Getting started with fly tying

Dez

Dez

Steelhead
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I bought a Griffin vice and a little wooden workstation. I have a set of tools I want to buy (Togens premium set). I really just need to get some materials and get started. I want to start by learning to tie the elk hair caddis and the clouser minnow. Any tips on where to get materials?

FlyTying.jpg
 
Thanks for your service and welcome to the forum!

A quick Google search shows three fly shops in MA but I wasn't sure if they actually sell tying materials. You might call them. If they don't stock tying materials then it's an online gig for you and there are lots of online shops (@SpawnFlyFish is having a Black Friday special).

Any fly clubs in your area where you might join the "old boys" in a tying night?

Good luck!/Pat
 
I can send you some of my used tails for clousers. What colors do you prefer?
I am about to go through my materials and cull some of it, any other tying materials you might want. An example I have a dyed black pheasant rump that I have used all of the large feathers, still a ton of feathers left just the smaller sizes, good for soft hackles.
 
Hareline has a basic starter kit with and without tools. I got the one without tools when I was starting and found it helpful. Comes with a book with some common patterns that all use different techniques and all the materials you need for them.

I found that an easy way to start, the problem I've had with watching a tutorial video is trying to hunt down all the materials since the shops that post the videos rarely seem to have the whole thing in stock.
 
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For materials: do you have a local fly shop? My local shop is the first stop for everything. Otherwise, I tend to buy online from Spawn Flyfish.

There are a ton of good tying videos online from Spawn and many others, and they have all helped me immensely.

Keep things simpler and sparser than you think. I look at some of my earliest ties and wonder wtf I was thinking putting huge clumps of hair and feathers where a tiny bit would be more efficient.

Also, as a fellow musician, keep your tying station far far away from you equipment. If that desk's going to be your tying station, cover your desk and recording equipment with a sheet and tie on top of that for easy containment/cleanup. No matter how careful you are you're gonna get tiny bits of feathers, fur, flash, and fluff everywhere and the area around your tying station will never be the same. Ask me how I know.
 
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Buzzy said:
Thanks for your service and welcome to the forum!

A quick Google search shows three fly shops in MA but I wasn't sure if they actually sell tying materials. You might call them. If they don't stock tying materials then it's an online gig for you and there are lots of online shops (@SpawnFlyFish is having a Black Friday special).

Any fly clubs in your area where you might join the "old boys" in a tying night?

Good luck!/Pat
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Those shops are a bit of a drive for me, so I'll likely stick to online. I don't know of any local fly tying clubs in the area, in fact I've never seen anyone fly fishing in my adventures lol, spinning gear is by far more popular in my area.
SculpinSwinger said:
I can send you some of my used tails for clousers. What colors do you prefer?
I am about to go through my materials and cull some of it, any other tying materials you might want. An example I have a dyed black pheasant rump that I have used all of the large feathers, still a ton of feathers left just the smaller sizes, good for soft hackles.
Click to expand...
That would be wicked! I'm at the stage where I don't know what I don't know with materials and recipes - I would honestly be happy with anything. I want to tie some chartreuse, olive and fire tiger clousers, and to start I planned on getting materials for a dark/black bodied caddis pattern.
adamcu280 said:
For materials: do you have a local fly shop? My local shop is the first stop for everything. Otherwise, I tend to buy online from Spawn Flyfish.

There are a ton of good tying videos online from Spawn and many others, and they have all helped me immensely.

Keep things simpler and sparser than you think. I look at some of my earliest ties and wonder wtf I was thinking putting huge clumps of hair and feathers where a tiny bit would be more efficient.

Also, as a fellow musician, keep your tying station far far away from you equipment. If that desk's going to be your tying station, cover your desk and recording equipment with a sheet and tie on top of that for easy containment/cleanup. No matter how careful you are you're gonna get tiny bits of feathers, fur, flash, and fluff everywhere and the area around your tying station will never be the same. Ask me how I know.
Click to expand...
Yeah I need to get my own little desk I think :ROFLMAO:
 
Dez said:
Those shops are a bit of a drive for me, so I'll likely stick to online. I don't know of any local fly tying clubs in the area, in fact I've never seen anyone fly fishing in my adventures lol, spinning gear is by far more popular in my area.

That would be wicked! I'm at the stage where I don't know what I don't know with materials and recipes - I would honestly be happy with anything. I want to tie some chartreuse, olive and fire tiger clousers, and to start I planned on getting materials for a dark/black bodied caddis pattern.

Yeah I need to get my own little desk I think :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
That flytying station will work great with some sort of desk/bench!

Start looking for an old roll top it will fit inside...hides the inevitable flytying mess very effectively!
 
Not sure how close you are to them, but Bears Den has an excellent selection of materials and customer service.
They likely provide tying classes. Taking a few classes can help cut down the learning curve. Local fly clubs often have classes as well.
Good luck and have fun.
SF
 
Fly fishing clubs and local adult education classes got me started. Definitely worth it. Phil Rowleys videos are good also as he goes slow and explains why. Get some good lighting and maybe some stronger reading glasses. Spawn and also The Fly Shack for material…
PS…Leech are easy and an effective way to start..

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Go to fly tying and press beginning fly tying for a good tutorial..
 
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SculpinSwinger said:
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The elk hair might be a curse as isn’t straight, but it will get you started. A few dry fly hooks in 12, 14, & 16, again enough to get started. The book has step by step tying instructions, as well as a lot of other useful information.
I will PM tracking when I get it boxed up and in the mail.
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You're the best, I can't thank you enough!
 
Watch Kelly Galloup tie an elk hair Caddis, It’s a long wait to get to the head, but that’s the way I like to tie them. Well worth the watch Kelly is good at explaining why things are done as well as how to tie.
 
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