Where do you buy your flies?

[Chrom3]

Where do you buy em? Do you get em online, or strictly from a fly show to see the quality? If you get them online could I get a link for the shop?

[sliverpicker]

I've tied my own for the last 30 years. Have enough material to stock a small fly shop!

[bauer buoy]

Originally Posted by Chrom3

Where do you buy em? Do you get em online, or strictly from a fly show to see the quality? If you get them online could I get a link for the shop?

river city fly shop!

[Wingdam]

Best bet is a local fly shop to get started. Once you figure out which patterns you want, you can sometimes find them cheaper online.

[Jrr]

Try Riverbum on line....

[Wild Chrome]

Get them on the river when and where you can. Usually, valuable and current fishing info is included with purchase. Plus, they will have everything you'd want to use on that river.

[sturgeonnoob]

You could try FlyDealFlies . The only down side is you have to purchase 5 dozen as a minimum order, they take 2-4 weeks to get to you (tied at the time of order), but the quality is super, and they have anything you could think of. $.42 to $.53 per fly. OR you could visit your local fly shop and start tying. Nothing better than catching a fish on something that YOU tied.
Hope this helps.
JB

[moa1999]

Originally Posted by sturgeonnoob

You could try FlyDealFlies . The only down side is you have to purchase 5 dozen as a minimum order, they take 2-4 weeks to get to you (tied at the time of order), but the quality is super, and they have anything you could think of. $.42 to $.53 per fly. OR you could visit your local fly shop and start tying. Nothing better than catching a fish on something that YOU tied.
Hope this helps.
JB

My buddy just ordered and received 7 dozen from these guys. I have been tying for 20 years and all I have to say is that his flies are absolutely primo!!

[Chrom3]

Thank you all very much for the replies!



Mitch

[Corrado1]

FlyFishUSA

They have a great selection and great quality. They are located in Welches, OR on Highway 26 if you want to check it out in person. They have free shipping for anything over $50.

[JustCallMeDave]

Just removed from non-sponsor URL's from this thread. Just a reminder that non-sponsor contact information is not allowed.

Thanks.

[LunkerFish]

I prefer to support my local fly shops. They are involved in conserving and protecting our local gems and always hook me up with a little inside info.

[Oregonism]

+1 on local shops. I am getting into tying nearly everything I use unless there is stuff that is just too labor intensive. I prefer River City Fly Shop, simply because they usually give you great deals on stuff and their selection is pretty good. The guys at the shop are also pretty cool and non-snobbish like some of the other places I've been. Having a guy that work's at Dick's sporting goods look down their nose at you is irritating to say the least.

[john montana]

River city. Just go one time and check it out. You will be happy you did.

[Zugbug66]

Support local shops!, River City, Kauffman's, NW Flyfishing outfitters, Gorge fly shop, The Dalles fly shop, The Fly Shop in Welches, etc... The more people buy from online shops, the more local shops will close for good.

[Chrom3]

THank you all!

[moa1999]

Originally Posted by Zugbug66

Support local shops!, River City, Kauffman's, NW Flyfishing outfitters, Gorge fly shop, The Dalles fly shop, The Fly Shop in Welches, etc... The more people buy from online shops, the more local shops will close for good.

Flies bought at the local shop cost about $2.00 each (and they buy them oversees for about .40 each). Flies bought online cost about .50 each. While I love to support my local businesses.....some of us who struggle to make ends meet are not in a position to be able to afford that luxury most of the time. If I had to purchase my flies locally, I would have never been able to afford this great passion of mine. I do my best to buy as much of my tying materials locally. My best friend owns the shop next door to our local fly shop. The fly shop's owner drives a vehicle that costs more then everything I own and spends a large portion of the year traveling the world in search of exotic fishing destinations. While I applaud his business success, I must also face the reality of my own financial shortcomings.

[Whiskey Dick]

If buying on line try Hillsdiscountflies dot com they are located in Washington and are nice folks and have always treated me right, Your local fly shop is good place and it is a local business you should try and help when you can. Here in Central Oregon we have just lost another fly shop, The Riffle is closed in Bend and down by the river at WarmSprings but i hear Fly and Field will be taking over the shop at WarmSprings and re-opening it 1st of May.

[Wild Chrome]

Originally Posted by moa1999

My best friend owns the shop next door to our local fly shop. The fly shop's owner drives a vehicle that costs more then everything I own and spends a large portion of the year traveling the world in search of exotic fishing destinations.

When I recommended you try to buy flies on the river, one of the shops I had in mind is owned by a flyfishing guide who drove (and guided) out of a rusty old two-tone pickup. He taught me as much about redsides and how to catch them as anybody. I absorbed most of that info while talking about all the flies he'd tied in the store and how they matched the species and sizes of bugs currently hatching, plus how and where to fish them. I bought my share (they caught fish), still have many.

BTW, if you find that pickup in an obscure pullout during steelhead season, you best note the location! I haven't seen him in a few years. Maybe he's been able to update his ride? A lot of you know who I'm talking about; he reminds me of a cartoon character!........

[nookslayer]

Buy? nah, I just poach them out of Meskel's box. I row, he does the majority of tying. It works. Otherwise I'll go chat it up with Don for a while and end up with a new box full. Jakob, Jad and Mitch over at Kaufamann have the same effect.

[tumalt]

I'm not positive, but I don't think all the shops use cheap overseas flies.

I bought some flies from Kauffman's and they came in some little "idlywild" boxes. I think they are tied by a local tier, but not absolutely certain.

If so, I like the idea of supporting local tiers, but I can definitely see the appeal of buying cheap flies. I end up doing a bit of both.

[Luni]

I buy them online. Since non sponsored contact isnt allowed, theres plenty of places out there. The one I use is the fly stop.

[Breck]

Originally Posted by Wild Chrome

Get them on the river when and where you can. Usually, valuable and current fishing info is included with purchase. Plus, they will have everything you'd want to use on that river.

[Orange Heron]

Originally Posted by tumalt

I'm not positive, but I don't think all the shops use cheap overseas flies.

I bought some flies from Kauffman's and they came in some little "idlywild" boxes. I think they are tied by a local tier, but not absolutely certain.

If so, I like the idea of supporting local tiers, but I can definitely see the appeal of buying cheap flies. I end up doing a bit of both.

You are correct. Most fly shops buy from other good sources (Umpqua, Riverborn, Solitude, Idylewilde, Rainy's) than those cheap .40 flies that come out of India.

Rich

[Newbs]

In my humble opinion... the cost of flies is inconsequential when considering the cost of fly fishing. Buy the very best flies you can find and pay the extra $.50 cents. Even the best of flies can be bought for $10.00 a dozen.

If you tie your own and consider the cost of hooks, threads, bobbins, vice, beads, feathers, hackles, deer hair, elk hair, moose hair.... the list goes on. But once you have a supply...your flies are free... sort of.

It's not about the money. If it was I'd use a net.

[Zugbug66]

Originally Posted by moa1999

Flies bought at the local shop cost about $2.00 each (and they buy them oversees for about .40 each). Flies bought online cost about .50 each. While I love to support my local businesses.....some of us who struggle to make ends meet are not in a position to be able to afford that luxury most of the time. If I had to purchase my flies locally, I would have never been able to afford this great passion of mine. I do my best to buy as much of my tying materials locally. My best friend owns the shop next door to our local fly shop. The fly shop's owner drives a vehicle that costs more then everything I own and spends a large portion of the year traveling the world in search of exotic fishing destinations. While I applaud his business success, I must also face the reality of my own financial shortcomings.

Most of the owners of shops I have met are not rolling in dough. They are in it of course to make a living being involved in the sport they love. When you visit a shop, you get some one on one time, sharing fish stories and picking up tips. I don't buy flies at any shop, I do buy tying materials and i like to be able to check out what I'm buying. I started tying flies years ago to save money, but I currently tie because I love it. I like the shops I go to and would like to see them around for a while.
My 2 cents..

[dubl_t]

Originally Posted by Newbs

It's not about the money. If it was I'd use a net.

That made this thread worth reading.

Talking about mark-ups and over zealous owners is pointless since a portion of that fly is still going to someone's wage.

I tie, but I still buy at specialty shops (flyfishing and others hobbies) since I don't want to lose them. Plus, $5 in flys isn't going to break the bank, just means I'm drinking Keystone Light instead of Corona, but I do that anyways

[Doryfisher]

Great thread. I purchase my fly tying supplies from primarily 3 sources. (they all have great flies too)

Here goes, although not neccesarily listed in my order of preference.

1. Online shopping, for planned ahead stuff. You can find some really new innovative supplies and recipes, if you carefully search the net.

2. Greased Line Fly Shoppe. Just 1/2 mile from my home and perfect for the hackle that you thought you had, but didn't. Funny how it always happens in the middle of tying the worlds most perfect fly. Very knowledgable and friendly. I have been shopping there for 28 years.

3. River City Fly shop. - When in the Scholls area I ALWAYS stop in for some impulse buying. Such a huge collection and wealth of knowledge. They always have the latest and greatest flies displayed. Not to mention the huge inventory of supplies, so you can tie your own.

I always feel like such a kid in a candy store when shopping at any of these locations. They are all indivdually unique and serve my specific needs well. A++.

If there were points awarded for a fly fishing trip, in my humble opinion, the majority would be earned in the preparation and anticipation. We all know that time on the river, casting from the bank and harnessing the hope of a fish is the primary goal. It is however, the process of acquiring and developing tactics, plus all fun we have on our journey there, and are far away the most rewarding.

Love it.

[clarkman23]

Originally Posted by dubl_t

just means I'm drinking Keystone Light instead of Corona, but I do that anyways

that's where I draw the line....



just bum some flies off of your buddy, but whatever you do, drink good beer (and no, Corona doesn't count)...

[dubl_t]

Originally Posted by clarkman23

just bum some flies off of your buddy, but whatever you do, drink good beer (and no, Corona doesn't count)...

Haha, I agree regarding the Corona. But whenever I feel like having a Guiness I just add 80wt gear lube and molasses to my KEYSTONE LIGHT

Seriously though Guiness is all my wife'l drink regarding beer.

Now, back to your regularly programmed thread

[Zugbug66]

Mmmmm! Beer....................