What Are You Tying?

[duckydoty]

The same fly that has been in there for about a month.

I'm never ready to go. Hey Duane, can I borrow your fly box for a second???

DD'sMC finally found where I was hiding my real flybox. It's not so full anymore She is getting even for all the times I borrowed hers

[MaxDrown]

Slightly off-topic, can you recommend a kit or supplies for the first time fly tier?

[Danoinark]

Slightly off-topic, can you recommend a kit or supplies for the first time fly tier?

Max

I never recommend buying the kits. Seems there are always materials in them you will never need.

I suggest learning one pattern at a time.

A good set of tools are important and those can be bought in kits.

I suggest after you get the tools, go by a fly shop or visit a friend that ties, maybe join a fly fishing club. All will have competent tiers and will teach you the fly you are interested in. Learn one fly at a time. Decide which one you want to learn first and only buy the materials necessary for that fly. Its amazing how quickly you will accumulate fly tying materials.

Dano

[MaxDrown]

Which tools do I need to get started?

[Danoinark]

Which tools do I need to get started?

Max,

A good vise is the first thing. There are hundreds of styles and types and all come with a range of price tags. For my first vise I would keep it simple. A good cam vise or something like a Thompson AA would be appropriate. The big box outdoor sports stores sell tool kits that have all the necessary hardware including the vise. You can check them out at Cabelas or Bass Pro. Some of the fly shops may also carry the tool kits. I prefer to shop at the local fly shops so you can get a handle on how the tools operate and get good instruction from the store associates.

Next

1. Scissors. Get a good sharp pair styled for fly tying. I like the curved tip.

2. A couple of thread bobbins

3. A small whip finisher or learn to tie a half hitch by hand.

Those are the basics, but there are other sundry items that you will just HAVE to have after you get further involved.

Dano

[Danoinark]

Max

Forgot that you will see fly recipes that say use head cement. You would also need to pick some up. I use clear Sally Hansen Hard As Nails instead of the kind designed for fly tying.

Dano

[ness]

Good info Dano has there.

I started out with a kit, and I've still got most of the tools and materials. Tools don't get used, materials are down in the bottom of the box somewhere. I do use the rib from the cheap Indian hackle as antennae on a couple patterns.

Anyhoo -- the vice, bobbin and scissors are the three tools you have to have. I started out with a Thompson AA, but graduated to a Renzetti Traveler after a couple years. I've only got the cheap brass and wire bobbins -- I've never felt like I needed to upgrade. I tried several scissors but have settled on Wiss Clip. The never leave my hand when tying, thanks to the ring finger rig. They have replaceable blades, but they've gotten fairly cheap so I just pitch them now.

Like Danno said, get with a friend or take a class. Pick a fairly easy pattern (like a mohair leech, woolly bugger, Copper John), learn it and go from there. I've got an old book by Eric Leiser that teaches the basics of each style of fly (dry, wet, nymph, streamer). It's dated, but still good material.

[MaxDrown]

Great information! Thanks! Excited to get started.

[Danoinark]

Dano, I superglued a tiny loop of rubber band to one end.

insert a loop of your leader through the loop of rubber band, then pass the indicator through the loop of leader material...then pull on the leader. To adjust just coax some slack into the rubber loop, and slide it.

Hard to describe, but easy to do.

Thanks, worthy of a try.

Dano

[Buzz]

Here is a great site for beginner fly tier's. It helped me a bunch when I really got into tying and I'm no where near good enough yet.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/