fly tying

[ffjones]

i am thinking about tying my own flies and would like some suggestions on what kind of kit i should get started with
thanks

[THeBLender]

There have been scads of threads about this, and you could probably use the Search feature above to find them.

I would suggest "parting it out" and buying stuff on an as needed basis.

You will want to start with a vise, bobbin, and scissors. After that, pick a fly and buy accordingly.

You may also find this (among other) thread(s) helpful...
http://www.utahonthefly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4215

[WestFork]

Buy as need, like Blender said. I was in your shoes, bought a "kit", and pretty much all I use now from that kit is the vice, and bobbin. I have a whole lot of funky stuff from that kit that never gets used...never been opened for that matter.

[DARKFLY]

I know no one will aprove of this but sportsmans has a vice kit with tools for cheap it's a start untill you find out you like it and then u can spend more.

[Larry S.]

............you might find

http://www.killroys.com/articles/newtyer.htm

helpful although I beg to differ on some of his "Nice to Haves". They should be at least in the "Good to Haves" column.

[Stoney Clarke]

Here's my question. Do you guys tie because you find it enjoyable? or do you do it to save money? or both. I know saddles, other materials, tools and vices can be pretty pricey do you actually save money?

[Trouty]

Here's my question. Do you guys tie because you find it enjoyable? or do you do it to save money? or both. I know saddles, other materials, tools and vices can be pretty pricey do you actually save money?


Definitely not to save money though that was one of the motives when I started. 1 - Its enjoyable for me. Gotta have something to do when your watching the game and your team is sucking! 2 (biggest reason) - I can tie MANY variations of flies that I can't buy anywhere, make my own adaptations, tie up new patterns I see on the web, in mags, on another fishermans line, etc. 3 - It does somehow, seem a little more rewarding to catch something on a rod you built and a fly you tied. At least the first time anyway.

I suppose you could save money if you used ALL the materials you purchase but I suspect my heirs will be selling or (hopefully) dividing up many unused materials when I am no longer around.

'spect I'm pretty typical on this.




In response to ffjones, I would take a fly tying class at Fish Tech (Midvale??), Western Rivers (SL), or Lone Peak (American Fork). You can use their gear while you learn, decide if you like it, try different vices/scissors/etc., learn what types f lies you want to tie, plus be able to pick the instructors brain on materials and stuff.

[RAW]

Stoney,

I tie because I enjoy it and have narrowed down what I do so I can actually save money at it. I do not tie any type of hackled dry fly. I have found I just don't need to use them under any fishing situation. That's just me.

[jdubya]

Here's my question. Do you guys tie because you find it enjoyable? or do you do it to save money? or both.

i think if you fished 60 or more days out of the year it might be more cost effective to tie. i don't, and i tie 'cause i like to catch fish on flies that i tie. just a simple pleasure that works for me.....

[ezlehappy]

There's a $30 tying kit at sportsmans that has worked well for me. It even has its own wooden case and all the beginning necessities. I would suggest getting a different whip finish tool and getting a different dubbing loop tool. other than that I still use everything in the kit. I've been tying pretty avidly for about 2-3 yrs now.

Check it out, "couldn't hoourt".

[Drake]

If you actually used up all of the hackles/saddles you would save a lot of money. My problem is I will probably never use all my saddles up.

If I don't use hackle, I can tie up 95% of my flies for less than a dime, and usually less than a nickle.

That said, I enjoy tying flies. I do not do it to save money. If I was to go fishing tomorrow, it is actually easier for me to put my daughter to bed, kiss my wife goodnight, and go tie tomorrow's supply for a half hour/hour.