Fly Tying Shopping List?

[flyfisher]

I would say buy individually when it comes to tools. Alot of the kits are geared towards trout flies which if you are tying bass flies you won't use as often.

Also, when it comes to scissors go try them out in the store if you can. Some scissors will fit your hand better than others.

Get a good pair of scissors, a bobbin and a whip finishing tool (or learn to do it by hand).

I i would also recommed getting a second pair of cheaper scissors to cut lead and other weight materials so you are not dulling your good scissors.

[59Bassman]

You've been given very good advice so far. Realize that every fly tyer is different, and you're going to develop your own tastes and tools as you go. What's right for me probably won't work for you.

That said, just buying a vise is a great way to start. Your first vise will likely not be your last if you stick with it. I'm on my 4th now. Buy quality and it'll always pay off in the long run. For bobbin holders, you're going to want to try a bunch of them, and you'll figure out what your favorites are. I recommend going with the more expensive ones that have ceramic tubes or tips. They're a bit more fragile, but will last much longer without cutting your thread.

When you start buying materials, don't buy "kits" with a bunch of different materials. That's how a lot of companies get rid of the remnants and materials they can't charge full price for. Buy good quality materials from the start, and you'll enjoy it more. Good materials are much easier to work with than sub-par materials.

Do you have an idea what flies you want to start tying? Buy the materials for JUST THAT FLY, in one color. After you've tied a couple dozen of that, you'll be ready for the next fly. You'll still have leftover materials from the first, and you may realize that you only need a couple things for the second fly. Tie a couple dozen of the second, then go for the third...etc. Eventually you'll get to a fly that you know you will want in a bunch of colors. Buy materials in those colors then.

My 3 go-to flies for bass fishing are wooly buggers (the ideal beginner fly), clouser minnows (slightly more advanced), and dremel foam poppers (very easy to make, but need a dremel tool to make them). Depending on what you're fishing for and where, these may not be the best choices. But they're a pretty solid box-filler.

Another thing to consider is to use saltwater-capable hooks for your bass flies where possible. Almost all of my subsurface bass flies are tied on either a Mustad 34007, Mustad 34011, or Eagle Claw 413. That way when I head to saltwater, my bass flies can pull double-duty as redfish flies. Topwater flies get tied on Tiemco 8089 or Gamakatsu B10S.

My suggestion would be to buy two packs of Mustad 34011 hooks in a size 4 or 6, some olive marabou, .25 diameter lead wire, olive heavier thread (I like UTC thread in the heavier weights), some olive medium chenille, medium copper wire, pearl krystal flash, and olive strung rooster hackle. This will get you everything you need to tie the olive wooly bugger. If a fish won't eat an olive wooly bugger, it's not worth fishing for.

[Phish]

You've been given very good advice so far. Realize that every fly tyer is different, and you're going to develop your own tastes and tools as you go. What's right for me probably won't work for you.

That said, just buying a vise is a great way to start. Your first vise will likely not be your last if you stick with it. I'm on my 4th now. Buy quality and it'll always pay off in the long run. For bobbin holders, you're going to want to try a bunch of them, and you'll figure out what your favorites are. I recommend going with the more expensive ones that have ceramic tubes or tips. They're a bit more fragile, but will last much longer without cutting your thread.

When you start buying materials, don't buy "kits" with a bunch of different materials. That's how a lot of companies get rid of the remnants and materials they can't charge full price for. Buy good quality materials from the start, and you'll enjoy it more. Good materials are much easier to work with than sub-par materials.

Do you have an idea what flies you want to start tying? Buy the materials for JUST THAT FLY, in one color. After you've tied a couple dozen of that, you'll be ready for the next fly. You'll still have leftover materials from the first, and you may realize that you only need a couple things for the second fly. Tie a couple dozen of the second, then go for the third...etc. Eventually you'll get to a fly that you know you will want in a bunch of colors. Buy materials in those colors then.

My 3 go-to flies for bass fishing are wooly buggers (the ideal beginner fly), clouser minnows (slightly more advanced), and dremel foam poppers (very easy to make, but need a dremel tool to make them). Depending on what you're fishing for and where, these may not be the best choices. But they're a pretty solid box-filler.

Another thing to consider is to use saltwater-capable hooks for your bass flies where possible. Almost all of my subsurface bass flies are tied on either a Mustad 34007, Mustad 34011, or Eagle Claw 413. That way when I head to saltwater, my bass flies can pull double-duty as redfish flies. Topwater flies get tied on Tiemco 8089 or Gamakatsu B10S.

My suggestion would be to buy two packs of Mustad 34011 hooks in a size 4 or 6, some olive marabou, .25 diameter lead wire, olive heavier thread (I like UTC thread in the heavier weights), some olive medium chenille, medium copper wire, pearl krystal flash, and olive strung rooster hackle. This will get you everything you need to tie the olive wooly bugger. If a fish won't eat an olive wooly bugger, it's not worth fishing for.

Well said.
But..... the 34007/340011 hooks are more expensive and the 3407DT are much better price and with same profile.

[Phish]

Also you do not not need need rotorary vise, its nice but not really needed plus you are bypassing a learning step IMO. Learning to tie a fly this way makes you a better tyer.
There are many reat vises but not much in the way under 100 bucks but an extra 50 buck should.

I been tying on a Regal and love it! My favorites are still HMH tho but a Peak or Atlas will prolly be 2 that I would highly recommend at the start and will last you forever. Just stay away from Griffin and that plastic junk!

[Not2Day]

You've been given very good advice so far. Realize that every fly tyer is different, and you're going to develop your own tastes and tools as you go. What's right for me probably won't work for you.

That said, just buying a vise is a great way to start. Your first vise will likely not be your last if you stick with it. I'm on my 4th now. Buy quality and it'll always pay off in the long run. For bobbin holders, you're going to want to try a bunch of them, and you'll figure out what your favorites are. I recommend going with the more expensive ones that have ceramic tubes or tips. They're a bit more fragile, but will last much longer without cutting your thread.

When you start buying materials, don't buy "kits" with a bunch of different materials. That's how a lot of companies get rid of the remnants and materials they can't charge full price for. Buy good quality materials from the start, and you'll enjoy it more. Good materials are much easier to work with than sub-par materials.

Do you have an idea what flies you want to start tying? Buy the materials for JUST THAT FLY, in one color. After you've tied a couple dozen of that, you'll be ready for the next fly. You'll still have leftover materials from the first, and you may realize that you only need a couple things for the second fly. Tie a couple dozen of the second, then go for the third...etc. Eventually you'll get to a fly that you know you will want in a bunch of colors. Buy materials in those colors then.

My 3 go-to flies for bass fishing are wooly buggers (the ideal beginner fly), clouser minnows (slightly more advanced), and dremel foam poppers (very easy to make, but need a dremel tool to make them). Depending on what you're fishing for and where, these may not be the best choices. But they're a pretty solid box-filler.

Another thing to consider is to use saltwater-capable hooks for your bass flies where possible. Almost all of my subsurface bass flies are tied on either a Mustad 34007, Mustad 34011, or Eagle Claw 413. That way when I head to saltwater, my bass flies can pull double-duty as redfish flies. Topwater flies get tied on Tiemco 8089 or Gamakatsu B10S.

My suggestion would be to buy two packs of Mustad 34011 hooks in a size 4 or 6, some olive marabou, .25 diameter lead wire, olive heavier thread (I like UTC thread in the heavier weights), some olive medium chenille, medium copper wire, pearl krystal flash, and olive strung rooster hackle. This will get you everything you need to tie the olive wooly bugger. If a fish won't eat an olive wooly bugger, it's not worth fishing for.

Thanks for the tips 59Bassman!! I think that's the most helpful first post I've ever seen. Welcome to KBF!!!!

[Not2Day]

I took the wife to BassPro last night for our anniversary and picked up a selection of tools, a pheasant tail, thread and some hooks ($$$ OUCH). I gotta say, that woman puts up with a lot but I did take her out to dinner after.

Dang the stuff on that fly tying wall is expensive. I've already started looking at road kill in a whole new way. I sent a text to my buddy in Minnisota and told him I just spent $8 on a pheasant tail so when the season opens this fall I'll be expecting packages in the mail

Now, once my vise arrives in the mail, hopefully today or tomorrow I'll be ready to tie my first fly!!!!!

[knobcreekman]

The next time you're down this way to fish with Neo we should get together and tie.

[Not2Day]

The next time you're down this way to fish with Neo we should get together and tie.

Definately!!!

[flflash]

Dang the stuff on that fly tying wall is expensive. I've already started looking at road kill in a whole new way.

Carry a pair of clippers and some large ziplock bags with you at all times, long tongs can come in handy too Squirrel, deer and racoon tails work good for alot of things, I leave possums alone.
Hang the tails in the shed/garage to dry out for a couple months before using.

[Plasticpirogue]

Thanks for everyones help thus far. I now have a new Vise and a used book on order.

What's next? Tools? Materials?

Should I go with a tool kit or buy individual tools?

I know I need some good scissors, but what else?

Any recommendations on materials to start out or should I just try to find what I need as I start tyiing?

AJ, I have a Renzetti Traveler that is about 15 years old and I have never had the desire or need to get a different vice. Before that I had a Regal Medalion Rotary (not a true rotary) which is a wonderful vise, but the Renzetti Traveler is just hard to beat. Lots of good ones out there, but you would be hard pressed to really improve much over the little Traveler.

Tools....anything with the name Dr. Slick on them for scissors are good. Griffin makes good bobbins for the money, but I have three TMC (Tiemco) ceramics that I wouldn't trade for anything. Not even sure if they are still made honestly.

Let me give you one, (only one) other recommendation. GOOGLE "Feather-Craft". It's a fly fishing/fly tyeing specialty shop in St. Louis. BUT what you really want is to get a copy of the paper catalog. Not only does it have ALL the good stuff at competitive prices, it's a great "read". Not only entertaining, but very educational; in many cases it will tell you specifically what this "gizmo" is used for, or how to tie this specific fly. It's priceless, and a must read for a fly tyer.


Oh...one more thing (really, my last recommendation).....DO NOT buy a pre-packaged fly tyeing kit. They are junk. The tools are crap, the vise is cheap, and the materials are stuff that they can't sell by themselves.