suggestions for a newbie

[Tightlinez]

I am considering getting into fly tying. Do you find it cheaper than buying pre-made flies? What are the benefits and disadvantages? What is the cheapest way to get into it? Any other suggestions for me?
Thanks.

[Crosby]

If you are only looking at a cost savings then do not get into it.
Its not the cost savings that one finds from tying his or her own flies.

[Mike]

There are endless advantages to tying your own flies! Saving money just doesn't happen to be one of them. The single most important thing to figure out is whether or not you enjoy tying flies. If you don't know, take a class or borrow a vise. Then go catch a fish on your home tied fly. You'll know if you enjoy tying soon enough.

Short summary...

Advantages: tie any pattern that you want in any size, shape, color or number that you desire at any time

Disadvantages: tying takes time, practice and some monetary investment

[Ouzel]

It is the next logical step, I feel, in fly fishing but remember your first fish caught on a fly rod probably cost you a couple of hundred bucks as first you had to buy the equipment.
Much the same with fly tying, you will need first to but the equipment with which to tie flies.
Your finances will dictate the type ($) of equipment you can purchase but I caution you about:

Do not buy a tying kit.
Do not buy a rotary vise unless you plan to go into the business of tying flies.
Do not buy capes and necks as the Whiteing 100's will fill the bill.
Do take tying classes.
Do come to one of the club tying meetings.

NEVER ask any sales person what you need to get started, NEVER.

Your first fly will cost about $100.00 to produce. The flies I tied last night may have cost about $0.12 ea.

Your Return On Investment (ROI) will be very quick if you are looking for the satisfaction of catching fish on your own flies. It will be slow if you are just looking to save money.

[Cary]

I'd echo the what the others have said, Ouzel is right on, definitley avoid tying "kits". the materials are crap.

Some sales folks may over do it, but if you walk in to Fishtech or Western Rivers, I'm sure you'll get good, practical advice. Get to know a few of the folks that work these shops, you'll find that they can be a great help.

[Tightlinez]

all the advice. As a student I guess I should hold off on getting into fly tying until i can better afford it. Unless anyone knows of an extremely cheap way to get started? Maybe buy used equipment in an ebay auction or something?

[Mike]

You can get started tying on inexpensive equipment for around $100 if you really want to. Especially since you don't need to tie much but midge patterns in the winter.

cheap vise: $40

bobbin: $5

whip fishisher: $5

size 18, 20, 22 hooks: $10

5 colors of thread: $10 (use at least 8/0 for those small hooks)

silver, copper, gold wire: $10

silver, copper, gold beads, other beads: $10

That leaves you $10 to go crazy. Maybe buy some peacock and a whiting 100 pack for griffiths gnats. That would probably put you over slightly... You can tie a couple hundred midge patterns with all of that.

[Ouzel]

you might be better off buying flies at Sportsman's for $0.85 ea rather then taking time away from your studies to tie flies.

When you graduate at the head of your class and secure a high paying corp. job you will be able to afford to hire some of the rest of us to tie flies for you.

[Johnny]

Just a comment on kits. I am trying to get into tying and I just picked up the tools at Sportsmen's Warehouse that my wife is getting me for Christmas. I didn't like the idea of a kit because it seemed that I would be buying a lot of "materials" that I may not use.
However, there are kits that are just the vise and tools. There is a kit at SW with the brand name "Colorado Angler's" on it that has a vise, scissors, two bobbins, hair stacker, whip finishing tool, bodkin, bobbin threader, c-clamp and pedestal base for $30. This is the same Cabela's branded kit that Cabela's is selling for $40. A co-worker has this kit and he loves it (even the el-cheapo vise).
Anyway, my point is that you can get all the tools you need in an inexpensive "tools-only" kit, without having to worry about what scissors, what vise, what bobbins, etc, etc. If you learn that you like tying, you are going to get better (more expensive) tools anyway, so just start out with the basics and upgrade from there.

[dsw]

If you do start this hobbie, do it right. Take a class from a fly shop. Western Rivers had some great classes (For Carpman's benefit: you could try taking a class at Fish Tech if they offer them.) A class can orient you to tools, materials, and simple techniques to get you started the right way. The classes also give you a great way of trying it out to see if it is you bag.

However, even on a student budget you could buy a piece here and a piece there and accumulate a kit little by little.

Best of Luck!

[Jason]

All of the suggestions above are all great suggestions. My one suggestion would be to buy 1 or 2 fly thing 'how to' videos and watch them over and over. Maybe get a nymph tying video and a basic dry fly video. This is the next best thing to taking a class and you can learn at your own convenience. Fly tying videos really helped me when I was learning. The 'Hooked on Fly Tying' video library would be your best bet.

I personally like Dick Talleur's vidoes the best. He is by far the best fly tying teacher on video. I also like Rene Harrop, Bob Newman, and Chris Helm. You'll definitely get something out of them. Drop into your local fly shop or library and see if they rent fly tying videos. Good luck.

[flyfshr8]

Ditto Jason and Johnny. Johnny has the right idea. Don't get intimidated by the rest of our ramblings. Jack Dennis videos rock for western dry flies. VIDEOS VIDEOS VIDEOS. Store the Herters' catalouge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Strike II]

I would strongly recommend a tying class, or have someone teach you the basics. I took a class from Mickey at Fish Tech. I tied a few flies when I was a scout leader who did it, but I can tell you the class was priceless. The classes let you ask for help the videos don't offer.

Be warned however that tying your own flies doesn't make your cost go down for years........

I would also recommend if you are going to "get into" tying, to put the money out for good equipment. The 15 dollar vises do the job, but a nicer vice the fully rotary are far more enjoyable to tie on. Isn't that the real reason for getting into tying??? Dull scissors will be the death of you, buy the good stuff to begin with, and it will save you money. (especially on dry hackle) I bought the cheap SW tool kit for 30-40 bucks, and the only thing I use from it is the bodkin, and threader. IMHO All the other tools in this kit aren't worth a can of beans.

[Mike]

Scissors! I forgot scissors on my list. You gotta' have those.

[ROOSTER]

I would echo the comments that have been made so far. I originally started tying thinking that the advantage would be monetary value. After getting into it and purchasing what I did, that was certainly not the case. I am not even that good at it and still purchase the majority of the flies I use. However, I get satisfaction from catching fish on flies that I have tied myself and from watching others do the same with my flies. The tying itself is fun, and relaxing for me. I would like to get into it more. Don't do it for the money though or you may be disappointed. There are many other reasons to get into it.

OUT

[Dr. Trout]

I also just began tying. I bought a couple of books on tying, which were helpful because they provided alot of good information. After I finished reading them, however, I still didn't feel ready to begin tying (i.e., there was some very basic information which was missing, such as where the thread should be at any given point in the process, etc.).

I then purchased a Jack Dennis video. I was tying flies instantly. There is no substitute for actually seeing the process.

I'm planning on taking tying lessons soon, to get some help with my technique (some of my nymphs look like nymphs, others look more like Cocoa Puffs), but I will still make good use of the video.