying and intermediate fly tying course. Both run for four weeks and they usually kick off in January or February. Other Fly Fishing clubs around the state offer classes as well. Cheers.

[DaddyO]

Wow, guys. Thanks for all of the advice. I'm like a sponge soaking it all in.

I live in the Tulsa, OK area and we are Fly Shop poor. I may have to go it alone, using all the info that you guys have shared. I'll hit those websites and books that you guys have recommended.

Thanks, Again!

[Gavin]

Heres a link to a Fly fishing club in Tulsa...Looks like they are having a fly tying meeting on January 8th...

http://tulsaflyfishers.org/calendar.html

Might be worth your while. Cheers.

[McManus]

Feller, by the name of Phil Lilley has a fly shop. If you tell him what you're fishing for, he'll guide you with flies to tie, materials, and the proper equipment.

You're just beginning a terrific passtime.

[Greg]

You've gotten a lot of good advice. One other thing to maybe consider since you have a vice and all the tools is one of those "tie a fly kits". I steered a friend to those and they worked great for him. You get all the materials to make several flies of the same pattern. That way you are not buying stuff you don't need at first and you hone your skills through repitition. If you go that route starting out with a wooley bugger would be a great choice. Here's a link:

http://www.tie-a-fly.com/shop.htm

Greg