how should i start

[Trout hungry]

I am interested in starting to tie my own flies. I' curious as to if i should get something like one of those cabelas starter kits or go out and buy everything individually and also how important is the the clamp would i get away with like a 15-20 dollar clamp or would i be better off with one thats a little more expensive any help is appreciated

Thanks,
Sam

[dmfisherman]

I think that the cheap vise will be fine until you start needing really small or really big flies, I wouldn't go the the kits, I would decide what your favorite flies to fish with, then just get the materials for those.

[Sumner Newman]

but I'll give you my opinions and experience. First, let me say that I LOVE TYING FLIES. It's a big part of what makes the sport of fly fishing so intriguing, rewarding and exciting for me.

I think you first need to decide how serious you are about tying. If you're truly serious and want to do this for the rest of your life, then start with a full rotary vice and buy a good one - as good as you can afford. I started with a Renzetti Traveler and have never looked back. One of the best investments I've ever made. There are other good rotary vices besides the Renzetti, but I would definitely encourage you to get a full rotary.

Second, I wouldn't and didn't buy a "kit". I just began by purchasing and accumulating materials specific to the flies I wanted to tie. Now, after 10 or so years, I have so much, I don't know what to do with it all. But, it just keeps getting more and more fun for me.

Good luck and have fun!

[Fred]

This has been discussed several times and there are a lot of threads bout, "How do I get started" and "Should I get a Kit". Maybe do a keyword search for "kit" or look through the Fly Tying thread.

I would sit in on a fly tying class or go to the UTOF fly tying club night and just observe. You can learn a lot about tools that way.

[jim m.]

As far as spending money goes, I’d take my tying budget and get the cheapest/usable vise that I could find. It needs to hold a hook, that’s about it. Then I’d spend the rest on quality materials and tools. I think quality materials followed by decent hand tools make a bigger difference than any vise. If you stick with it long enough you’ll know what type of vise you really want anyway. Right now it’s way too early to tell.

What also worked for me was to pick a pattern that I fished a lot. At the time it was scud/sowbug pattern from Mike called the “garbage scow.” I went and bought hooks and materials to tie two dozen of them. No more, no less. After some instruction I was tying them up. After 24 attempts, (with many, many retries) I was comfortable w/ my tools and the material and I had a nice pile of garbage scows. I then moved on to other flies that I liked to fish but were a bit harder. This way you don’t have materials lying around that you’ll never use. Also, you have flies to fish with right away. It also got me in the habit of sitting down and tying two-dozen at a time.

Fred is right about checking out the tying club and as winter gets closer shops will be offering beginner tying classes. Western Rivers has a great one, fwiw.

Good luck.

[highcountry]

I bought a kit when I started, but wish that I wouldn't have. Most of the stuff in the kits are low quality or weird materials that I never use. I think going and buying everything individually is definately the best way to go. A cheap vice will be fine for a couple of years.

[huck_the_meat]

If you are serious about it, Kits are not the way to go. They throw a lot of random useless junk in there.

Buy moderately priced stuff... Works out better that way.

HTM

[Ouzel]

was made by Flygirl, AKA-Mrs. Cardiac, at a tying meeting held at Western Rivers; of the 9 or 10 tyers a the table who had rotary vises not one was using it in 'rotary mode'. Since then, 2 yrs., I've tried to notice at various fly fishing shows how often the different tyers use the rotary capability, one, he was tying streamers.

The rotary was developed as a professional's production machine and not for the home tyer market. That's why they cost so much more then a 'Thompson A' type vise.

Kits make nice presents for your buddy's kid when he turns 13, otherwise get a hatch chart and start tying up flies for the next hatch that you'll be able to fish. Two flies you need to buy material for is the Adams and the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, both of which, in different sizes, imitate a lot of different hatches.

[fishned]

Sumner's post was right on the button.

If you don't invest in a rotary, you will regret it as your skills progress. Cheaper vices have jaws that won't hold as well when you wrap tightly ( something you will learn contributes to fly durability). At least 80% of patterns involve some sort of segmenting (palmering), this is accomplished more easily and accurately if you can rotate the fly to see what you are doing on all sides. I think the renzetti he mentioned (I use one too) runs about $140 new. Be sure to get one with a pedistal-it will allow you to tie virtually anywhere.

The kits I have seen are full of sub-standard tools and materials you will never use.

I am sure you can work out some sort of a package deal for a set of decent tools with one of the local fly shops. Especially if you are interested in one of their beginner level classes. Or just take a class so you have a handle on what you will need and keep an eye out on e-bay or classified ads.

If buying yourself a decent vice puts your butt in a sling, I have a couple bobbins and scissors I'd be happy to lend you for a few months 'till you get caught up and can afford your own. Shoot me an e-mail.

Ed

[Sumner Newman]

Cheaper vices have jaws that won't hold as well when you wrap tightly ( something you will learn contributes to fly durability). At least 80% of patterns involve some sort of segmenting (palmering), this is accomplished more easily and accurately if you can rotate the fly to see what you are doing on all sides.
Ed

This is something I forgot to mention, but the above post reminded me of it. Fly durability is something that is very important to me and something I've worked hard to achieve. I take pride in my work and my time is valuable to me, so I don't like to have to discard a fly after it's caught just a few fish because it's coming apart. I don't want to seem like I'm bragging, but I really feel that I can now tie virtually as durable a fly as is possible. I have a fly in my box right now that has taken over 30 of those big toothy cutts at the 'berry and is still going strong. One of the very most important factors in getting a durable fly is, as fishned says, wrapping your materials very tightly. I don't think this can be over emphasized.

In addition, what fishned says about being able to wrap, palmer, etc. materials and see what you're doing on all sides by rotating the vice is important to quality flies and a real advantage of the full rotary. Yep, if you're really serious about this, a rotary is really the only way to go, IMHO. Fishned is also correct on the price - they (Renzetti Travelers) are $140.

[Flyin Ties]

to add except I started tying with a cheap kit and most of the stuff wasn't worth much. I didn't know as much as has been discussed in this thread or I would have researched and purchased. The kit was a gift and I'm glad I started. As stated .... I love tying my own flies, it adds greatly to the experience.

[Jason]

I'd recommend taking a class or buying a couple fly tying videos so you can "see how it's done". It'll save you some time and frustration. I teach fly tying classes during the winter so if you're interested shoot me an email for details.

The advice above is all good as well. Depending on your budget, get the best vice, tools, and materials you can get. You'll be much happier.

[Utah DaveII]

The advice above is all good as well. Depending on your budget, get the best vice, tools, and materials you can get. You'll be much happier.


I totally agree. My first couple necks were not the best quality. I do not tie with any of those necks anymore and they have probably 90% of the hackles. In retrospect they were money wasted.

Get Whiting 1/4 saddles or 100 packs to start out. High quality feathers at a good price. The 1/4 saddles are aobut $9.00 more but they are a much better value than the 100 packs.

Ge the best vise you can afford. Stay away from the kit's bcuase after a week or two you will use very few of htose feathers. Especially as you learn to view the quality of materials.