Looking for Tips to Get Started in Fly Tying

cdnred · May 21, 2022

Did a qwik search here but didn't find much help. I've started to take an interest in learning fly tying and looking at what ours would recommend to get for starting out. For me, most of what I'd buy would be online so lacking in sales talk for advice. My thoughts were to get a multi package of threads with a variety of colors to cover all the options for different patterns or would it be best to buy individual spools..? Are there any preferred colors to get over others, same goes for hackle/feathers and other materials..? I see that some places offer starter packages for fly tying but I feel there may be a lot of waste with some things that are included never being used. Any suggested dealers that offer good deals on a variety of tying materials..?

I got a nice free fly tying kit from @JLT on this site to see first hand how I'll take to fly tying and have been watching some youtube videos to learn the essentials. From the kit that I got, the only thing I'd need to add is a thread bobbin to get me started. My main interest would be for bass, trout, carp and later salmon/steelhead. For now I'm covered with a vise but should I take a liking to it, I'd be looking to upgrade to a rotary vise like a Renzetti Traveler 2000 Vise or something along that line..

cdnred · May 21, 2022

Should have used a different search term, found some useful info here..

Help me start tying? Pretty please?

I am brand new to fly tying. As a young kid (like 8-10) I had a vice and a couple tools and threw some feathers on hooks, but that's it. About 10 years ago I wanted to start again and bought a tool kit and found the parts inoperably shitty. This left me a little discouraged and skittish to...

pnwflyfishing.com

DFG · May 21, 2022

Your title says NFR, but I think this is a perfect fishing topic!

Many local shops have tying classes. They're not essential but can help shortcut the learning process and start you off on the right foot.

When I started tying I can remember feeling the need to match the instructions to the letter. That meant sourcing oddball materials that I might only use once, whether they were vital or not. As I started gaining confidence and a stock of materials I started substituting things that were more readily available (and cheaper!) with little negative result. I also tied lots of flies I never used.

Tying your own flies is lots of fun and very satisfying. If your motivation is to save some money however, be ready for disappointment! You may save money in the long run assuming you enough of whatever prompts you to buy some specialized type of hackle, bead, dubbing, hair, etc.

Don't get me wrong - I really enjoy it and have no intentions f stopping. It is a great way to participate in fishing when you can't get to the river, and can help promote deeper understanding of the insects and their lifecycle.

One thing I'd recommend that you consider: making yourself a belly board - kind of a portable tray that can sit on your lap so you can tie while sitting on the couch with your family or outside on nice days. That way you're not banished to Coventry while you tie.

It's pretty satisfying to catch fish on flies I've tied. I wish you the same satisfaction!

ABITNF · May 21, 2022

Select six flies you like to fish and buy the material to tie them. Once you can tie them well, you'll probably be able to use the abilities you have achieved to tie many other flies.

Buying a lot of stuff that comes with a few of the things you want isn't a wise financial choice. Often you'll find stuff available on Craigslist that looks good but be careful. Avoid cluttering up your space with stuff you'll never use. I know because I have a 50 year collection of this. There needs to be a Tying Materials Anonymous group for people like me.

It's a very rewarding pastime and it connects us to fly fishing when we can't be fly fishing. Best of luck!

cdnred · May 21, 2022

DFG said:
Your title says NFR, but I think this is a perfect fishing topic!

Many local shops have tying classes. They're not essential but can help shortcut the learning process and start you off on the right foot.

When I started tying I can remember feeling the need to match the instructions to the letter. That meant sourcing oddball materials that I might only use once, whether they were vital or not. As I started gaining confidence and a stock of materials I started substituting things that were more readily available (and cheaper!) with little negative result. I also tied lots of flies I never used.

Tying your own flies is lots of fun and very satisfying. If your motivation is to save some money however, be ready for disappointment! You may save money in the long run assuming you enough of whatever prompts you to buy some specialized type of hackle, bead, dubbing, hair, etc.

Don't get me wrong - I really enjoy it and have no intentions f stopping. It is a great way to participate in fishing when you can't get to the river, and can help promote deeper understanding of the insects and their lifecycle.

One thing I'd recommend that you consider: making yourself a belly board - kind of a portable tray that can sit on your lap so you can tie while sitting on the couch with your family or outside on nice days. That way you're not banished to Coventry while you tie.

It's pretty satisfying to catch fish on flies I've tied. I wish you the same satisfaction!

Fixed the NFR, LOL. Thanks for the tips, much appreciated. I'm thinking that tying flies will make me better at fly fishing with giving me a better understanding of what it takes to catch fish. Like everyone says, catching a fish on a fly that you've tied will give you a lot of satisfaction in the end..

cdnred · May 21, 2022

ABITNF said:
Select six flies you like to fish and buy the material to tie them. Once you can tie them well, you'll probably be able to use the abilities you have achieved to tie many other flies.

Buying a lot of stuff that comes with a few of the things you want isn't a wise financial choice. Often you'll find stuff available on Craigslist that looks good but be careful. Avoid cluttering up your space with stuff you'll never use. I know because I have a 50 year collection of this. There needs to be a Tying Materials Anonymous group for people like me.

It's a very rewarding pastime and it connects us to fly fishing when we can't be fly fishing. Best of luck!

That was my thoughts as well, I didn't want to over indulge with buying a kit at first. Plenty of time to acquire what's needed along the way. The trouble with kits are that the material is usually cheap and a lot of it will never get used..

Norm Frechette · May 21, 2022

Norm Frechette · May 21, 2022

tightline on you tube has some of the best beginner tying videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz42K_a_F18TPXaszSdbGSxp-MXTun_Ga

cdnred · May 21, 2022

Norm Frechette said:
tightline on you tube has some of the best beginner tying videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz42K_a_F18TPXaszSdbGSxp-MXTun_Ga

Not any fly tying classes around me but have seen some videos on the Orvis website plus they also list the recipes for each fly as well. Very helpful for learning to tie..

Zak · May 21, 2022

" get a multi package of threads with a variety of colors to cover all the options for different patterns or would it be best to buy individual spools..? Are there any preferred colors to get over others, same goes for hackle/feathers and other materials..?"

I would get individual spools of thread. I could be content with Danville's 6/0 waxed nylon in olive (it is a dark brownish olive). Black is good, too. Or, you could get a spool of white thread and a selection of colored permanent markers. If you get into spinning hair, you'll want heavier thread.

For materials, I like natural materials in their natural colors the best. A full hare's mask will let you create dubbing in a range of colors.

I agree with the advice above. Pick a pattern and get the materials for that pattern, then tie a couple of dozen. Repeat with a new pattern. You will build up a collection of materials and your tying skills at the same time.

It's a great hobby!

Zak · May 21, 2022

I think this book is great:

Amazon.com: Essential Trout Flies: 50 Indispensable Patterns with Step-by-Step Instructions for 300 Most Useful Variations eBook : Hughes, Dave: Kindle Store

Buy Essential Trout Flies: 50 Indispensable Patterns with Step-by-Step Instructions for 300 Most Useful Variations: Read Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

cdnred · May 21, 2022

Zak said:
" get a multi package of threads with a variety of colors to cover all the options for different patterns or would it be best to buy individual spools..? Are there any preferred colors to get over others, same goes for hackle/feathers and other materials..?"

I would get individual spools of thread. I could be content with Danville's 6/0 waxed nylon in olive (it is a dark brownish olive). Black is good, too. Or, you could get a spool of white thread and a selection of colored permanent markers. If you get into spinning hair, you'll want heavier thread.

For materials, I like natural materials in their natural colors the best. A full hare's mask will let you create dubbing in a range of colors.

I agree with the advice above. Pick a pattern and get the materials for that pattern, then tie a couple of dozen. Repeat with a new pattern. You will build up a collection of materials and your tying skills at the same time.

It's a great hobby!

I agree, best to take it slow with just a few patterns at first..

ABITNF · May 21, 2022

cdnred said:
That was my thoughts as well, I didn't want to over indulge with buying a kit at first. Plenty of time to acquire what's needed along the way. The trouble with kits are that the material is usually cheap and a lot of it will never get used..

Very much so. If you have a fly club nearby consider becoming a member. These are usually a great resource.

SurfnFish · May 21, 2022

Tying classes at the local shop...mine were from Rich Younger, known for both tying skills and sense of humor...the laughs around the table during weekly lessons was alone worth the attendance..

Dennisoft · May 21, 2022

A bit of thread hijacking, but does anybody know if Emerald Water will be bringing back their tying classes anytime soon?

EmergingFisher · May 21, 2022

All of the above. Tightline/Orvis videos are great, also check out Barry Ord Clarke and Davie McPhail.

Just know you’re gonna need a lot more storage and funds then you think! It’s a great hobby and you learn a lot.

Old406Kid · May 21, 2022

Before you get too far into it you might want to get out some marabou to test the strength of your marriage.

Buzzy · May 21, 2022

Old406Kid said:
Before you get too far into it you might want to get out some marabou to test the strength of your marriage.
View attachment 14906

Marabou with some of the mad scientists rubber too.....

, eh!

SurfnFish · May 21, 2022

buy a hand vac and keep it next to the tying bench for clean up, that way you won't see the cats and dogs wandering around the house with marabou and flash strands in their coats..lol

cdnred · May 22, 2022

SurfnFish said:
buy a hand vac and keep it next to the tying bench for clean up, that way you won't see the cats and dogs wandering around the house with marabou and flash strands in their coats..lol

I can see where that might bring up @Old406Kid's point of testing the strength of your marriage..