Buying Flies and other equipment

[rookie]

I'm new to flyfishing, I can search all day on the internet for flies and other equipment but without seeing with my own eyes who knows. So, until I get to the point of tying my own flies, is there a good place on-line to buy flies at reasonable prices.

I am down in the southeast corner of Missouri and there are no local flyshops, so without making a trip to St. Louis, on-line is the easiest.

When I do get to the point of tying, where do I start?

Thanks

[tippet7]

Over the past 2 years I have bought several flies from Blue Fly Cafe

Good pricing, and fast shipping. I did have a little problem with some bass flies I purchased, they were poppers and the eyes fell off. I contacted them and they sent out replacements right away.

[Phil Lilley]

Feathercraft has a sale going on...

Wal Mart carries Cortland. They are decent rods for the money but the cheaper rod and reels aren't what I'd suggest if you think you're going to stick with fly fishing. I'd start with a meduim-end rig- cost about $100. If you can spend alittle more money, Templefork carries a rod and reel for about $175, line and all. That's a rod you can use for alot of years- get quality, good guarantee and best value.

Size- for trout streams, 4 or 5 wt, 8 ft rod. If you're fishing lakes or wide open areas, I go with a 9 ft rod, same wt. Fishing for trout and bass- you might go with a 6 wt rod. You'll find over the years you'll own more than one rod for different applications.

[Guest Jim Traylor]

Yogeneral generic flies are getting cheaper on line. Y-D flies, Hills Discount fies, E-bay ect... the flies that are hard to get are the specific flies for specific water.

What flies are you hunting??

Jimmy T.

[Jeremy Hunt]

Hello Rookie, you asked when do you get to the point to tying, well i would say you are already there if you are already asking. I would tell you to get a tying kit from a shop or online somewhere. Don't be afraid to waste material either. That is what it is there for. Also most kits come with instuctions on how to tie a few patterns to give you some idea about what you need to be doing. We also have "FREE" tying classes here at Lilley's Landing if you ever get up this way to fish Taney. We have them every Tuesday from 7 to 9pm and would like to see you there one day. Oh and if your are like most of us, there will be a time when either you will get tired of buying them or you will want to tie your own. There is a saying in thr fly fishing world. "Half of the satisfaction is fishing and the other half is catching a fish on a fly you tied". Good luck

[jOrOb]

I agree with Jeremy. Pick up a basic kit and start tying. Most of the patterns that produce fish on Taneycomo are really simple to tie and you should have no trouble picking them up quickly. If you go to some classes at Lilleys, you will pick up some more, and then before you know it you are a full fledged tyer. It really isn't that hard. Hell, I do it, and this is how I started too.

Sometimes I think I enjoy tying more than fishing. But then I have a great deal more success tying than fishing. (at least I think so)

I do have one bit of advice when you start learning. Always remember that the fly is tied for the fish, not the fisherman.

Tight Lines

jOrOb

[rookie]

Thanks for the internet sites and the helpful fly tying advice.

I appreciate everyones time to write back and if I ever get over to Taneycomo I will definitely try and sit in on a tying class.

I did buy a Temple Fork Series 1, 5wt, now I am trying to find a creek close enough and temperatures warm enough to try it out. Right now I'm sticking close to home, and using the backyard to practice the cast, my lab doesn't much like it though.

Thanks again.

I'm sure I'll have more questions for you guys.

[Phil Lilley]

Where is "home"?

[Wayne SW/MO]

One problem facing new tiers is that what they tie looks pretty rough compared to those bought. While perfection is important for selling, it isn't that important to the fish. What I'm saying is that the learning process is not a loss.

[Jeremy Hunt]

It's all fun and if you keep doing it, you will be "trout bum" like me.

Be careful because it happen's to the best of us.

JH