Old But Functional

[Morgan F.]

Hello all you great fly-tying masters!

I was digging around the basement this week and uncovered my vice from years ago. It's not fancy, but it is functional...for a starter piece at least! So, I need a little instruction. I don't know names/patterns/materials/tools all that well, but I am looking for a functional fly/flies patterns to get myself into tying. I would prefer to start with something minimal in the material department so I don't have to buy the store and that would allow me to start getting a feel for this great pastime.

Also, any suggestions on what the "essential" tying tools are would be appreciated.

Let 'er rip guys!!

Thank you in advance!

Morgan F.

[troutchaser]

You know, Cabelas has a deluxe tool kit that comes with all the tools you'll need (and a couple you don't) for $30-$40 (click here). I'd recommend it to get started. The only thing I've added to that set over the years is a new set of scissors and a Matarelli whip finisher.

I've never fished around Columbia, so I can't recommend good flies to tie for the area. Sorry.

[jjtroutbum]

Hooks thread and a pheasant tail in the least, I would add a bobbin and a hare's mask.

Only those and you're vise are enough for two great classic fish catching nymph patterns to get you started and should only cost ya about 20 bucks.

Stop buy the book store or a online one and get a beginners tying book.

Actually Ill send ya a link to a great online tutorial in your PM box also.

JJ

[Morgan F.]

Thank you jjtroutbum and trout chaser! I should have been more specific in my post! It is the trout variety of flies that I would like to concentrate on, though I wouldn't mind learning to eventually tie up some poppers for some farm-pond bass fishing down the road.

Again, thanks to both of you for pointing me in the right direction! I appreciate the knowledge of your past experience...sure is better than just bumbling across the internet!! Once I get something tied up I will try and post a photo w/ my sure to be 'enlightening'tying experience!

Good Fishing...And tying too!

Morgan F.

[Greg]

I'm certainly not a master but I was in the same place you are about 5 years ago. I wanted to get back into tying after about a 20 year interlude. Like you I still had my old vise (Thompson A) but no tools or materials.

I ended up doing what troutchaser said and buying a kit from cabela's. It was OK and served the purpose but if I had it to do over I'd buy them individually - better quality. You really just need a good bobbin (ceramic or flared ends), bodkin, scissors, whip finisher, and hackle pliers. You can probably get all of that for less than $20. Netcraft (online store) is a great source for high quality low cost tools.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/

As far as materials - have you seen those tie a fly kits? They have everything you need to tie one certain fly including a completed fly as a guide. So you could get a kit for say a wooly bugger. These kits are 20 bucks and work very well. An olive wooly bugger is about as good as it gets for an all around trout fly. Then you could add other materials for other patterns as needed or buy another pattern kit.

http://www.tie-a-fly.com/index.htm

Good luck,

Greg

[Crippled Caddis]

Greg wrote:

<You really just need a good bobbin (ceramic or flared ends), bodkin, scissors, whip finisher, and hackle pliers.>

I'll echo Greg----except I'm much more a cheapskate. ;o)

Good bobbin---YES! Tho I've watched Lee Wulff tie with just a length of thread between thumb and finger even I am not that much a minimalist.

Bodkin----er, a needle in a stick is an accurate description---and easily rendered at home.

Scissors--- the very best you can find!

Whip finisher----not on your life! Learn to do it manually rather than use a crutch!

Hackle pliers----Radio Shack wire clips work better than all the various hackle pliers that have passed across my tying desk in the past 30 something years. Fingers preceded them and are the best of all with practice. JMHO. CC

[Greg]

CC - I've always been impressed with guys that can tie a whip finish without the tool. I've tried a few times but just can't quite pick up the knack. But oh well the matarelli tool just costs a few bucks and works very well.

The next time I'm in radio shack I'll have to look to look at the wire clips you spoke of. I've got several pairs of hackle pliers (they are all cheap) but all of them have some failing at times - slip, cut the hackle, etc. But they still work better for me than my fingers - mine are just too big especially if I'm tying something small.

thanks,

Greg

[Crippled Caddis]

Greg wrote

<I've always been impressed with guys that can tie a whip finish without the tool. I've tried a few times but just can't quite pick up the knack.>

You just need to get someone to show you how. It looks complicated when you see it done by someone who is used to it and fast, but demonstrated slowly a few times it's soon obvious that it's very simple.

<But oh well the matarelli tool just costs a few bucks and works very well.>

And I'm impressed by anyone who can use that blankety-blank tool.)

<The next time I'm in radio shack I'll have to look to look at the wire clips you spoke of. I've got several pairs of hackle pliers (they are all cheap) but all of them have some failing at times - slip, cut the hackle, etc.>

I often have to dress sharp edges on the RS clips to prevent cutting the feather. But they're so cheap you can afford to throw away a few to find a good'un. The throw-aways are useful clipped to your vest to hold tiny fies while tying them on to prevent dropping and losing them.

<But they still work better for me than my fingers - mine are just too big especially if I'm tying something small.>

Same here--haven't tried it in years but I could 'palm' a basketball at one time so I too suffer from the 'Gorilla-hands' syndrome. CC

[Danoinark]

Same here--haven't tried it in years but I could 'palm' a basketball at one time so I too suffer from the 'Gorilla-hands' syndrome. CC

Dang, CC, I didn't know you were athletic?????

[troutchaser]

Crippled brings up a good point. Your scissors are probably the one investment you don't want to scimp on. And for Heaven's sake, don't drop them on the floor! The quickest way to ruin a high dollar pair of tying scissors is to knock them out of alignment.