TSmith Posted March 18, 2013 Posted March 18, 2013 I'm tired of paying for flies, I'm tired of taking the easy way out, and I need another hobby like I need a hole in the head. This is why Im going to start tying my own flies for smallmouth. I'm looking at buying a very cheap starter kit from Cabelas its the "Cabelas Deluxe Tool Kit with Case" for like 60$ (has anyone heard or know anything about this kit? Or others in its price range. However, I was wanting to buy a bunch of materials (and hooks) with it so I can get to learning and tying. Can anyone give a list of the common types of materials for smallmouth flies (and what hooks to buy) Thanks again for all the help and knowledge. As you can tell I'm very new to the fly tying scene so please don't be worried about giving to much info lol I need it lol. I believe that fishing is usually better when there is a full moon. People are more crazy when there is a full moon. Thank God He made fish the way He did so I can have better fishing when people are crazier than normal.
Jack Jones Posted March 18, 2013 Posted March 18, 2013 Oh no. Prepare to be deluged, LOL. Search the forum and there is more than one post about those "kits". Most advice will tell you to buy your vice and tools separately, with a short list of essential tools. You can always add more later. I'll second that. I'll let the other guys chime in on materials and tools since I don't tie that often. However, I'm going to plug Plateau Fly Shop on Campbell here in Springfield. Check them out. They may be able to point you in the right direction. As a rule, I avoid BPS when looking for materials. Online shops like J. Stockard is good. "Thanks to Mother Mercy, Thanks to Brother Wine, Another night is over and we're walking down the line" - David Mallett
DaddyO Posted March 18, 2013 Posted March 18, 2013 First of all, watch all of Brian Wise's videos. Learning his techniques will be a big asset in tying smallmouth flies. Also, have a look at this video, as this fly will work for smallmouth, largemouth, and trout. http://hatchesmagazine.com/blogs/Hatches/2013/03/07/el-sculpito-sculpin-by-clark-cheech-pierce/ DaddyO We all make decisions; but, in the end, our decisions make us.
Wayne SW/MO Posted March 18, 2013 Posted March 18, 2013 Tim it would be hard to beat starting out with wooley buggers and clousers. They both use minimal materials and are both very effective. Clousers are simply lead or brass eyes and buck tail on a 3366 or a B10 hook. Woolies are marabou, buy bloods, chenille, and saddle hackle on a 2X long hook. You can use lead wire or coneheads for weight. Tie both in #6 to start, then #4's. I'm not a fan of kits because I've never seen one that didn't add a lot of cheap crap in the way of materials and then you eventually have to replace everything. For $65 you can get scissors and a good bobbin, when I say good I mean that you'll keep, materials and a cheap vise. If you want to get a vise that will last you a long time than bump up to $100 and get a Danvise. That's all you need to start. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Jason R. Posted March 18, 2013 Posted March 18, 2013 I second the Danvise- I have upgraded from mine but there was really no reason for that other than aesthetics. The jaws are a little soft but they are also only $10 to replace. http://flyinthesouth.com/
jdmidwest Posted March 19, 2013 Posted March 19, 2013 Beware of kits, they are usually full of junk you don't need. Vise, good pair of fine sharp scissors, cheaper pair of larger scissors, dubbing needle, good bobbin, bobbin threader, whip finisher are good for tools to start. As far as smallie flies. Size 6, 8, 10 streamer hooks. Size 10, 12 dry fly hooks. Olive, black, purple, chartreuse, yellow, and white chenille and marabou. Some brown, white, olive, chartreuse, or yellow saddle hackle for feathers. Hares ear dubbing. Pearl or black Estaz chenille. Gold beads and dumbell eyes, some gold bead chain. Black, white, brown, and red 6/0 thread. Black flat foam, maybe brown or yellow, you can find that at craft stores. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails nail polish for thread cement. Spool of lead wire for weight.. Look around and see what you want to tye and pick up the materials you need instead of buying a kit with materials. I fish mostly streamers, buggy nymphs, foam hoppers, and poppers. I usually buy poppers, they take alot of time to tye. I always spend $20 each time I see a new pattern on materials and probably have around 2k in my tying materials, tools, and vises. And I still need to pick up a few things. To start out with, I would suggest some woolly buggers to learn on, then move on from there. Find a mentor or take a class to learn, it will help greatly. Buy a few good books. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
Outside Bend Posted March 19, 2013 Posted March 19, 2013 I'd suggest taking a look at the patterns you've found most effective, and working from there. Flytyer.com and flyfishingforum.com are both pretty good resources- you can find materials lists and recipes for many popular smallmouth patterns- they'll tell you what materials are used as well as what hook sizes and models work best for each pattern. <{{{><
TSmith Posted March 19, 2013 Author Posted March 19, 2013 Tim it would be hard to beat starting out with wooley buggers and clousers. They both use minimal materials and are both very effective. Clousers are simply lead or brass eyes and buck tail on a 3366 or a B10 hook. Woolies are marabou, buy bloods, chenille, and saddle hackle on a 2X long hook. You can use lead wire or coneheads for weight. Tie both in #6 to start, then #4's. I'm not a fan of kits because I've never seen one that didn't add a lot of cheap crap in the way of materials and then you eventually have to replace everything. For $65 you can get scissors and a good bobbin, when I say good I mean that you'll keep, materials and a cheap vise. If you want to get a vise that will last you a long time than bump up to $100 and get a Danvise. That's all you need to start. Can you please send me a link to the $100 Danvise and a good solid brand to go with for the key tools that you listed? I believe that fishing is usually better when there is a full moon. People are more crazy when there is a full moon. Thank God He made fish the way He did so I can have better fishing when people are crazier than normal.
moguy1973 Posted March 19, 2013 Posted March 19, 2013 Can you please send me a link to the $100 Danvise and a good solid brand to go with for the key tools that you listed? http://www.amazon.com/Danica-Danvise/dp/B001NZNRBK -- JimIf people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. -- Doug Larson
exiledguide Posted March 19, 2013 Posted March 19, 2013 I would check out Plateau Fly shop on S Campbell if I were you. They are having a fly a thon this friday and saturday and have other events coming up with Brian "senior moment, I can't his last name" scheduled later. I will say this again the best place to get advice about fly fishing and tying is in your local fly shop on a dead of winter cold rainy weekend afternoon because all fly tyers (except for me, of course), are at least a little nuts and other tyers are the only people who want to hang out with them. While you are there pick up a copy of "Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing" by the Wilsons It has a section with flyrecipies for smallmoth with some of Dave Whilock's patterns. They can also show you the vices that they use to tie with. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FLY SHOP Brian Wise March 26 4to 8PM
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