Tying Lessons

[flasher]

Hey guys any ideas on where to get some good lessons on a regular basis without having to join a group of guys on specific nights? My schedule doesn't work well with the every thurs etc.. night. Missed the WFFC lessons that would have been perfect for me on Mercer Island maybe next year.

Anyone used a griffin MT Mongoose? I have one coming and wondered if I did ok

[Bert Kinghorn]

Avid Angler in Lake Forest Park Shopping center has some great tiers showing their tricks most Saturdays between noon and 2:00PM until the end of March. They are free.

[Kent Lufkin]

Lessons are gonna mean scheduling which sounds like something that won't work for you. Instead, try teaching yourself. Thankfully, fly tying isn't like doing rocket surgery so it's pretty easy to pick up.

Get a good beginning book with a series of increasingly difficult, step-by-step exercises. Start at the beginning and work your way through. If you run into a problem, ask someone online for help.

Try Randall Kaufmann's 'Tying Nymphs'. Get the spiral bound edition so it lies flat on your bench. Once you've worked your way through the book, then get the companion volume 'Tying Dry Flies' and do the same.

[flasher]

good ideas thanks

[Rob Blomquist]

I totally disagree with teaching yourself. Fly tying is rough for most people to learn until they get some real lessons. And it actually is a form of rocket science, as you won't hook a rocket on your own fly until you get it figured out.

You want to get lessons, usually they come in 4 or 6 block groups, and many places do them twice a week.

I your area I would check out Creekside, Orvis, and Kaufmans to see if they were offering lessons. If that really bugs you, you could try to bribe one of us that knows how to tie to start you out.

Some of us are still taking lessons, as its easier to make a mess on a hook than to tie a good looking fly. The more I get into fly tying the more I see about how involved it is.

Rob

[jlange]

Tightloops,
I respectfully totally disagree with you. There are plenty of resources to teach yourself how to tie flies. Many websites have step by step instructions and books now days are incredible. There are advanced techniques and tricks that can only be learned from taking classes but getting started is easy. Take it from a guy who learned how to whip finish by getting instructions online.

Jason

"10% of the anglers catch 90% of the fish." Happy fishing!

[Andy]

I think anyone can teach themselves. I got one 10 minute lesson from Dreamchaser 2 years ago and I think I can tie some kick-a$$ flies. I dont use a hair-packer, I dont use a hitch-finisher (or whatever its called) and I still think my flies will catch just as many fish as anyone else's. (they just havent yet...)

:dunno


It does take a while and a couple hundred flies for each pattern before they look how you want them. I tied well over 100 marabou patterns before I tied one I wanted a fish to see.

Andy

[Andy]

I just cant get enough, I have to double post
Andy
:smokin

[Old Man]

It is true that you can teach yourself to tie flies and they can look pretty ratty, but there is nothing out there that compares to catching fish on something you tied up. I know as some of my flies look like hell but the funny thing is they work.

I seem to be getting better though as they are starting to look half way good now.

Jim

[East Fork]

20 years ago I taught myself to tie just like Fortuna suggests except Kaufman's dry fly book hadn't been published yet so I used another book. I even bought the Kaufman's materials kit so I would have everything I needed. It worked for me...thus I am living proof that you don't have to be a genius to teach yourself to tie serviceable flies. :)


Even so, I don't think anyone would argue that you can learn more efficiently from others even taking into account individual learning styles. :)

[Kent Lufkin]

>Even so, I don't think anyone would argue that you can
>learn more efficiently from others even taking into
>account individual learning styles. :)

No question whatsoever. But given the writer expressed the desire to learn but not the flexibility to attend classes, there aren't many other options left.

I too taught myself to tie and it's certainly not for everyone. But a dedicated person will find a way to get whatever information he needs wherever he can find it.

[Mike Etgen]

New River Mike

As is so often the case, no one is right or wrong on this. Everyone has different learning styles, so for some people looking at a book or blueprint is adequate, while for others, seeing something done first hand is critical.

I'm a hands-on learner myself (show me how and let me try it a while and I'm good to go) so a few Saturday mornings at a free tying clinic in Kennewick last year were just my ticket. Once I had some basics, my real success has come from repetition, making mistakes and learning from them, and even from experimenting. Plus I'll tear down a fly if it doesn't turn out right, and then I'll stay with it until it's right.

That's just my experience. I don't think I'm a great tyer, but most of my flies turn out well enough to suit me and I do catch fish on them, and I've had a ball tinkering with designs and materials and coming up with variations on standards.

If you feel lessons will help you, then they will, and you shouldn't feel like you should have been able to learn it from a book or video.

By the way, the Old Man does tie some nice flies, as he's recently sent me some of the woven flies he's been doing. I know, however, that until I can watch someone tie them, all the online photos in the world just won't help me with that method. I've tried!

That's my two coins. However you get there, you'll have a great time once you get some confidence.

:thumb

[Couleeflyfisher]

I've just seen pictures of the Griffin Mongoose, pretty awesome looking vise and should be fine. I've got Regals, Thompsons and a few others, the Griffin Patriot is one of my favorites and usual go to vise. Griffin products are first class, made in USA. A good book by Skip Morris, Randy Kaufmann or similar will be a great help in learning techniques. I'm sure you have an assortment of flies already to use for sample patterns, get some basic materials and go for it. If you have any fly tying buddies they can give you some add'l tips or lessons and help in selection of tying materials. It's definitely not Rocket Science, and a great feeling to catch the first few fish on your own flies. Good Luck!!!

[Kent Lufkin]

Mike makes a good point about the value of repetition. There's nothing like tying a dozen of the same pattern to get it down. That's why participating in fly swaps is so beneficial.

Also glad to hear I'm not the only one who will cut the dressing off a poorly-tied fly and start over with just the hook. Guess that's one of the reasons I tie so slowly :-D

[Wazoo]

I would agree that you can definitely teach yourself how to tie some great flies. But it sure is nice if you have someone to learn a few of the quick basics and understand that somethings that look pretty bad to start with turn out just right.

If you are interested drop me an email. I would be happy to help out with the basics and then send you on your way to learn and develop. No matter how many classes, you take the only way to really improve the final flies is to tie over and over. and maybe have someone look over your shoulder from time to time.

Wazoo

[dmoocher]

Excellent choice on the vice...what you'll find as a beginner is that the side of the fly facing you won't look anything like the side you can't see. This was an ongoing problem 'till I got my Renzetti.

I firmly believe a rotary vice allows you to tie better flies!

[FishPirate]

I taught myself how to tie about 15 yrs ago with a Thompson A and Jack Dennis' book. I shouldn't have waited so long! If you go through his book, pattern by pattern, at the end you will be able to tie 90+ percent of the patterns out there, and your flies will look better than 90 percent of the tiers out there!

Start with a wooly worm and a griffith's gnat, and pay attention to the fundamental proportions and you can't go wrong. Only purchase what is absolutely necessary at the beginning, and slowly build up your material base as needed for individual patterns. Don't get overwhelmed by all of the specialized materials and gadgets, they are used more to catch fisherman than fish.

Best of luck,

FP

[weekend warrior]

I agree with everyone who believes that you can teach yourself to tie. Sure fly tying classes are helpful but there too damn exspensive. i find it more helpful with a very well put together book on fly tying. IE: Benchside Reference.This book has everything and then some. My first fly i tied was a bloody muddler.. It looked like shit but man did i hook a hog on that one. Never will forget that day. Anyways buy a book dont pay for classes.:thumb

[Mike Etgen]

New River Mike

Every time my wife (bless her heart) asks me why I don't try selling some of my flies, I explain to her that at my tying rate, and assuming my time to be worth minimum wage, I'd have to get about five dollars apiece for my flies.
And I don't EVEN get into the quality issue...


:7

[Old Man]

Mike,not to change the subject. But Mine asks almost the same questions. Like if you know of so many places to catch fish why don't you put it in a book and I tell her that anybody can find these places. But it will probably take them 40 years like it did me.

I'm going fishing with flasher tomorrow and I have two books to loan him. "Beginners Guide to Flytying" By Curtis Mann and Terry Griffiths and "American Nymph Fly Tying Manual" By Randall Kaufmann. These should help him on his way as they helped me a little. I said a little as I'm really beyond help.

Jim

[luv2fly2]

one tip i use in my fly classes is if you have trouble with a concept work on that. for example if tailing is the problem then tie on a tail, cut it off and tie on a tail , cut it off, etc. this helped me with hair wings. for beginners the jam knot is tough. also learning to use a whip finisher, do it over and over without tying a fly until the idea is mastered.

[Big K1]

I agree that you can teach yourself. That is how I learned to
tie trout flies. I did take a class 3 years ago with Glenn Wilson
on spey and dee flies and I am glad I did. It would be kind of
hard I think to figure out the sequence on those two styles of flies
without someone showing you. At least it was for me.
If you want to tie some of the more complex flies it may
be worth a class. I paid $75.00 for a class that was 4 two hour classes.

Kevin

[Mike Monsos]

When I learned how to tie I used video tapes and a pattern book. To learn some of the methods to make my fies come out better I would watch some pros on the videos. "Hooked on Fly Tying" helped me out a number of times and I can go back and review them when I need to at my convience. They have the whole catalog at ffvm.com (Fly Fishing Video Magazine) You might be able to rent them at a fly shop or check out the online king county library catalog.

[Roper]

It's always interesting to see what gets debated around here.
IMHO, you should do whatever you can afford. There's nothing like getting advice/feedback while you're doing something. Try asking a book if your fly looks right...

On the other hand, I basically learned from books. Amato puts out lots of good "how to" books on fishing and tying subjects. The best ones show you step by step who to tie a pattern. One by Phil Rowley even discusses how to vary the pattern for your particular area.
If you're at either of the show the next two weekends, see if there is an Amato booth and check out their books.

Roper,

Good things come to those who wade...

[miyawaki]

If you want to teach yourself, go to the Meydenbauer show this weekend and hang out at the flytyers table and ask questions.

Leland.

[Kent Lufkin]

You gonna be demonstrating your beach popper this year Leland?

[PeteM]

A decent online course can be found on Fly Anglers Online. Check it out before taking a class.

Pete

[miyawaki]

No I'm not. I will be at the show sunday, though. I spent an interesting evening at our WFFC meeting yesterday. Jack Gartside was our featured speaker. I met and fished with him way back in 1982 in Yellowstone. He tied his Gurglers last night as well as some awesome candlefish. We are to go fishing sometime today if the weather cooperates – maybe we'll have "popper-off" on Capt. Keith Robbins' boat.

Jack will be tying at Meydenbauer. I'd encourage all of you to go watch him tie.

Leland

[pwoens]

No one learns the same way. Try it on your own utilizing books, online resources, ect... If you are having a hard time and can afford the $$$ and allocation of time then sign up for a class.

I have learned everything on my own without a class. Some things I have picked up from dissecting other flies, reading books, watching videos, searching online, and watching others tie. There are some little tricks that you wont learn without guidance, but for the most part you can figure everything else out utilizing what has been mentioned. Best of luck and dont be affraid to ask questions.

~Patrick ><>

[hikepat]

I am of both Schools of thaught. You can learn to tie flies that catch fish on your own with maybe a little help in the right dirrection. But if you want to tie really good flies that will catch fishermen and that are true works of art you will need someone to help you. My flies will catch fish and since starting on tying after last years trip to Dry Falls. A quick leason on the whip finish from members from this board that were there and the Orvis book on fly tying with its just 6 paterns plus information from the internet. I have already learned to tie many types of flies for both salt and fresh water. I have now tied many hundred of flies some look good some that look pretty bad. I now feel that I am at a point were watching some other much better craftsmen at the art, will really build on the skills I have worked out on my own so far. I will most likely be spending a lot of time watching some of the masters at the show this Saturday if I can get myself to take a day off from fishing to go.
So I guess I feel you can learn to tie flies without lessons up to a point but at some point you will want to get some one to teach you some things as well.

[Jeremy Husby]

I taught my self how to tie. I have been tying for only 3 years and I sell some of my stuff to hook,line & sinker in Arlington. I also have a page I have been working on with some of my stuff. http://fishing.sinfree.net now if I could only teach mys elf good grammr :) just do it your self and develop your own style. www.flytyingworld.com is a great place to start learning. I think they have on-line classes, or was that sexyloops.com, I forget. Hit the library, thats the first place I started. Also If you are going to mainly be tying trout flies, pick up some books on entomology, and study the proportion of aquatic insects and how they look. Think of how you can make a hook look the same way.

[Stephen Rice]

I agree with most of what has been said here. I bought one of those cheapy fly kits for starters and started tying flies with that. Man what a "Mess" So I invested in a couple of books and I got that video tying western flies by Lani Waller(really good) then I got the Spey and Dee flies by John Shewey. and I have been only tying for two years. I didn't have anyone to check my work though. So I just took them down the fly shop (river city) and got opinions from the guys down there. I have gotten really good compliments from my flies. but you know what the ones I fish with are probably some of the badly tied flies and I doubt if I would ever use some of the speys or dees I have tied they are a work of art! I love to tie.:7

[flasher]

Wow great input from everyone here. Now If I could convince everyone to get together some night for beer and tying wouldn't that be fun:beer1 :beer2

[Mike Etgen]

New River Mike

That depends on how and when the beer gets drank and consequently what or who gets tied!

:7

[Old Man]

Well I set him up today when I met up with him(Flasher) on the Snoqualmie. I lent him two books and a video on tying with deer hair. This should hold him for a while. That is until I start screaming at him that I want my books back.LOL

Jim

[flasher]

Books? What books?? as for those maps i could always mail them to you:) I have to go watch a video now:thumb

Oldman you're alright but your secret is safe with me:thumb :thumb

[Old Man]

Maps,what Maps. Did I give you a couple of maps showing about 50 different fishing spots on two different rivers. I must of been out of my mine. Well not really as those are well know places. But I keep the good ones locked a way in my brain.

Jim

[Wakemaster]

As many of the fly tiers have indicated on this thread, one can certainly learn to tie flies by using books, videos and the like. And indeed, many of us are fundamentally self-taught fly tiers, including myself. However, I don't know of any of us self-schooled types who wouldn't have benefited greatly by having good instruction early on that would have made us better tiers a lot sooner.

If it is so darned simple, why is it that less than 20% of the members of your typical fly fishing club tie their own flies? As club members they presumably have better access to instruction than most. In my opinion some of it is due to having higher expections of the level that one can tie at than is realistic to expect even with instruction readily available.

If you want to improve the odds get some good instruction. And yes, I think that you are headed in the right direction as you were inquiring about fly clubs in the area on another thread.

Good luck! :thumb