Not Yet Started Fly Tying

[Fish Like a Girl]

Hey everyone! My husband and I went to Roaring River last summer and fell in love with fly fishing. We are usually bass fishers and go to Stockton but I'm planning a lot of trips to Roaring River starting tomorrow. We just spent $60 on flies and I'm a very craft oriented person so instinctively I wanted to learn how to tie my own. I have no tools whatsoever and no know how on how to tie, although I could probably figure it out. Does anyone have any advice on required tools? I don't want to spend money on tools I won't use.

[mic]

Here some advise from someone who was in your shoes just before Xmas. There are two approaches that I would recommend. First option, go to Cabela's and buy Jack Dennis's Getting Started Fly Tying DVD and starter kit. I found the DVD after I bought a starter kit, and did not have some of the materials needed to tie his flies. His instruction is clean and easy to understand.

The second option is to pick three common flies. I would recommend the Pheasant Tail Nymph, the Gold-Ribbed Hair Ear, and the Griffiths Gnat. These flies simply catch fish and cover multiple species of trout food. You can get lots of step-by-step instructions on the net or hit your local library. Once you pick them out, order just the equipment and materials you need, but get high quality. This approach is more expensive. However, if you end up getting into it like me, you will want to upgrade your equipment in a couple of months anyway. The one thing I have found over the last couple of months is this is one hobby where quality is worth paying for. After you nail down these three get more supplies.

Here are my final inputs... 1. If you can afford it get a high quality vise. I got one a cheap one from my kit. It started to wear out on me in a couple of months. The good ones will start at a couple hundred dollars. However, the difference is night and day. That one is always a tough call...quality versus cost. 2. Don't skimp on your bobbin and scissors. 3. Learn everything you can on Hackle feathers, I waisted money getting the wrong kinds. 4. If you can find a good fly shop, use it. 5. Be careful, once you catch a fish on a fly you built, it is can get addicting.

Here is a good read.

Drop me a PM if you have any questions from a fellow beginner.

25 Best Flies.pdf

[jdmidwest]

Fly Anglers Online

On the left hand side you will see a link for Beginning Fly Tying and it has a great list for all you will need to start tying. Avoid kits for the most part, they are stuffed with things you will not use. The initial investment will exceed what you will spend on flies for several years, but you will have the satisfaction of catching fish on something you have created. That part is priceless.

Find a friend or a shop that will offer lessons and learn from them.

[Fish Like a Girl]

Thanks for the info everyone! I work at Bass Pro Shops so I'll probably get most of my supplies from there. Most all posts I have read say to get a good vise. That will probably be my splurge for now supply wise. I appreciate the insight! I'm so excited

[mic]

Thanks for the info everyone! I work at Bass Pro Shops so I'll probably get most of my supplies from there. Most all posts I have read say to get a good vise. That will probably be my splurge for now supply wise. I appreciate the insight! I'm so excited

Well thats just cheating. You have it made. Use the different vises they have out for showing customers how to tie. I would agree with the comment on the kits. Thats why I like the one from Cabala's. It only has the supplies you need for the flies tied in the video.

[dgames]

Of the vises carried as Bass Pro, I would get the Peak Rotary with Pedestal base or the Griffin Spider vise.

You will also need at least 1 bobbin, good scissors and hack pliers, I would also recommend a whip finisher.

Scissors - this is one area where you might want to get something that isn't available as Bass Pro. The Dr Slick micro-tip scissors (17.99) are the best fly tying scissors I have seen.

Hackle Pliers - I like the tear drop style - I see these for 2.99 on the bass pro website

Whip finisher - the 7.99 rotating whip finisher from Bass Pro would be fine.

[denduke]

Not all kits are a waste. Here's Wapsi's for about $55. You can't get started any cheaper. Upgrade other stuff at your BP Shop once you get started...

Later DL

http://www.wapsifly.com/wapkits.html