keef 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 It's been many years since I tied any flies. We live in New Mexico and fished the San Juan. Now I split my time between Vegas and my Missouri. I had an accident last week, a head injury and will not be doing any work for a while. I got to thinking about things to do and recalled fly tying. My son has taken possession of my fly tying equipment so I'll have to buy a new kit. I'll be using poppers and dry flies for bass and bluegills. Is there a shop in Vegas or on the net that has good kits. Most of the ones I saw on the net got poor reviews. I'm still in MO but could have someone pick up a kit if one is available. Otherwise I can use the net. Thanks for any help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 Most of these kits aren't very good, it's better to just buy the items individually as you need them. I recommend the wolf/anvil atlas vise then a ceramic tipped bobbin holder in store you can figure out the little tools one of our members has has a good selection of materials for sale in the sales section here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjm 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 There might be a shop near you in Mo. I know of a couple. Lebanon, Cassville, Branson, Springfield, KC, St Louis have fly shops or BassPro type stores that carry fly tying stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 Not every kit is garbageCheck out kits from flyfishfood, orvis and Dyna King web sites https://store.flyfishfood.com/Complete-Fly-Tying-Starter-Kit-p/fffkit3.htm https://www.dyna-king.com/product/kingfisher-kit/ https://www.orvis.com/p/orvis-fly-tying-kit/2bt1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce Derington 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 Dyna King has a great package Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualAngler 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 You could go the budget route; find a vintage Thompson Model A, pick up a Bobbin holder or 2, a Whip finish tool and some hackle pliers & Bob's your Uncle. Or, buy a pre-made tool kit & buy an expensive vise that'll do everything except catch the fish for you. Whichever way you go, definitely go the route of deciding what flies you want to tie, then only buying the Materials you need to tie the flies you're interested in. All in one kits may include Materials you'll never need, or other superfluous knick knacks. Whatever you decide, it's a great way to pass the time. Alan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarrellP 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 I think everyone has a different opinion. If you liked the one you had, get another one like it. Good scissors, bodkin, ceramic bobbin, +/- bobbin threader, whip finisher or hackle pliers. A dubbing twister if you need it. You can make a bobbin threader and bodkin. Sorry to hear of your injury. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene L 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2019 I'm definitely in the No Kit camp. You generally get an inferior to a moderate vise, and a whole lot of stuff you won't ever use. I'd recommend getting an Anvil Apex (or whatever it's called now) vise and a pair of scissors and a bobbin holder and some 6/0 thread. Make a bodkin if you need one, and a bobbin threader.r Spend the rest on hooks and popper bodies and thread and some cheap China hen necks (if you want to). Poppers are fun to tie and are about as inexpensive as you can get...you can get a $1 pair of flip flops and tie a great bass catching series for just about nothing. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DFoster 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2019 I'm definitely in the No Kit camp. You generally get an inferior to a moderate vise, and a whole lot of stuff you won't ever use. I'd recommend getting an Anvil Apex (or whatever it's called now) vise and a pair of scissors and a bobbin holder and some 6/0 thread. Make a bodkin if you need one, and a bobbin threader.r Spend the rest on hooks and popper bodies and thread and some cheap China hen necks (if you want to). Poppers are fun to tie and are about as inexpensive as you can get...you can get a $1 pair of flip flops and tie a great bass catching series for just about nothing. 4 I completely agree with you Gene- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bazzer69 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2019 You could go the budget route; find a vintage Thompson Model A, pick up a Bobbin holder or 2, a Whip finish tool and some hackle pliers & Bob's your Uncle. Or, buy a pre-made tool kit & buy an expensive vise that'll do everything except catch the fish for you. Whichever way you go, definitely go the route of deciding what flies you want to tie, then only buying the Materials you need to tie the flies you're interested in. All in one kits may include Materials you'll never need, or other superfluous knick knacks. Whatever you decide, it's a great way to pass the time. Alan Fannys your aunt! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjm 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2019 I hope keef is OK, with that head injury and he hasn't checked back to see what the answers are. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdowney 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2019 Feathercraft is in St. Louis, they do retail and mail order. I've bought from them online, they seem like a good outfit. There's Thompson vises on ebay for $20-$40. Pick up one of those, some good scissors (I like Anvil's myself) and a couple cheap bobbins. I still whip finish by hand for some reason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites