Old But Functional

[Morgan F.]

WOW! Thank you to all of you for the suggestions! Good advice is priceless and I am now endebted!

I think I may go with the separte tool purchasing route...I'm a firm believer in buying the good stuff once rather than having to replace it in a year or two. Also think that I may start out with the "fly kit"...figure it would give good repetition to learn some of the basics.

Thanks again!

Morgan F.

[Danoinark]

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.

....or cut wire, paper, or fingernails or other sundry stuff.....

Dano

Also think that I may start out with the "fly kit"...figure it would give good repetition to learn some of the basics.

Morgan F.

You've gotten some great advice Morgan...but I would offer this one too as Greg said.

A fly kit is nice, but I think you will find that there will be things in it you will never use. My suggestion only because its the way I started out tying. I picked my first fly to tie and it was a wooly bugger. I went to a fly shop, asked the clerk to show me how to tie one, then I purchased just the materials I needed for that one fly. The shop folks are gracious enough to show you these patterns knowing that you will purchase the items needed and will return when you are ready to tie the next one. You will be amazed at how quickly you build up a supply of tying materials, threads, feathers, wire, etc this way. And the benefit is that you only have what you REALLY need for tying patterns in your local area. Its also less costly to get started. Just my most humble opinion, for whatever its worth.

Dano

[Morgan F.]

Dano in Ark.,

Thank you! I can sometimes be clear as mud! What you said about getting the material for a specific fly is what I meant by the "fly kit", (i.e. gearing up to tie one thing and learn how to tie it well before moving on). Thanks for bringing to light that a kit may include more stuff than I may need. I will more than likely hit my local shop and buy the bare essentials separately. About all the materials adding up quickly..., I'm a little worried about that as I am getting excited about this...I will have to control myself and not go hog wild right away! HaHa!

As far as hooks go...what would one recommend for say size/style of hook for the wooly bugger if I mostly fish Bennett/Taney/Current/Eleven Point?

Have a great day!

Morgan F.

[Danoinark]

As far as hooks go...what would one recommend for say size/style of hook for the wooly bugger if I mostly fish Bennett/Taney/Current/Eleven Point?

Have a great day!

Morgan F.

Morgan, I would get size 10's and 12's (others will probably say 8's and 10's)

I like the smaller woolies for our tailwaters and creeks for fishing during daylight hours, larger for nightime.

I actually like Mustad brand hooks. They are a company that has been around for a long time, they are less expensive, and seem just as strong. I would use a size 2x or 3x standard streamer hook for the woolies. The same materials will tie both sizes.

Dano

[Greg]

Morgan

Regarding scissors: Definitely go with good quality but I don't think it's necessary to break the bank. I've got a couple of pair of high dollar Dr. Slick's and they are great. But I've also got a $5 pair that I got from Netcraft (or maybe Bass Pro) years ago and they are pretty darned good too. I've never dropped a pair of scissors but I did ruin a pair of Dr. Slicks by mistakenly attempting to cut the hook instead of the thread!

If you live by any good fly shops - you might see if they offer classes. I kind of went it alone when I was learning but that's probably not the easiest or best way. Even now whenever I'm having trouble with something I'll stop by BCO in Spfld (Michael and Jim)or River Run in Branson - and those guys are always willing to help me out.

Greg

[Crippled Caddis]

Dano wrote:

<Dang, CC, I didn't know you were athletic>

Well it's been said by some that I'm an athletic supporter so that oughta be close enough?;o)

[Danoinark]

Gosh, I keep thinking of things...which is unusual at my age...

You can get good scissors at notion or fabric stores also. I have even gotten nice curved tip ones at Wal*Mart.

Dano

[dave potts]

Morgan,

I notice you are from Columbia (Tiger country). I'm from Mexico. Don't know if you realize it or not but you have a great fly shop there-Clearwater-across from Memorial cemetery. They can give you lots of help. Also, some great scissors, in my opinion, are the small Fiskars brand. You can get them either at the Columbia Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Can't recall which but I think it is Michaels. They run about $12 but Michaels often run the 40 or 50% off one item coupons in the paper. These things stay sharp forever.

Dave

[flyfshn]

Dano, saw a pair of Fiskars at Walmart that were really nice (in the sewing dept), but didnt have $8....will have to pick them up later.

Dave, will be up your way this weekend between Wellsville and Montgomery City deer hunting on my uncles property. Have a cousin that is the plant manager at True manufacturing.

[Morgan F.]

Greg, Dano, Dave...Heck...All you guys!

This info is great!! I will seek out the items and let you know how I progress, though deer season is going to interupt the process a bit.

Dave,

I have made it in to Clearwater a couple of times this year and plan on more now that I am going to gear up for tying. I have always been pleased with the products and personalities in the shop there! I have always enjoied going in to pick up a fly or two and jawwing with all the guys throwing out advice from the tying table!

And, TIGER COUNTRY is right!! Let's hope they keep it rolling! I have spent some time in Mexico (I'm origionally from Fayette)and have met a some good folk from there!

Dano,

That cracks me up, man! Keep those thoughts pumping out as much as you can...I can always use good thoughts!!

To all,

The price point info on the scissors really helps...you can spend just about whatever you want to on those things...good to know that I don't need to drop a chunk of change!

Morgan F.