Beginning tier

[Graycliff]

I have never tied my own flies (except for a yellow wooly buggar that has been in my hat since I was 16.) However, I would like to get into it. I don't believe I will cut my costs on the amount I can lose vs those I could tie, but I would like the fun of it. Anybosy have any suggestions on who, what why, when, where and how to go about getting started? Any help would be mucho appreciato!

[mcgx2]

Take a class at one of the local colleges or at Anglers Inn or another fly shop close to you. It will be well worth it if you are serious about getting into tying. They usually don't cost too much. They will start you in the right direction.

Also most fly tying kits are junk. Go into a reputable fly shop (if you take a class your 1/2 way there) and ask for the basics. Buy good quality tools, you won't regret it. They will probably set you up with:

A Vice; Sissors; Bodkin; Hackle pliers; Couple of bobbins; etc.

You can get most of the basics, good quality, for under $100. The only thing you can really go wild on is the vice. I started with a Thompson Model A over 20 years ago. You can still get this basic vice very reasonably. There are many high quality vices on the market now and you can spend anywhere up to $300 or more on them. It's a matter of what you want to spend on the vice.

Fly tying can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it, but it is a hobby that will give you hours of pleasure if you like it.

mcg

[Strike]

Hey I am on a budget just as any other guy, but I firmly believe it pays to get the good stuff when it comes to tools and material. If you want to make great flies you will need to get quality hooks, and especially dry hackle. I think you can skimp on the rods, reels, but get good material. It is worth it. I just started less than a year ago, and after time it all makes sense. I mean you are doing this for fun, so why not get the good stuff. Buy it slowly. You will get a good supply of what you need. And take a class. That is the only way to go. If you ever want to get together and tie some up, just let me know. I live in north davis county.

Have fun with it all. Don't get frustrated and visit this site often to discuss ideas/frusterations you will have while tying.

[Larry S.]

I notice you live in Brigham. If you don't mind driving over to Logan once a week might I suggest taking an evening class put on by Bob Trowbridge thru the Logan High School. There will be another one start up in March. Kohn Smith also puts on an evening class but I'm not sure when. If you don't want to come over the mountain I think Anglers Inn has classes on some Saturday mornings.

[Strike]

Sorry I hurt your feelings.....j/k! Maybe that is why I am always having problems with what I like to call a cast. (one of the many reasons.) No really, I am a huge advocate of buying the best gear one can afford, however I can't afford a lot of really nice gear. So I would say go less expensive on a rod rather than the material. If I could do it all over again with tying, I would have gotten a true rotary vise first. I figure if I am going to spend the money down the road, I might as well spend it on the good stuff first rather than buy cheap stuff and then upgrade later. I never touch my cheaper rod, nor my $15 vise. I do this whole thing for fun, so I enjoy the good stuff. Maybe when I learn how to cast better, I will change my mind about the whole rod thing. But really- TAKE A CLASS! By doing that single thing, will save youself from more frusteration than if you were to try and teach yourself. I met a guy from "Tying Station" or something like that who has free tying classes located in Ogden. I have no experience with this shop however.

[Jason]

Grayclif, if you're not sure that you'll even like to tie your own flies, then go ahead and get the less expensive tools and materials and go from there. IF you go out and spend lots of money on the best stuff and then you don't like to or even have the time to tie flies, then the dent in the wallet isn't that bad. Ease into it if you don't know what you're getting into. Over the next year take one or two beginner fly tying classes and start tying the simpler flies. Maybe buy a couple fly tying books. I'd also highly recommend renting or buying a beginner fly tying video.
After your first fly tying class you should be on your way to tying some descent flies. Once you start to get the hang of it and you know what flies you'd like to tie, then you can go out and buy the proper materials for those flies. After a year or two you'll begin accumulating lots of materials. Believe me, it adds up fast. Now, once you have tons of materials, then it starts to become somewhat more of a money saver to tie your own flies. It's sort of like an investment. Once you've made your initial investment in hooks and matierals, then you can begin getting something out of it. Beware, it's addicting. You'll love it. Good luck.

[Jason]

My wifes' got a bird feeder out back and there are always feathers laying on the ground underneath it. I'm always pickin a few up and seeing if they might be worthy to use. A couple years ago me and my wife visited Tracy Aviary and I came home with a handful of great feathers, which I still use today. Go figure.

[walksinwater]

Gray,

In addition to the excellent advice from the previous post, you may want to check out information from Fly Anglers on line web site, and Fly tyer Magazine as you progress into this addiction.

The cost of your first fly may be in the neighborhood of $459.84, after several years, the cost will drop significantly.... yes, the cost will go down, it will... :o)

And yes you will be looking at mammals and birds in a more appreciative manner.

I have learned to appreciate My Ex-wife for her long silky blonde hair. Perfect for the blonde caddis, of which trout leap out of the water for. :}

[Graycliff]

It's always refreshing to log on and get a good laugh from Curtis and Fanatic...Thanks for all the advice, I think I'll try a class or two to start with and see how it goes from there.

[shazerblaze]

Terrible...terrible. If you're looking at saving money, try to remember that those fines will cost you a very nice vise. Either way, we'll be spending money. Hey Graycliff, classes would be the best. It is always good to see it down. See it, do it, teach it. Then you'll be great. Videos are great too, because you can see it over and over. Books aren't that good for learning how to tie. That's my thought at least. Anyhow, my advise for a vise is spend some money. I got a kit, so I could save some money. I have had to get some better tools along the way, but I don't think I would trade that. The first vise is good for learning to tie, and then you can really see what you want in a vise. I am budgeting in a new vise. I don't know when, but it should be a good one. I hope that helps.

[shazerblaze]

I was also going to mention the Benchside Reference that fshfanatic mentioned. It is probably the best book out there for fly tying. If you want more patterns, check online. There are hundreds of sites with recipes for the standard patterns and some of the newer, "cooler" patterns. I have hundreds downloaded to my computer. Then you can use those. Also, there are some beginning tier sites out there with instructions or recipes specifically for people who have just stared tying. If you need the sites, let me know.

[Larry S.]

I agree with Shazerblaze that a class should come first. That way you can question the instructor. Videos are also good for the reasons he mentioned. Books don't do you much good if you don't quite understand the instructions but there are good ones out there. The better ones will cost you.

"The Benchside Reference" which is invaluable is also available in CD-Rom for less than the printed version.

[Jason]

I disagree. Hey guys, you gotta have some fly tying books when you're first starting out. This is where you can get recipes to tie your flies. Where else are you going to have easy access to fly recipes along with detailed pictures of what your fly is suppose to look like. Yes, the internet is a good resource, but there's nothing like having a good reference at your disposal. The Benchside Reference is a great book, but I'd wait until you're more comfortable with your tying until you fork out $100. I'd opt for one or two of Skip Morris' beginner tying books and then go from there. Better yet, tying videos might be even better. After renting and buying a few videos when I started out really pushed my tying to a new level.

I agree with Shazer in that there's nothing wrong with a kit, but just make sure it's a descent kit. Some are just down right terrible. If you can't afford to buy nice tools and a vice and tons of materials, the kit might be a good option. But, if you get hooked you'll definitely want to invest in some better tools and eventually a nice vice a year or two down the road. Good luck.

[Jeff Brooks]

Graycliff,

Another approach to learning to tie flies (probably after you've had an initial fly tying class) is to ask the guys in your favorite fly shops to show you how to tie a pattern that they sell. After you see it demonstrated they can help you select the proper materials.

I've never been turned down when I've asked one of the guys at the shop to show me how to tie any particular pattern that I was not familiar with and after a while you'll probably know how to tie most of the kinds of patterns that you like to fish.

Also, there are some really good fly-tying videos out there...

[Mike]

Jeff makes a great point. I know that anyone at Western Rivers will sit down and teach you how to tie a specific pattern if you ask. I've taken them up on this a number of times!

[Craig]

One thing that helped me when I first started was The Art of fly tying on cd rom. It has quite a few patterns and if you get stuck on a step it allows you to watch a little media clip on that step.

[Fred]

Curtis, I'm sure that you are the finest tier in Lichtenstein.

IMHO, the best way to start is to find someone who fishes the same water as you that is willing to teach you. You would be suprised and how much faster it is to learn that way.

[shazerblaze]

Hey Jason,
Your comment is in well-placed, and I agree. You have to have a book at first, but they do very little compared to a video or a class. The best books to start with is one that has step-by-step instructions with pictures. But, most of the best books still leave the beginning tier with questions that cannot be answered until he sees it in motion. Craig was absolutely right about the Art of Flytying CDROM. I would definitely encourage anyone who is considering this hobby to pass up the book for the CD, since the CD has little video files for most of the steps. We purchased that for my brother this Christmas so he could start tying flies. I decided to buy myself one, and don't regret the purchase at all. Has that CD been reviewed. I will have to do that if it hasn't. As for the Benchside Reference, clearly it should be left for future purchase, and now that I am where I am (and definitely not the world's best tier), I like the Benchside with any "recipe book" for my tying. Any part of the recipe is well illustrated in the Benchside. Tie on and be good.

[Mr. T]

I know this is no good for Graycliff, but the Sportsman Warehouse in Provo is holding a Free Tying Class soon, and the guy teaching is Really good..........

I suppose that anybody in the Utah County area that is a beginner, that wants to learn to tie, could check it out.

Good Luck!

On second thought, I think they have a Sportsman's in Riverdale?

Graycliff may want to see if they are doing the same thing up in that store?

Just a thought....

[Graycliff]

Does anyone over there in Cache valley know if Rainey's still teaches lessons? I went there a couple times a few years ago but haven't heard about them for a long time.

[Crosby]

Larry could probably answer this the best- but as far as I know- she has gone big time and does not deal with the public anymore- I think she was in Thailand there for awhile- getting the fly tying gig going.

[Larry S.]

Chris is right. Rainey is no longer in the retail business. That includes the fly tying. Too bad because she did put on some good classes.

I talked with Kohn Smith this morning at his shop(Rivers Wild) and he is currently giving classes thru USU. He says he has other folks come in and join but that it gets too crowded.

My suggestion would be to take the class put on by Bob Trowbridge thru Logan High school in the evening once a week. He is halfway into a class now and will have another one in March. I may sit in on that one with my youngest granddaughter.

The cost is around $25.00 and I think that includes the stuff he furnishes and goes 8 weeks.

If you are interested I'll keep you in mind and let you know when the announcement comes out.

[Graycliff]

That would be great, I'll look for your post. By the way, if you ever want to go get together to do a little fishing let me know. I have all the time in the world right now, I'm currently looking for another job. It sucks...

[Ouzel]

I started tying about about 37 years ago and have seen many changes in equipment, materials and tying methods. Probably one of the most unique is tying a hackle parachute style.
I really dislike admitting this but Jason's approach is most sound.
INSTRUCTIONS are everything. Classes will avoid developing bad habits.
The best and most comprehesive instruction book is A. K. Best's, "Production Fly Tying", ($30.00) Fear not the title, the second same fly technecly puts you into production mode. You can first check it out of the library.
The book not only breaks down each and every step but it tells you WHY. It begins at the absolute begining and tells you how to set up a fly tying desk, lights, tools, chairs, materials and more. His explanations are more detailed then any other I've read.
Jason is also right about books (damn!). With videos/cd's you have to play with them more. With a book you just turn the page when your ready to go forward.
A Thompsom "A" has started millions of people down the road in fly tying. Was your first car a Cadillac?
I would also suggest not buying any capes or necks. Buy the Whiting 100's packages for those flies that are typically used in this area. That will avoid having lots of 37 year old feathers you're never going to use. Want some?
Lastly, be a little leary of fly shops that give lessons, their rational is to create you into a repetitive customer. That is why they put on the classes in the first place.

[Larry S.]

...try to get the spiral bound ones or soft covers and take them over to Kinko's and have them rebound if they are not. That way they will lie flat on your table or bench and won't flip pages on you.

The Benchside Referrence is available on Amazon for $70.00 and the CD was available at Greycliff last month for $50.00. Great bargains both.

[Jason]

Ouzel thanks for the compliments, I think. ;-)

Larry, good point. Books that lie flat, preferrably spiral bound, are a definite bonus in choosing which books to buy.