FishinCricket Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I've just recently gotten into fly tying (I've been tying my own maribou "pinkies" and other micro jigs, but never actual flies like cracklebacks, buggers, nymphs, etc..) I have a good friend (Eric1978) who is very generous has given me a vise and a bobbin.. I am interested in buying pretty much anything else related to fly tying.. To include, but not limited to: Fly tying stand/bench Thread/thread holders Bobbins Whip finishing tool Small gauge wire Small pliers/scissors/Hackle pliers Bulk feathers/chenille/maribou etc Fly hooks Lead/tin/tungsten beads/wire, etc I'm sure I'm forgetting some essentials here, after all I am a beginner.. I'm not rich, but I'm not broke either and am willing and able to pay cash.. I'd buy one of those "all-in-one" kits off of e-bay but I'd really prefer to go put my hands on the merchandise before I pay.. Let me know what you can do to help.. cricket.c21.com
Gavin Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 You have quite a list there...but you dont really need all of that to get started.. Figure out a pattern that you want to learn to tie first...Then go buy some hooks & materials for that pattern and add a tool occassionally...You will have a good collection of hooks, materials, & tools soon enough. Absolute Neccessities... Vice A place to tie-old desk in the basement, or similar Waste Basket that attaches to your vice. A comfy chair Good Lighting A bobbin or 3 A couple good pairs of scissors-Anvil, Dr. Slick, etc..whatever fits your hand best. A good tying reference book..Skip Morris's Fly Tying Made Clear & Simple is a good place to get started. A good set of reading glasses Stuff to add as needed... Matarelli Whip Finisher-I dont use it often, but its handy for small flies. Bodkin-Or use a big sewing needle-Use this allot Hair Stacker-Use this allot Hackle Pliers-Fingers work most of the time...but youll want a couple different kinds eventually. Specialty Tools-Dubbing Twisters, Foam Cutters, etc. Good Luck
Kelroy Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 You can also pick up a lot of stuff (yarn, beads, fine wire, tiny scissors, etc) at Hobby Lobby. WAY cheaper than any tackle supply, but of course one should support their local fly shop, too.
flytyer57 Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 You can also pick up a lot of stuff (yarn, beads, fine wire, tiny scissors, etc) at Hobby Lobby. WAY cheaper than any tackle supply, but of course one should support their local fly shop, too. I've never found a pair of scissors with decent points or sharp enough at a hobby store. There are kits out there called "Tie A Fly" for tying a particular fly. They have all the materials needed and include at least 16 hooks in various sizes for that particular fly. Plus they have instuctions. Amazon has some here There's a fine line between fishing and sitting there looking stupid.
FishinCricket Posted January 21, 2011 Author Posted January 21, 2011 Ah, thanks for the keen advice y'all... I've got a slew of local fly shops that will be my next stop, just figured I would throw this out there in case someone had some stuff sitting around collecting dust.. Actually I only posted this here as an afterthought, my original posting is on Craigslist... But, yeah, as soon as I have assessed what is available to be scrounged up cheap from my fellow fly flingers (at least the ones who are willing to look past the fact that I have, in the past, made fun of people for being "fly-guys") I will be off to Readings fly shop to twist him into hooking me up with the rest... I do agree/understand that I am attempting to cobble up a wealth of stuff that I wont immediately need (if ever) since I plan to keep my flies limited to a very few... Again, anyone who has anything laying around that I could buy to help me cut my teeth, that would be great... As for which flies I intend to tie? My (massive) list is as follows: 1: Olive Woolie Buggers (with and without beadhead) 2: Stonefly 3: Crackleback I know, massive list eh? Honestly I think 90% of my fly trips so far have been using #1... cricket.c21.com
Njardar Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I've never found a pair of scissors with decent points or sharp enough at a hobby store. There are kits out there called "Tie A Fly" for tying a particular fly. They have all the materials needed and include at least 16 hooks in various sizes for that particular fly. Plus they have instuctions. Amazon has some here JoAnn Fabric has a good scissor selection for needlework that work fine for fly tying. You can easily buy expensive ones or Fiskars for a fraction of the price. - Charlie
timsfly Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Go see Charlie Reading, he'll fix you right up, he has a great selection to choose from, I think he may have a little bit of everything in that shop. Tim Homesley 23387 st. hwy 112 Cassville, Mo 65625 Roaring River State park Tim's Fly Shop www.missouritrout.com/timsflyshop
jdmidwest Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I second the motion on Charlie, be prepared to spend some time there, because he is a bundle of knowledge. After all, he brought the Glo Ball to the Ozarks.. Fly Tying bench Cutting board bench Another Cutting board setup And another Tools and materials, locally or J Stockard Feather Craft You can buy diagonal cutters and pliers at local hardware store. I picked up a set at Big Lots with a bent set of needle nose and diagonals with 4 other mini pliers for about $9. Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Wally World Craft center has wire, beads, fly foam, chenille, and other good ideas along with pheasant, guinea, and peacock feathers. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
flytyer57 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Think twice about buying beads at the local craft store. Beads for flytying are counter-drilled on the back side so they have room to slide around the bend of the hook. Craft store beads are not and may not fit around the bend unless you buy extra large beads, which will fit sloppy on the hook and look like crap. The only thing I really use craft store beads for is when I tie tandem hook flies. I use them to keep the wire/mono used to join the hooks, together and add some color. There's a fine line between fishing and sitting there looking stupid.
jdmidwest Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Think twice about buying beads at the local craft store. Beads for flytying are counter-drilled on the back side so they have room to slide around the bend of the hook. Craft store beads are not and may not fit around the bend unless you buy extra large beads, which will fit sloppy on the hook and look like crap. The only thing I really use craft store beads for is when I tie tandem hook flies. I use them to keep the wire/mono used to join the hooks, together and add some color. The Hobby store is a great place for Bead Chain eyes and small beads to create bead bodies. The Bead Head beads need to be purchased from a fly shop because of the counter drill process. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
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