Fly Tying Shopping List?

[Not2Day]

If you dont have a local fly shop close, internet order from a independent fly shop. I try to support them when ever possible, the big box giants will be just fine with out my green.

You are right, I'd rather support the little guy. I don't mind spending my money at the bigbox stores when they have the "sell more for less" thing going but in too many cases it's a "sell more for more" deal.
I plan to put in an internet order today after I put together a list of everything I'll need for my next few flies in tutorial I'm working through.

[Phish]

If you dont have a local fly shop close, internet order from a independent fly shop. I try to support them when ever possible, the big box giants will be just fine with out my green.

X2
Better service and knowledge.

[Peter E.]

Chartrues hackle is the same way, so is olive. And oh at the way dumbell eyes disappear.

[Maj Bob]

The advice given here is absolutely outstanding. Great place to learn. I've been tying now for almost 3 years. Got started through Project Healing Waters, also a terrific group. I started using tools and materials I bought from Hook & Hackle (http://www.hookhack.com), a great shop up in Pennsylvania. Also, I've had great success at Great Feathers here in Maryland. That's my closest fly shop, about 45 miles north. Their prices are very good and they're very responsive.

I have 4 vices now, the original Thompson, a Peak, a Regal and a Nor-Vise (you wouldn't believe how many wounded warriors started out with Healing Waters, bought all the gear, then quit tying and sold stuff at a great bargain!) I find that I use the Peak most often, and the Thompson when I go up to Walter Reed for tying classes.

I have had my best luck fishing for bass in the Mattawoman Creek and the Potomac using Gurgle-Pops, a spinoff of the Gartside Gurgler (sp?). It's also the easiest fly I've tied so far.

I wish you the best of luck,

Bob Hendry
Southern Maryland

[Padre]

Lots of really good advice here. Here are a few of my thoughts. You got a good vice. Don't look at any others at least for a while. None of them will make you a better tyer than the one you have now. That said, it will be hard not to look.

As others have said, stay away from kits. Dr. Slick razor scissors are about the best out there. The smaller ones work better for me. The Tiemco ceramic bobbins are superb. The saltwater ones are better in my opinion. You can use bigger thread with them, but they handle even 12/0 (tiny) thread very well. You don't need a whip finisher; it's easy to learn by hand, but if you get one, get the Matarelli. The others just don't compare.

Feather Craft is an awesome place to get stuff. They have just about everything, and they ship quickly. It's better than going to bass pro. If you'd rather support smaller businesses, i can put you touch with a couple of them that have great tying supplies also. Their staffs are very knowledgable as well.

Lots of good info on You Tube. Here's a link to one of the best out there. He's Scottish, so you have to deal with the accent, and most of his flies are not what you'd want to tie, but his skills are impeccable, and you can learn techniques from him that apply to any fly you want to tie. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=DavieMcPhail#g/u

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, your flies don't have to look perfect to be effective. Fly tyers are always our own worst enemies. Learn the wooly bugger and the clouser and then go fish them. There's nothing like catching a fish on your own fly.

Oh, and by the way, here's a link to some pics of my son tying his first fly.

http://speypages.com/speyclave/showthre ... ck%27s+fly

[WhiskeyWrangler]

Best thing I can say is the recommendations are spot on. But, remember it is just like your fishing tackle and kayak choice. It is an extremely personal choice.

For me I like GSP thread. But many others will only use it for specific things. My roommate doesn't like my regal because he feels that the jaws get in the way. And my favorite part of the vise is the jaw.

As for scissors.... I go to hobby lobby (or whatever) and buy a bunch of cheapo sewing scissors. They work great, and if I forgot to grab the "junk" scissors I am not that upset.

And check out The Dungeon. They manufacture their own tying material. It isn't a wide, wide selection but the prices cannot be beat.

[Phish]

I had a reall y bad experience with Dungeon that I can not possibly even recommend buying from them.
Another fine materials shop is Janns Netcraft, they are great to deal with and fast and honest!

For eyes look no further then BogsBait.com

[TheCream]

I had a reall y bad experience with Dungeon that I can not possibly even recommend buying from them.
Another fine materials shop is Janns Netcraft, they are great to deal with and fast and honest!

For eyes look no further then BogsBait.com

I'll back Phish up on that, my experience with Fly Tyers Dungeon was not great. The material I ordered was good and the prices are great, but man was it ever slow in getting to me. I can order from a place like Bear's Den, Feather-Craft, or J Stockard and have my order in a few days. My order from FTD took over 3 weeks to get to me, and nearly did not arrive in time for me to use what I ordered (and needed) to tie for a short trip I was about to go on. I won't order from FTD again after that experience.

[Ruffells]

If you dont have a local fly shop close, internet order from a independent fly shop. I try to support them when ever possible, the big box giants will be just fine with out my green.

My only problem with that is that being an inexperienced fly tier, I don't exactly know what things are with out physically holding them or how much or how big (like a hook) things exactly are. Until I become more experienced and can standardize things I have to stick to BPS. Although I was lucky enough to stop by a fly shop in Atlanta last month. I was excited til I saw prices still ended up spending more money then I should have.

[Doogie]

Here is a great series on the fly-tying basics from Dave Cammiss. He starts you out with the most basic, and quickly gets you some experience with different techniques. Start with lesson 1, and work your way through them. Most importantly, have fun!