Where do I start?

[Firespecialist 0]

I just recently started to take on fly fishing (as in a week ago). So far I have had a really fun time with it, although I have been really mad a time or two. I would really like to get into tying my own flies. Being on the fire department (and living there, too), I have a lot of "down time" I guess you could say. My question is, where do I start? I know about getting the vice and etc., but what are some good ones on the market? What are some of the tools I will need? What materials are recommended? I live near Taneycomo Lake in Branson, MO so rainbow and brown trout would be my target fish. Also, what would be some good flies for perch and bass? I have been told that it can be a lot of fun fishing for them. I have checked around on the internet, but a lot of it is pretty general for other areas. Anyways, and help (or even websites) would be greatly appreciated.

[Soft-hackle 0]

A Starting point

 

You might also go to the local library for a video or book. There are many good beginners tying and Fly Fishing books available. Also do an online search for the subject of fly fishing. You'll be amazed at the info available.

 

Mark

[vices 0]

Kinna a tough one for me to answer, I started with a kit and build the patterns that were in range of the materials I had, just grabed what i needed when i expanded my fly patterns. The kit i bought had few different colours of saddle hackle, chenille, marabou, deerhair and threads.. ohh and head cement.

I would find out what patterns work in your area, and aim towards making those flies... If dry flys work best you will need some half decent hackle (a higher grade). IMO, gear towards what you would need for the flies your most likely to use .. look up the recipes for those flies, that should give you a good idea for some materials you should get, hope this helps .. good luck. :cheers:

[camoham 0]

hello, i am new to the whole tying business as well.

 

ive started out with a simple wooden box kit with basic vice and no fancy smancy tools. right now im learning in what direction (what type of flys) i will want to tie.

 

i will be going with some classic wet patterns and tying some dry flies for simple pond fishing. occasionally every great once in a while i might make it to running water.

 

i figure when i get better at this whole deal, ill know by then what types of tools and vices i might want or need. i forsee a long detailed history of collecting things, with no end in sight.

 

first attempt at a classic type of fly. it has some serious problems but ill get better with time.

 

 

with time, patience, and persistence.............things should get better.

 

good luck with the new addiction. being in a firehouse. get portable stuff and a rubbermaid container to hold materials. might cut into your outdoor grilling time during the fairer months!

 

camoham

[JoeBillingsley 0]

I don't know this, but I would suspect there is a good fly shop or two around the Branson area. Go in and talk to the people there. They may have some fly tying and casting classes, as well. Most of us fly fishers and tiers are more than happy to get a beginner off on the right direction - or at least what we feel like is the right direction. It makes us feel more like experts!

Joe

[flytyingscotsman 0]

 

A fly tying kit is a convenient and cost effective way to get started,

as long as you realise that if you are serious about fly tying you

will more than likely end up upgrading more or less all of the

tools and materials provided in the kit.

 

The direction you take will be decided by budget. If you have extra

cash to outlay, then you may want to consider buying what you need

separately. Also, it helps to know what kind of fly patterns you'll

be tying so you can avoid buying materials you'll never use.

 

A basic tool set you can get started with would have the following :-

 

Vise, scissors, bobbin, bobbin threader, hackle plier, hair stacker,

bodkin and whip finish tool (some guys whip finish by hand, so this

tool can be eliminated, all the others are indispensible). There

are dozens of gadgets and gizmos out there but this is the basic

'can't-do-without' list.

 

Drive your materials list from the patterns that you plan to tie.

 

It is a long time since I have looked at instructional fly tying books

(or videos for that matter), so I'm going to let the other guys

chime in with recommendations there, as these publications get

better and better all the time.

 

I would recommend you find a local fly shop if there is one and get

their advice on everything from tools to materials to recommended

patterns. Even if there is no fly shop in your vicinity it may be

worth taking a day trip to get set up initially.

 

Good luck.

 

 

 

[rawfish 0]

I am a recent begginer myself and these are the tips I can share:

1. Dont buy anything until you are clear on what you want or need.

2. Dont be embarassed to ask questions on this board and the flyanglersonline.com board. The people are extremely helpful and friendly and excellent tiers.

3. I learned from three books: Skip Morris's Fly TYing made clear and simple, The Benchside Introduction by Leeson and Al Campbell's lessons on flyanglersonline. You probably can choose either of the two books and campbell's lessons.

Enjoy, just wait till you catch your first fish on a fly tied by yourself (happened to me this week :yahoo: )

[SteelieD 0]

Another relative newb here chiming in...

 

It's been mentioned (twice, I think!), but this site is an amazing resource...

FAOL - Beginning Tying

It takes some rooting around sometimes, but there is a ton of info there.

 

Buy good tools/vice to start. Particularly scissors. Don't be a cheap a** (like me!!) and end up buying 2 or 3 pairs of lesser quality scissors before finally breaking down for the Dr. Slicks. A razor blade is a handy tool. Used vices can be had on the classifieds. Get one that rotates, even if it is not a true rotary. Makes it real nice to be able to see what is going on on the other side of your creation. Here's a handy link... Vices

 

I'd stay away from the kits for reasons mentioned.

 

Practice, practice, practice! Stick with a pattern until you get it wired, it's a great confidence builder to get one done and really be satisfied with the results.

 

Good luck, it's a blast. Almost as fun as the fishing (some might say more!).

[flykid 0]

For materials I would say buy what you need as you need it IF there are shops near you. If not ordering stuff seperately all the time would cost alot in shipping so maybe plan what patterns you want to tie and buy what you need for them. For books I would reccomend Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple by Skip Morris also. It has great pictures and great description. For vices buy one that isn't too expensive but will still hold up well until you are sure you will stick with fly tying. One web site I would recommend for dubbings and synthetic materials is flytyer'sdungeon.com. They have a good selection of synthetics and dubbing for much much cheaper than similar materials at fly shops and the materials are good quality. I'm sure others can add on and give you even more info. The most important thing is to have fun!

 

Flykid

[silenthunter 0]

i am also a beginner, trying hard, sometimes too hard. i picked up some nice equipment from a lady whose husband passed away, got some nice hackle cheap, the vice was a great buy $75.00, some books, lots of material, i hunt and used to trap so i also got a lot of material from those sources. these are some of my flies i tied this winter, i want to try these caddis patterns i whipped together, the streams i fish have a lot. also a pic of where i spend a lot of time at the desk. i think i should stick to archery !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[silenthunter 0]

forgot to post the caddis patterns and my try at a royal wuff

[Firespecialist 0]

Thanks for all the tips and information. I went to Bass Pro today and picked up a training video to "enhance" my casting skills. To my understanding, it is all about presentation. I tried to find the benchworking book, but they didn't have it. But anyways, thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated!

[smokinprice 0]

Research research and more research. I know it has been said but a fly tying kit is a great way to start. If you become serious about it, be prepared to upgrade and spend some money. This is a great hobby but it can be expensive at times. Personally, I like the tying DVDs because I learn better that way. Check them out and the books as well. There is a lot of great stuff out there.

[Iowaflyguy 0]

 

 

Here in Iowa we have a state group the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association which has many

smaller clubs around the state. Most get together once or twice a month and tie.

 

If you look you probably have a fly fishing club very near you. Do a google search.

I'm sure they will be very glad to help you.

 

Tight lines

-Tom

[purolohi kalastaja 0]

Firespecialist:

 

I'm relatively new to fly fishing- within the past year or so- and didn't even tie my first fly until I was invited to a fly tying/eating/drinking sort of gathering. I think that was a really good way to get started; having more experienced people showing me the basics. I know some shops around here offer classes for beginners, and that might be a way to go too, if you can't find someone in your area willing to drag you in for free. (Just like drug dealers, the first hit is fronted out.) :hyst:

 

I just got my vise and some materials from the nice UPS man today. I've only tied two flies on it, but like it so far. It's a DanVise - a less expensive rotary, but I don't plan on being a commercial tier in the next few years, so I think it will do for me for now.

 

Good luck!