Beginning Tying

[JeepMcMuddy]

Need some advice, I've been itching to try tying for a while now. Should I pick up a pre-made beginning tying kit like the Rumpf kit that a place like joes sells, or piece-meal a kit together? (vice, tools, supplies) Any advice? I would be mostly tying trout and steelhead flies. graemlins/dork.gif

[FallRiverGuy]

Forget the kits. A lot of poor quality material included. I would take a fly tying class and learn what material and equipment you need to tie the type of flies you want. That worked well for me.

[lost_sailor]

Kits come with a lot of material you will never use.

A kit might be cheaper, because the vise and tools are pretty low-quality.

I started with kits, but that's just kind of how it happened. Somebody gave me one, and I found an old one that my dad had (and I'm sure "they don't make 'em like that anymore") - but I think if I had to start from nothing, I would go the piece-meal route.

A class sounds like a good idea. Maybe I should take one. NAH!

[JeepMcMuddy]

You know the class idea is a pretty good one. Anyone know of one taught in the Vancouver area? How do they usually work? Do you pay for classes and buy the tools from them, or use theirs and then go out and buy your own? Thanks a bunch guys!

[FallRiverGuy]

When I took my class, the shop offered all their material at 10% discount to students. The class was pay as you attend. I have a cheesy vice, but it works for what I do. I had the basic equipment when I started and bought what I needed as needed. I am sure there are other formats, but this worked well. The owner still gives me good deals when I buy from him, which I usually do.
:cheers:

[Grantspastor]

I'll voice up with the others. Don't buy a kit. Buy a basic set of tools...decide what fly patterns you want to tie initially...accumulate materials for those flies...then over time expand and expand until like me you need half the family room for all your fly tying "junk"

[Fish_N_Russ]

I would also add mtcw about NOT buying a 'kit' . I think for some tools, Ebay is a good place.......ive seen a lot of tool sets for very cheap. Yes they are made in India or Pakistan or ? but for some tools you dont need the best when you start out. Email me Jeep, I have some materials I can donate that are just taking up space if you are interested
Russ

[Gizmo Man]

Jeep: pass on the kit.

Check with the Clark Skamania ff in Vanc. They have a web page and list the upcoming activities. Fly tying is a class they offer. It should be coming up soon.

The class cost is very reasonable and one I would recommend you consider.


Giz...

[True]

Just got out of a program with Leroy Wyatt. He said that you should by the best vise you can afford and the best pair of scissors as well, with a serrated edge.

I bought a Griffin Patriot Vise and just have an old pair of small Pakistans. Hey, they work!

True

[Sailfish]

Hey Jeep,
I have a bit of free time on my hands for the next week or so and if you want to shoot over to S.E. Portland I would be happy to get you started and maybe show you what basic materials and tools you would need for the flies you are intersested in tying. Give me a buzz at sailfish@pacifier.com if it sounds like something you might be interested in.

[Haftafish]

Years ago I took a fly tying class from Doug Stewart in SE Portland. He guides the Sandy and the Deschutes, mostly walk ins. Not a plug for Doug but the class was reasonable and the experience was life long. I no longer tie my own since my fingers don't work that well anymore but I would highly recommend a class like Dougs.

[JeepMcMuddy]

Thank you all for the great advice on the classes, I am looking into them as we speak.

Sailfish, I'll email you and see if we can hook up! THANKS!!!


:cheers:

[JeepMcMuddy]

FYI-
I searched for the group that Giz suggested, I contacted them and they have a Beginning Tying class starting March 6, and I also signed up for the Basic fly fishing/casting class on April 5 (might as well kill two birds with one stone and actually learn the right way to swing this darn rod!). Thanks for all the great info sharing!

[D3smartie]

Sounds good Jeep. Let us know how it goes and good luck.

[ReelTrouble]

all the info was useful to me as well in my quest to try to learn to fly fish.

A while ago I asked how to get into fly fishing, and all the books, and contacts you guys gave me have worked out great.

Thanks again

[Fish_N_Russ]

Jeep,
I packed up your materials today and will mail them out first part of next week. Not a lot but some pheasant, teal, mallard, chenile, thread.......a few things anyway :smile:

Russ

[JeepMcMuddy]

YOU ROCK!! Thanks!!! :cheers: :dance:

[will_e_fish]

Jeep - give us a report back in a couple months so we can see how you did.
Thanks

[Pepito]

Just a side note: There is a book out called The Art of Fly Tying by John van Vliet that is really good at getting you started. I picked it up when I started and got rolling pretty quick. Good luck!