Orvis Premium Fly Tying Kit?

(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

"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...
If you don't like it, You can sell the vise, and you're
probably only invested for $20-$30 at the end.

Maybe even less if you bought the stuff used on eBay to begin with.

"jeffc" wrote in message
. com...

"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...
If you don't like it, You can sell the vise, and you're
probably only invested for $20-$30 at the end.

Maybe even less if you bought the stuff used on eBay to begin with.



And less even yet if you know of anyone who tried it, decided they didn't
like it, and is selling a whole kit with all the materials and hardware.

But then we're back at stage one!

I think, to modify Dave's initial advise, I'd say if you can get into a
complete kit (especially used) for a very reasonable price (under $30-40),
then go ahead and get it and see if you like it. Taking a class or finding
out if you really want to start tying is a nice idea, but if you can get
puttering around a bit on your own on the cheap, go for it.

The thing to avoid is to go buy the best of all materials, keep adding to it
until you have hundreds of dollars invested, and THEN decide that you really
don't like it!

--riverman

"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...
If you don't like it, You can sell the vise, and you're
probably only invested for $20-$30 at the end.

Maybe even less if you bought the stuff used on eBay to begin with.

"Tim G" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

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

(snip)

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...

Thanks, Tim

Hi Tim,
Good advice by all. The taking a class thing is important.
But, be smart about it. Ask for an outline of what is to be covered during
the class. I used to teach. 4 sessions advertised at 2 hours each, which
usually went 2 1/2-3 hours. I furnished everything. Would only take 6
people for a class. Spent a lot of time covering the selecting materials.
Did 12 flies in four sessions. ( the first fly was a woolly bugger . .
..only fly tied for the first session)

Surprisingly, I seemed to continually have a person or so come to a class,
who had previously had a fly tying class . . .uhh . . .and though, thinking
some level of competence, and trying to " help" me, didn't understand the
basics. Thus showing to me anyhow, the various levels of quality of
instruction that seems to happen. I've met some great guides, in my
opinion, that I wouldn't trust to teach any fly tying stuff.
(sooooo . . . . get the outline . . .the course should provide everything .
.. .don't trust the folks that want you to bring your own tools)

Ohh . . . and the Orvis Kit . . .$249.00 US. Are you kidding? The best
thing about the kit is Tom Rosenbauer's Tying Guide, which people here and
on ROFF have mentioned. ( heh . . .heh . . .I have never seen it . . .I
have met Tom a couple times . . . on other occasions . . .of which he will
never recall . . .but I got the impression, that if he focused on it, it
maybe a pretty good primer.)

Well Tim, where are you located? If in the US, email me.
I'd be willing to send a set of the "cheap" hardware to get you started.
( you would owe me "one" woolly bugger . . .heck, even I need something from
my investment)
BestWishes,
DaveMohnsen
Denver

I've been tying for over 20 years and I have never seen a set that was worth
half of what it is selling for. As others have stated, get into a lesson,
buy the materials you need for the lesson. Pick out another fly. Buy the
materials you need for tha fly. Keep going......... You will end up with a
lot better value. you will also end up wtih the materials you need and use.

Even if you buy this kit, you will soon be at the fly shop to buy something
that isn't in the kit

--


---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Are you still wasting your time with spam?...
There is a solution!"

Protected by GIANT Company's Spam Inspector
The most powerful anti-spam software available.
http://mail.spaminspector.com


"Tim G" wrote in message
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

"Sierra fisher" wrote in message
...
I've been tying for over 20 years and I have never seen a set that was
worth
half of what it is selling for.

I wouldn't go that far. That are tool sets, at least, that are very
worthwhile - in fact a slight discount if you happen to want those tools.

"Sierra fisher" wrote in message
...
I've been tying for over 20 years and I have never seen a set that was
worth
half of what it is selling for.

I wouldn't go that far. That are tool sets, at least, that are very
worthwhile - in fact a slight discount if you happen to want those tools.

Tim asked:

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

If you buy a kit off the shelf to start with, chances are the kit will
contain some material you won't use for a long while, maybe never. Skip the
Orvis kit. Also pass on Ebay antique kits or yard sale kits to start with.

Check out your local community college or University fly tying classes.
They probably will tie flies for your local area. They may offer basic,
intermediate and advanced classes. They may offer specific tying classes
such as for trout, bass, panfish, steelhead, salmon, etc. The instructor
may have collected kits for the class made available through the student
store. If you start this way, you'll only have the material you need to tie
specific class patterns, initially.

Later as you take additional fly tying courses at fishing clubs, fly shops,
trade shows, etc. you can add the materials and upgrade your tools to fit
your individual needs.

Good luck and welcome aboard!
John


Remove FLY to reply

Tim,
Another option to the "kit" would be to identify the flies commonly used on
your home waters with success. Then purchase the materials to tie those
flies. The shop owner and other mentors can suggest the "easier to tie
flies", form that group, on which you can start. I heartily agree with the
recommendation of taking a beginner's class. Books are great- some better
than others- but they do not listen when you have a question, nor can they
place materials on the hook for you like an instructor can.
Best wishes for many years of tying and fishing those flies.--
G.S. "Stack" Scoville, Jr., Owner, FLYTYER FLIES
Specializing in Framed Atlantic Salmon
and Spey Flies for the Collector

"Tim G" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

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

Snip