Fly Tying gear

[Swandazi]

I'm new to fly fishing and i was wondering how much it would cost to get fly tying tools and materials.

Thanks,

:hmmm:

[Jerry Daschofsky]

It wouldn't take alot really. Just depends on what you plan to fish for, and what you want to start tying first. I'd suggest having a kit built (never liked premade kits, usually alot of junk in them). Head to a flyshop close to you (plenty of good sponsors who sell fly supplies) and have them custom make one for you. Say if you plan to do some steelheading, a inexpensive vice, a bobbin/threader, scissors, head cement, black thread, some chenille, some hackle, and some calftail will suffice (oh, you may need some hooks too lol). Will warn you, it's a bad addiction that'll cost you quite a bit.

Best to actually sit down at a shop and run it by them. You can get quite the variety of answers on here (depending on what you plan to tie), but it's a good step in figuring it out. Where in Washington are you at anyways?

[Swandazi]

Thanks for the info. I'll probly stop by my local fly shop and ask about what i can get for trout and bass.

"Where in Washington are you at anyways?"
I live in snohomish.

[Don Johnson]

Find a shop close to you, sign up for one of their fly-tying classes and see if you can work a deal to try a few different kinds of vises during the duration of the course or at least borrow or rent some tools. This will clue you in to whether it's really something you want to do and if so, you'll have a good baseline as to what vise you want to get. Then, get the best you can afford. You can scrimp on a lot of things; it's my opinion that one shouldn't do it on the vise. A good one lasts a lifetime and a bad one can be nothing short of maddening.

[Swandazi]

Oh yah, i have a one more question, How long does it take for an average beginer to tie an easy pattern?

[Jerry Daschofsky]

It all depends on the tyer really. Some people pick it up fast and excel fast. Some take years and never really go anywhere. I was self taught, so took a bit longer (mostly because I was figuring stuff out on my own, techniques and such). Time spent learning an easy pattern really depends on you. Wish I could give a better answer.

[Randy Diefert]

Stop by All about the Fly just down the road from you in Monroe. They're reall nice people and I'm sure that they can get you headed in the right direction. They also host a tyer's round table that is a little too far for me to travel to on the weeknight but, it sounds like alott of fun!
Good luck on your new adventure! you'll love it once you get the first fish on one that you tyed.
Randy Diefert

[Randy Diefert]

Answer to your second question. If you can tie a half hitch you can accomplish a beginners fly. Best thing that you could do for yourself is find out where they are having beginners classes and enroll in one. I know of one that'll be starting here on Whidbey Island soon Taught by the world renoun Gill Nyerges (of the Nyerges Nymph Fame). PM me your email address if you're interested and I'll get you "hooked-up" with him.:thumb: His Classes are usually alot of fun.

[mike doughty]

Tying your own flies is good to get into. one it is very gratifying to catch fish on your own flies, especially when you are a beginner and maybe not so impressed with your work, also it is cheaper to tie your own versus buying, unless you're like me where all you do is tie, tie and tie and buy so much crap that it's not cheap anymore.:thumb:

[Swandazi]

Ok, Thanks for the help every one. I found local class to sign up for.

[Pat M]

Ok, Thanks for the help every one. I found local class to sign up for.

Once you learn the basic patterns you can build from there. That will be the turning point on how much you will enjoy it before you invest into it.

just my .02
:p

[Old Man]

It can be habit forming and get expensive if you let it. You are always buying something new,not because you need it because you want it.

I did an inventory a few years ago and found that I had at the time about $700.00 into it and now I have a hell of a lot more into it.

Jim

[John Hicks]

Don't kid yourself you will never save money tying your own. I have found that there is always another cape or thread that I just have to get in order to tie that perfect fly. :beathead: I've spent a lot of money on material and still find things I have to buy. I guess with me I hate spending $1.95 on a fly that I know I can tie at home. :mad:

John