I think it's about time to take the plunge. After seeing some of the fly's you all are tying I am convinced thats the way to go. Question is what should i purchase to get started, I don't need top notch stuff, just something decent. Is one of those kits the way to go ? Probably not . I know i will need a vise, bobbin, scissors, and maybe a whip finisher, what other tools are needed. I'm not gonna do anything fancy, just some midges and some basic nymphs to get started.
Seems how you fish Putah quite a bit you may want to get a vise with midge jaws. This allows you to use smaller hooks more easily. I recommend a Regal vise with midge jaws. I've been using a Regal vise for 10 years now. They're really easy to use. I'm thinking of getting midge jaws myself. I've been using the standard jaws, but about a year ago I chipped the jaws. The standard jaws just don't like #24 hooks.
I would buy a couple of bobbins, so you don't have to constantly change spools. You'll want some good scissors. I have a pair of heavy duty scissors that cut all of the tough materials. I also have a pair of medium-sized scissors to take care of my general cutting needs. I have a pair of small scissors as well for cutting hackle fibers and other small materials. A whip finisher is also a good investment. I used to finish flies by hand. It is so much faster with a whip finishing tool.
Once you start fly tying, you will never look at the world in the same way. Your pet dog, the neighbor's cat, and your wife's fur coat suddenly become more appealing.
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I think most of the better vises can hold a couple of different sized jaws. There are also some jaw designs that can accommodate a wider range of hook sizes. It just depends on your preferences. For example, standard Regal jaws hold hooks from #3/0 to #18. Regal midge jaws hold #6 to #32 hooks.
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
Captain, you may want to consider taking a flytying class. Most flyfishing shops offer them as well as most flyfishing clubs. They are ususally pretty reasonable and they will speed up your learning process. Once you learn the fundamentals in the class, you can take off on your own and focus on the types of flies you like to tie.
I completely agree with JT with purchasing a solid vise that meets the needs of midges/small hooks and NoHackle with a class or club. Generally, individuals/friends would be more than happy to sit down one evening to help get you started...My father-in-law did just that a few times. I later paid for a class at my local fly shop. Also, look into having one very good pair of scissors for precise cutting only. I've heard of some people spending way too much just to find out that tying wasn't for them...
JT, I have not gone so far as to look at roadkill differently...yet...
__________________
There's no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm...
Lol Dutchman. Neither have I, but I have used my dog's hair, the poly-filling from pillows, feathers from my kid's dress-up clothes, copper wiring from discarded electrical cords, and the frayed pills from my old wool sweaters for dubbing. The sky's the limit.
I know it's off-topic but I'd love to hear what other strange stuff people have used to tie their flies.
I have the most basic vise it's hilarious. An old Thompson classic or something? Get a rotary, I probably would have learned faster if I started with one but I'll never switch. Get materials based on the flies you want to fish with. Start with #16 and go down or up from there. Pheasant tail nymph and the Copper John is a good place to start. Little zebra midges too. I recommend at least two bobbins so you don't have to switch every time you change colors. I have four loaded at all times. The hooks you want are TMC 2457, 2487, 921, 200R, 3761, 3769 and some streamer hooks for buggers.
I really like my Dyna King vise, it's a Dyna-King Barracuda Junior Trekker. It was about $200 but well worth the investment....and they are made in California in Cloverdale. You're in Martinez right? Creative Sports has fly tying classes and is a great place for materials.
hey captain i started tying flies about a year ago. Cabelas has a great deal on its "fly tying Grab Bag". I just purchased it because i was running very low on supplies, and i coulden't resist $15 bucks for the whole bag of goddies.
Note: the bag is smaller then the oversized blown-up photo online makes it look.
