Two weeks ago I purchased my first vise, A real cheap contraption that one actually had to give it a good look to know it was even a fly tying vise. Well the jaws are now completely toast, There all spread open and bent and don't hold a hook. Very frustrating to say the least. So I ponyed up and got a regal rotary vise today and I tell ya what a differance a good vise makes. It holds the hook much tighter with about 1/10th the effort. So was curious, What vises do you guys use ? Also caught my first fish on home tyed fly's this past weekend, Actually several. What a huge confidence booster. But I will admit they were just basic midges.
a good vise makes an amazing difference! i started out with one like yours, an old vise that had about 15 years on it wheni got it. now i use a renzetti rotissary vise. I love it. it holds all sizes of hooks and really helps. what also helps me get better at tying is organization, which doesnt come easy at all... if your organized, you can tie quicker and more efficiently. making more flies allows for a quicker repair on your fly and it doesnt take as long to learn from your mistakes. a vise that holds the fly really makes a difference in alot of my flies.
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Fishing isn't a matter of life and death....
It's much more important.
I tie on an old hand me down regal which is working pretty well, but i have been eying the renzetti traveler more and more as my tying gets better. It feels good to catch a fish on a hand tied fly doesnt it shon? Although Icaught mine on a San Juan worm.
I've been eyeing the Renzetti traveller too. It looks like a damn good vice. I have a piece of sh*t cheap vice now. When I close the jaws to bight down hard on a small hook sitting high in the vise, I can see the metal bend out. Aaaaarrggh!! It's just hard to justify spending that much - every time I buy expensive fly tying materials or tools I think "How many flies is that?"
And after losing a steelhead this weekend to a crap reel, I'm tempted to spend those bucks on a new Galvan.
I tie on a Rensetti traveller, I like it, but my only complaint is that it does not have one of those rings which you can slide different material into while you are tying. I dont know what the thing is called, but it looks like a circular spring. Other than that one thing I really like the vice. Holds hooks as small as 24's! Which is a must if you wanna tie for putah.
You can get those springs from most well-stocked hardware stores. Here in Davis, Ace has a whole section full of springs. Just get a really light gauge spring with hook ends, and wrap it around and hook the ends together. Even on the most expensive vices, this is all the material holder is.
My first vise was a Renzetti Cam Traveller. It did the job until I started tying on large hooks (1/0 to 6/0). I ponied up for a Regal with the stainless steel jaws and the bronze pocket base. After a few thousand flies, mine is still going strong.
I've been using a Regal for 12 years. I chipped the jaws a while back tying a #24 midge. I just flipped the jaws over and haven't slowed down, but I'd like to get midge jaws for it eventually.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I have a Dyna King vise that has held up well. The jaws were getting bent out a bit, so I just filed them down. The vise actually works better with the filed down tip. I saw shon catching big brownies last weekend at Milton on those green midges he tied. The simple flies are the best. You don't always need to tie up a red headed, brown tailed, soft bellied wiggle wart... that takes half an hour to tie.
I've been using a Regal for 12 years. I chipped the jaws a while back tying a #24 midge. I just flipped the jaws over and haven't slowed down, but I'd like to get midge jaws for it eventually.
Regal will repair or replace the jaws for you for a small fee. If you can do without your vise for a two to three weeks, you may want to send it in. Regal's number is 978-544-6571. Regal is based out of Massachusettes, so make sure to call it before 2 PM west coast time.
Regal rotary vise, It was 200 bucks, works like a charm and should last forever. I had to change my screen name Eric, If you would have done the truckee run you would know why. I want my troutbum book back.
Haha, We're gonna have to go fishing so I can give it back to you. I think I have your dvd too. I think I have a good idea of why you changed your name. lol
