new to fly fishing

[Ham]

Lots of good advice given already. I'll merely echo that you don't have to know EVERYTHING before you get started actually fishing. Learn the Basic casting skills. Get comfortable with the basic knots for adding tippet to leader. Get a few more clouser minnows.

I 100% recommend Boogle Bugs for panfish popping bugs. Very effective and incredibly durable. They can catch 100 fish and look brand new. Lots of other poppers look pretty beat up after a couple dozen fish. They are expensive, but cost effective in the long run. 

 

 

[shawncuz]

Where is the best place to buy supply's to start tying fly's?

[Flysmallie]

If you come to Springfield then go to Plateau Fly Shop on South Campbell. Just north of Battlefield. Tell Jimmy you have no idea what you are doing and he will take care of you. Awesome guy.

[shawncuz]

Thank you.

[Gavin]

If you are in the St. Louis Area, look up the fly fishing programs offered by St. Louis County Parks. Ozark Fly Fishers does quite a few evening intro to fly fishing and tying courses and they should be starting soon. Other clubs might offer similar programs. Good luck.

 

 

 

 

[fshndoug]

you tube is a great place to look for almost everything

[Russell Doughty]

There are 2 fly fishing clubs in Springfield. Missouri Trout Fishermens Association meets this Thursday at 6 pm at the nature center. Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers meets 2nd Thursday of the month at the same place at 6 pm. You should check them out. Years of experience in both clubs.

[mic]

Everyone is different, but I like books.  These two are my absolute favorites.  One is beginner's book and one focuses on easy ties.  I've been tying for a while now, but I still like going through the beginners book.  The easy ties I just got for Xmas.

http://www.amazon.com/Fly-Tying-Beginners-Failsafe-Flies/dp/0764158457/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452088875&sr=1-2&keywords=beginning+fly+tying

http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Flies-Easy---Tie-Patterns/dp/0811713563/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452089003&sr=1-1&keywords=simple+flies

[Flysmallie]

Mic if you like books (I do too) then check this one out. It's beautifully done.

http://www.amazon.com/Barr-Flies-Emerger-Patterns-Variations/dp/0811702367/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452092007&sr=1-1&keywords=barr+flies

 

[ness]

Books and Youtube are great, but you'll find so much material that it's overwhelming. And, not all of it's good. Not a bad start, especially during the winter months...

But, the very best bang for your buck (time and money) is to get with someone who knows the ropes. I don't mean just any old body either. Get someone who's seasoned and has the skill set and temperament to teach. They're not standing on the street corners holding up signs and begging people to come up and ask questions -- you've got to go find them. I'd hit one of the clubs mentioned. Don't be bashful -- all these clubs are going to be open to guests. Sure, there will be the cliques and maybe even snobs. Or hit a local fly shop. Just sniff around until you find the right guys. Be willing to pop for lunch, dinner, whatever and give a little in return for what you'll take.

'Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.'

Ben Franklin