Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

On Mar 29, 6:55 pm, "Tom Nakashima" wrote:
I earlier posted Altering Dry Flies to Wet Flies question, and
some suggested that I start to learn to tie the flies to get a better
understanding.
I think they're right.
recommendations for starter fly-tying?
Kits? Purchasing items separate? Books?
-tom

You can also find some videos for beginners here;

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/showpost....4&postcount=10

TL
MC

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

On Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:55:06 -0700, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

I earlier posted Altering Dry Flies to Wet Flies question, and
some suggested that I start to learn to tie the flies to get a better
understanding.
I think they're right.
recommendations for starter fly-tying?
Kits? Purchasing items separate? Books?
-tom

IMO, get a Thompson "A," an enclosed bobbin, GOOD scissors, a bodkin,
some hemostats, and a scalpel. Then decide what patterns you wish to
tie. Look at the recipes and determine what materials you need. If you
_need_ more tools, then get them. Buy only what you _need_ to tie those
patterns you wish to tie. And don't get a whip tool at first - learn to
do it by hand, and then, if you feel the need, get a tool.

If you are generally "handy," just start tying from the recipes, which
are available on the web and any number of books. Tying, short of
full-dress salmons and the like, isn't particularly difficult if you are
generally "handy." If you aren't particularly "handy," and there's
nothing "wrong" with being such, there is at least some sort of tying
group, club, class, etc. in the Palo Alto area, I'm sure.

And whether you want/need instruction or are comfortable simply learning
from the web/books, try to learn from someone who is the same
"handedness" as you - IOW, if you're left-handed, try to find pics
showing left-handed tyers, or learn from a left-hander.

If you decide you like tying, and feel the need, then move up to
whatever of the several styles of "better" vises are available, but I'd
suggest trying as many as possible before you purchase.

Since you probably won't see this, it probably can't help,
R

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

Larry L wrote:

[snip of good advice just so I can nitpick one little thing]

Oh, one more plug ... if you are seeking CDC .... TroutHunter in Last
Chance, Id. ( again they have a phone and can be trusted :-) there just
isn't any comparison to CDC you'll find elsewhere

Actually, there may be. I've heard great things about Harrop's
stuff, but Marc Petitjean's CDC is the best I've ever used, by a long
shot. Interesting colors and really top-flight feathers.

The problem was, until fairly recently you couldn't find it here in
the states, but it appears that has changed:
http://www.bearlodgeangler.com/marc_petitjean.htm


Chuck Vance (no affiliation; that's just a site I ran across when
doing a Google search on Petitjean)

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

On 29 Mar 2007 17:21:12 GMT, Scott Seidman
wrote:

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in news:eugr19$q3v$1
:

I earlier posted Altering Dry Flies to Wet Flies question, and
some suggested that I start to learn to tie the flies to get a better
understanding.
I think they're right.
recommendations for starter fly-tying?
Kits? Purchasing items separate? Books?
-tom



Tom--

Start with a reliable vise, a good ceramic bobbin, a bodkin, some
scissors, hackle pliers, and a whip finish tool.

IMO, don't get the whip tool until you can do it without one. To me,
it's like learning to nail thing together with framing nailer or "do
math" by pushing calculator buttons. If you can't drive nails with a
hammer or add without HP, you'd better make damned sure you never need
to do so...and IMO, there's no way to do that...

TC,
R

Other reasonable advice snipped

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

On Mar 29, 2:36 pm, wrote:
IMO, get a Thompson "A," an enclosed bobbin, GOOD scissors, a bodkin,
some hemostats, and a scalpel.

Lest this gem of advice get lost in the info about other materials,
tutorials, & other - rdean highlighted my favorite advice: GOOD
SCISSORS. When you hit the fly shop, you'll be shocked at what these
things cost; but there are few things better to have than good, sharp
scissors; and few things more frustrating than dull, cheap ones. I'd
rather have a cheap vise and good scissors than the reverse.

(And instead of (or until) a scalpel, a single edge razor blade will
do just fine.)

Joe F.

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

BJ Conner wrote:

Go over to the electronics lab and steal a set of these. Best hackle
pliers made.
http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Pro...0B01802085E17F

Agrred. Ever sice I started using mine, I've never looked back.

And if you don't have a lab handy, go the Radio Shack and ask for
their test probe adapter clips. Should set you back about $4.

In addition start with the material to tie 2 or 3 patterns and tie and
tie and tie.

That's probably the best advice of all. And as strange as it
sounds, enetering a swap wouldn't be such a bad idea, especially if it
was a "beginner's swap" with constructive criticism given by experienced
tiers. A swap will force you to learn a pattern very quickly.


Chuck Vance (of course it could also turn you off from tying
altogether :-)

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

"Conan The Librarian" wrote


Actually, there may be. I've heard great things about Harrop's stuff,
but Marc Petitjean's CDC is the best I've ever used, by a long shot.
Interesting colors and really top-flight feathers.

The problem was, until fairly recently you couldn't find it here in the
states, but it appears that has changed:
http://www.bearlodgeangler.com/marc_petitjean.htm


Chuck Vance (no affiliation; that's just a site I ran across when
doing a Google search on Petitjean)


In the sake of accuracy I should have said "that I've ever seen" or
something similar .... but aside coming I often find that if I were to
include all the disclaimers needed to avoid 'nitpickers' around here, a
369KB post would still end up all disclaimer and no information G end
aside Thanks Chuck, I'll get some petijean and try it


I also "think" but will not testify in court that Harry over at
http://www.troutflies.com/ sells Harrop CDC and he's a California boy, and.
thus, better than avearge G ( except maybe at spelling )

TOM, Harry's site also has Excellent tying tutorials for some patterns
here's one for the classic "first fly"

http://www.troutflies.com/tutorials/hares_ear/

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

"rb608" wrote


tutorials, & other - rdean highlighted my favorite advice: GOOD
SCISSORS. When you hit the fly shop, you'll be shocked at what these
things cost; but there are few things better to have than good, sharp


Absolutely ... cheap = worthless .... get the best and treat them like you
paid as much for them as,.. well ... you'lll have to.

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

I agree with all the advice so far, but I must admit that I bought a
kit and I've been pretty happy with it so far. It came from Gander
Mtn. and was made by Rumpf. It was around 30 bucks and for the money I
think it was a good deal. It came with all kinds of stuff, including
vise, scissors, feathers, dubbing, head cement, bobbin, bodkin. simple
book, thread, tinsel, rubber legs, so much stuff I can't even name it
all, pretty much everything thing you would need. But it was a little
light on hooks, only like a dozen or so nymph dry and streamer hooks.
But still that is 3 dozen flies for 30 bucks, and enough crap left
over that I've tied well over 75 flies and have probably only spent 50
bucks total on new hooks and a few other odds and ends.

So personally I would reccomend the Rumpf, I know you don't get "GOOD"
quality stuff, but hey it got me tying without having to bore the
clerk at my fly shop with questions for two hours, or lament over
spending big bucks on a big fancy vise...

-Ethan

Recommendations for starter fly-tying.
 

On 29 Mar 2007 11:44:28 -0700, "rb608" wrote:

On Mar 29, 2:36 pm, wrote:
IMO, get a Thompson "A," an enclosed bobbin, GOOD scissors, a bodkin,
some hemostats, and a scalpel.

Lest this gem of advice get lost in the info about other materials,
tutorials, & other - rdean highlighted my favorite advice: GOOD
SCISSORS. When you hit the fly shop, you'll be shocked at what these
things cost; but there are few things better to have than good, sharp
scissors; and few things more frustrating than dull, cheap ones. I'd
rather have a cheap vise and good scissors than the reverse.

And don't use 'em for ANYTHING but tying. Trust me on this, and fight
the temptation.

(And instead of (or until) a scalpel, a single edge razor blade will
do just fine.)

The razor blade will work, of course. I have what I feel are important
reasons for a scalpel, though: first, the relatively large handle and
small blade are safer around a bench. A loose blade can get mixed up in
or otherwise in a place where it probably ought not to be a lot easier
than a scalpel, IMO/IME. And the handle also helps with control and,
um, "odd" usage techniques - for example, you can hold the scalpel in
your teeth...OTOH, picture if you will Frank holding a razor blade in
his teeth...plastic surgeons all over the area and several surrounding
states would be buying new Porsches, just on the off chance, and J & J
stock would jump 12%...

Seriously, there are all sorts of sources for "retired" medical scalpels
(and hemos, too) or simply buy a, um, not-quite-surgical-grade set (IOW,
a KPOS scalpel set). Or an Xacto "hobby chest" is a handy set for all
sorts of things - three handles, small, medium, and large and an
assortment of blades. I personally don't like Xactos with the pointed
"wedge" blade for general use (although for some things, they are just
the ticket), but the "hobby chest" has, or used to have, what looked
like a small scalpel blade on a small-handle Xacto type base in the
blade assortment.

TC,
R

Joe F.