Next step

[Phil Richmond 0]

OK, purchased pretty much everything that was recommended to me to purchase. J Stockard is loving you guys.

 

Next question, I don't have internet in my room, what is a good video or book to start off with putting patterns together? Right now I can just play around with ideas in my head, but thats about it.

 

What thread do you guys use for bonefish flies? I have some pink Danforth, and the stuff that came in my Bass Pro saltwater kit. Anything else that I ordered breaks extremely easily and doesn't seem to be what I need.

 

Thanks for the pointers!

 

Phil

[yellow bomber 0]

Hi Phil, I have the same problem as you do and have started printing patterns while at my computer and starting a reference book of my own in a small binder. Some of the more experienced tyers have already posted numerous messages regarding what books are good for beginners, just do a quick search and you'd be suprised!

 

Cheers and welcome!

[rich5665 0]

I recently purchased "50 Fly-Tying Patterns in a Box" from Barnes and Nobles. The cards are categorized by Tying level and covers "50 flies that have proven effective among fishermen in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia." Sure makes it a bit easier than using a book. The front of the cards have a photo of the fly to be tied and the back has step by step instructions.

 

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/50-Fly-Ty...64195020/?itm=3

 

There is a book available by the author of the box set as well that might come in handy.

 

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fly-Tying...64158452/?itm=2

[crappiekid24 0]

I would suggest to go to your local library and see if they have any fly tying books there. Otherwise check out this topic for some book ideas.

 

http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=8383

 

[Ridleyffo 0]

I would suggest to go to your local library and see if they have any fly tying books there. Otherwise check out this topic for some book ideas.

 

http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=8383

 

I dont think they have free public libraries in Afganistan. Maybe with Phil's efforts there they can bring the age of enlightenment to the people. :headbang: hoorah!

 

Phil it sounds like you like to fish for saltwater species. Lefty's Kreh's Saltwater Fly Patterns is a good book for getting saltwater recipes but it doesnt provide any fly tying instruction. great book nonetheless.

 

I used Skip Morris' book "Fly tying made clear and simple" as my first instruction. It is a great book as it gives you the techniques and then develops them through several different flies with detailed instructions. Most patterns are trout patterns however.

 

Another good book I have used is "The art of fly tying"by John Van Vliet. My library bought the new addition and it has an interactive CD rom with instructions and interactive recipes. Good sound basics and plenty of patterns.

 

For some saltwater recipes and instructionals see this site. http://www.aswf.info/multimedia/flytying.html . They also have different beginning tyer course pages. check out the multimedia link

 

Tight Lines and Keep it tight over there.

 

Ridleyffo

Bob

 

 

[Phil Richmond 0]

Thanks for the input. I'll be out of touch for a bit, but when I return will definitley look up your recommendations.

 

I like to flyfish for trout as well, but won't be doing any of that in the next year or so until I get back to Japan in April 2010. In Japan I fish for Japanese trout: Iwana (whitespotted char), yamame and amago (a beautiful asian cousin of the rainbow?), and in stocked ponds/streams browns and rainbows.

 

But for now, will concentrate on the saltwater stuff.

 

Thanks,

Phil

[utyer 0]

Here are few from Amazon.com. Cut and paste the links. Read the blurb, and read some sample pages.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Saltwater-...pd_bxgy_b_img_c

 

http://www.amazon.com/Pop-Fleyes-Popvics-A...ref=pd_sim_b_4#

 

http://www.amazon.com/Saltwater-Flies-Over...ref=pd_sim_b_6#

 

Plenty of patterns and instructions in these.

[peregrines 0]

Hey Phil-

 

Thanks for your service!

 

Thread- I think you mean Danville’s Flat Waxed Nylon (not “Danforth”)- it’s a strong thread with a breaking strength of around 5 lbs, and a good choice for salt water flies and spinning deer hair (bass bugs)

 

Books- I guess it depends on where you are in terms of tying skills. For Saltwater here’s a couple I’d recommend, depending on where you are in your tying abilities and what you’re looking for in terms of chasing different SW fish.

 

Introduction to Saltwater Tying by Scott Sanchez- About 26 bucks. This is a basic beginner’s book with detailed instructions for tying some of the basics as well as a discussion of materials tools and techniques. You can check out the table of contents to see the patterns covered by clicking on the Search Inside This Book link http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Salt-Wa...g/dp/0871089319

 

Saltwater Fly Patterns by Lefty Kreh about 15 bucks, spiral bound so it lays flat on your desk while tying. This is more of a pattern recipe book. So if you have some basic tying chops, this might be a better choice than the Intro book. This is a book with a pic and recipe of tons of sw flies for different species including bonefish, snook etc and is a very good choice for all around SW flies. I think this would be a great choice, and it does have a short demonstration section for some techniques. Browse the contents using the Search Inside http://www.amazon.com/Saltwater-Fly-Patter...d_bxgy_b_text_c

 

Bonefish Fly Patterns by Dick Brown If you’re specifically looking for bonefish flies, this is a great one. This is also a pattern recipe book, without detailed tying instructions and basic tying skills are assumed. The book must be out of print because I see prices on Amazon for used copies are 110 !!!! But you should be able to find a used copy out there somewhere for much much less. This book has all the old standards as well as some innovative newer patterns by guys like Borski etc as well as patterns by contemporary Keys bonefish guides http://www.amazon.com/Bonefish-Fly-Pattern...5040&sr=1-1

 

There are a ton more good ones, including some for more advanced tyers like Innovative Salt Water Flies by Bob Veverka and specialized books by species but they would be more narrowly focused than the Kreh or Sanchez books.

 

For trout, I think that Charlie Cravens book, Basic Fly Tying (about 26 bucks) has set the new standard. A truly excellent book for beginners and jam packed with info valuable for intermediate and advanced tyers too. It covers standards as well as some newer more modern flies and http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Cravens-Basi...6191&sr=1-1

 

Before Charlie’s book came out, Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple by Skip Morris (for 13 bucks) was arguably the standard trout fly beginners book, and still a good one with more of an emphasis on Eastern old school classics, http://www.amazon.com/Fly-Tying-Made-Clear...6570&sr=1-1

 

Good luck!

 

mark