Orvis Premium Fly Tying Kit?

Hi,

I'm a non-fly-tying fly fisherman - one of those - who finally thinks
he needs to get into tying.

I've combed your old posts, and read all your warnings against buying
a fly-tying kit... yet, still, I can't help but think that a good kit
might not be a bad way to go, simply for learning's sake. I
understand that I'll certainly be buying new materials (and not using
some that come with the kit), possibly buying some new tools later
on... and that overall it might not be the most cost-effective way to
go... but even so, I still can't help but think this might just make
things a bit easier to start.

With that in mind, does anyone have any thoughts on the Orvis Premium
Fly Tying Kit? I ask about this one because I'd seen a post back when
saying that it actually wasn't so bad...

Any thoughts on this, or suggestions for any other good kits, are
greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tim

Tim G. writes:

snip

Any thoughts on this, or suggestions for any other good kits, are
greatly appreciated.

You could possibly save yourself some money by seeing if you *enjoy* tying
flies. Many flyshops have lessons in the off-season (Nov-Mar), and many supply
the tools and necessary materials.

My advice would be to see if a local flyshop (or fly tying organization) offers
lessons and provides the tools and materials. Enroll, finish the course, and
*then* buy the necessary tools and materials. I have seen friends buy
expensive tools and lots of materials only to give it all away in a year or two
because they didn't enjoy tying.

Just my $0.02.
Dave
http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Tim G. writes:

snip

Any thoughts on this, or suggestions for any other good kits, are
greatly appreciated.

You could possibly save yourself some money by seeing if you *enjoy* tying
flies. Many flyshops have lessons in the off-season (Nov-Mar), and many supply
the tools and necessary materials.

My advice would be to see if a local flyshop (or fly tying organization) offers
lessons and provides the tools and materials. Enroll, finish the course, and
*then* buy the necessary tools and materials. I have seen friends buy
expensive tools and lots of materials only to give it all away in a year or two
because they didn't enjoy tying.

Just my $0.02.
Dave
http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

irate (Dave LaCourse) wrote in
:

My advice would be to see if a local flyshop (or fly tying
organization) offers lessons and provides the tools and materials.
Enroll, finish the course, and *then* buy the necessary tools and
materials.

Dave speaks wisely, Tim.

After a course you'll hopefully also have a better idea what "good"
materials and tools look (and feel) like.

Steve

Dave gave some pretty good advice here. When you take the course ask the
teacher to explain how to choose the correct materials and how to avoid the
wrong ones. I found this the most difficult thing for most of us to learn in
the beginning. It is not too bad with the synthetics, but choosing the correct
natural materials is the most difficult for me to learn then and after a couple
of decades as well.

Big Dale

Dave gave some pretty good advice here. When you take the course ask the
teacher to explain how to choose the correct materials and how to avoid the
wrong ones. I found this the most difficult thing for most of us to learn in
the beginning. It is not too bad with the synthetics, but choosing the correct
natural materials is the most difficult for me to learn then and after a couple
of decades as well.

Big Dale

tim - i bought it two years ago. it's mediocre stuff, but probably a
good introduction to tying package. you won't be satisfied with the vise
and materials once you've progressed unless you stick to basic ties.
i've not continued tying. might start back one day... a smart fellow
would follow the recommendations given thus far, or find a friend who
ties. i've watched big dale and dave lacourse tie...i think watching and
learning from someone will prove a better experience than trying to
follow the orvis lesson book.

jeff

Tim G wrote:

Hi,

I'm a non-fly-tying fly fisherman - one of those - who finally thinks
he needs to get into tying.

I've combed your old posts, and read all your warnings against buying
a fly-tying kit... yet, still, I can't help but think that a good kit
might not be a bad way to go, simply for learning's sake. I
understand that I'll certainly be buying new materials (and not using
some that come with the kit), possibly buying some new tools later
on... and that overall it might not be the most cost-effective way to
go... but even so, I still can't help but think this might just make
things a bit easier to start.

With that in mind, does anyone have any thoughts on the Orvis Premium
Fly Tying Kit? I ask about this one because I'd seen a post back when
saying that it actually wasn't so bad...

Any thoughts on this, or suggestions for any other good kits, are
greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tim

tim - i bought it two years ago. it's mediocre stuff, but probably a
good introduction to tying package. you won't be satisfied with the vise
and materials once you've progressed unless you stick to basic ties.
i've not continued tying. might start back one day... a smart fellow
would follow the recommendations given thus far, or find a friend who
ties. i've watched big dale and dave lacourse tie...i think watching and
learning from someone will prove a better experience than trying to
follow the orvis lesson book.

jeff

Tim G wrote:

Hi,

I'm a non-fly-tying fly fisherman - one of those - who finally thinks
he needs to get into tying.

I've combed your old posts, and read all your warnings against buying
a fly-tying kit... yet, still, I can't help but think that a good kit
might not be a bad way to go, simply for learning's sake. I
understand that I'll certainly be buying new materials (and not using
some that come with the kit), possibly buying some new tools later
on... and that overall it might not be the most cost-effective way to
go... but even so, I still can't help but think this might just make
things a bit easier to start.

With that in mind, does anyone have any thoughts on the Orvis Premium
Fly Tying Kit? I ask about this one because I'd seen a post back when
saying that it actually wasn't so bad...

Any thoughts on this, or suggestions for any other good kits, are
greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tim

(Tim G) wrote in
om:

Hi,

I'm a non-fly-tying fly fisherman - one of those - who finally thinks
he needs to get into tying.

I've combed your old posts, and read all your warnings against buying
a fly-tying kit... yet, still, I can't help but think that a good kit
might not be a bad way to go, simply for learning's sake. I
understand that I'll certainly be buying new materials (and not using
some that come with the kit), possibly buying some new tools later
on... and that overall it might not be the most cost-effective way to
go... but even so, I still can't help but think this might just make
things a bit easier to start.

With that in mind, does anyone have any thoughts on the Orvis Premium
Fly Tying Kit? I ask about this one because I'd seen a post back when
saying that it actually wasn't so bad...

Any thoughts on this, or suggestions for any other good kits, are
greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tim



Even for learning's sake, I don't think a kit is a very good deal. The
kit won't make it easier to learn, and it won't save you money. A course
is a good idea, but often you need scissors, bobbin, thread, vice, before
you can take a course.

Nothing will get you into tying faster than catching fish on your own
ties. So, pick the fly you want to tie-- maybe something that doesn't
require you to buy a hackle neck, or if you do need hackles you might
consider one of the Whiting 100 packs-- get the stuff you need to tie it,
and tie it. If you don't like it, You can sell the vise, and you're
probably only invested for $20-$30 at the end.

Scott

(Tim G) wrote in
om:

Hi,

I'm a non-fly-tying fly fisherman - one of those - who finally thinks
he needs to get into tying.

I've combed your old posts, and read all your warnings against buying
a fly-tying kit... yet, still, I can't help but think that a good kit
might not be a bad way to go, simply for learning's sake. I
understand that I'll certainly be buying new materials (and not using
some that come with the kit), possibly buying some new tools later
on... and that overall it might not be the most cost-effective way to
go... but even so, I still can't help but think this might just make
things a bit easier to start.

With that in mind, does anyone have any thoughts on the Orvis Premium
Fly Tying Kit? I ask about this one because I'd seen a post back when
saying that it actually wasn't so bad...

Any thoughts on this, or suggestions for any other good kits, are
greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tim



Even for learning's sake, I don't think a kit is a very good deal. The
kit won't make it easier to learn, and it won't save you money. A course
is a good idea, but often you need scissors, bobbin, thread, vice, before
you can take a course.

Nothing will get you into tying faster than catching fish on your own
ties. So, pick the fly you want to tie-- maybe something that doesn't
require you to buy a hackle neck, or if you do need hackles you might
consider one of the Whiting 100 packs-- get the stuff you need to tie it,
and tie it. If you don't like it, You can sell the vise, and you're
probably only invested for $20-$30 at the end.

Scott