The beginner kit that most shops have is made by Umpqua Feather Merchants. It runs $69.99. It has a basic vise, tools, and materials to get you started. Most shops have it. If you can, drop by a local shop to look at it.
seabass - I once had a cheap kit and what I found is that I ended up replacing eveything. Instead I would suggest going to your local fly shop and ask them what they would recommend. Think of a few flies that you find yourself using a lot and get the materials you need to tie them.
I know it sounds weird, but you might as well put the money down now, instead of having to do it later. Most people who start tying get hooked. It becomes an obession.
WT is right. A vice, some hooks and two colors of thread will get you going. Look into your fly box and what you fish most confidently. Start with easy bugs that catch fish. The first two ties I could do were elk caddis for dries and buggers for underwater.
alright, thanks for the info. I hav been looking though at the orvis tying kits pretty seriously, how are those? I assume they are pretty good as orvis often has quality products. If not, then I will look into getting things separately. Thanks!!
Seabass, I agree with WT and Cole. You might also consider taking a fly tying course from a fly shop. The fly shop can help you with the basic equipment that you will need. The fly tying course will provide you with the basics of fly tying, including practice time.
Seabass, I mentioned a cheap starter set, but I didn't go that route when I started tying. If you are really serious about tying flies, you should buy everything individually. WT and Cole brought up good points.
In regards to kit vises and materials from Orvis. All the vises suck except for the $450 kit. That one has a good Regal vise. Materials are usually small samples. The problem with small samples is that you don't get the best quality control. For example, you'll probably be spending time trying to find a good feather to tie in. If you had a neck, you wouldn't spend a lot of time since the feather quality is better.
If you have a good shop in the area, take a class. The local shop that I go to in the Sacramento area has a three session tying class that runs $65 for all three sessions. I took that class, several years ago, and I haven't stopped tying. Hopefully you have a shop that has a similar tying program.
As others have said, don't bother with a cheap beginner kit, they are pretty much junk. For not too much more $ you can get a really good vice. The Dyna King Traveler is around $200 and I know Renzetti makes some nice ones around the same price. Orvis and others sell one called HMG or something like that that are decent price and seem to be good quality. Buy a nice one now and it will last you forever.
