advice please

[bigtel]

am wanting to have a go at tying my own flies,so am looking to purchase a decent starter kit something with everything included so i can try before going mad and buying a load of stuff i might never use any help will be appreciated.

[arkle]

Bigtel, this subject comes up very frequently here. Try using the search button at the top r/h side of the page to see what the general opinion of "kits" is. Unfortunately there's no branch of the The FDG near you. However you could contact the national secretary & ask him if there's anyone near you who could give you a hand in getting started.

I'd also strongly recommend you take a look at the videos on www.thegwentanglingsociety.co.uk as they are for people of all levels from those who have trouble tying their own shoelaces (metaphorically speaking) to the upper end of advanced tying.

Best of luck by the way.

[sabalos]

hi big tel, best advice i can give is get a list of all the patterns you will fish with and their dressings. then make a shopping list up for the materials. you will save a fortune by not buying a packet of something that catches your eye.
I dare say the members on here could fill a shop with materials they dont use.
also dont teach yourself, get some tuition. fly dressers guild or local club. I learnt from library books , takes much longer to get the basics than watching someone and asking.
cheers, dave

[syphogenic]

Originally Posted by sabalos

I dare say the members on here could fill a shop with materials they dont use.

More like the whole countries super markets!

[shuck raider]

Originally Posted by bigtel

...... before going mad and buying a load of stuff i might never use ......

Precisely the reason why many here do not advise buying a kit. You'll accumulate stuff for flies you'll never tie. I was talking to Paddy Mulholland at the Galway Fair and he mentioned that he bought a Veniard kit 45 years ago - he still has unopened packets of materials from that!! (Including genuine red ibis, but the bugg*r won't part with it)

Better to identify the flies you use most and would like to try to tie. Then buy materials for these and as you progress, buy more stuff for other patterns

[revpara]

Bigtel,
there is the Durham Fly Fishers Club which has an excellent winter tying schedule with guests and tying nights for all levels of skill.
They meet at Meadowfield which should be a busride from you.
The guys will show you the ropes.
http://www.durhamflyfishers.co.uk/
Tell them Roy Christie sent you so it will only cost you a round
If I get a chance I drop in when I'm around there.
Please tender my regards when you attend.

Roy

arkle you should bookmark that club as the FDG does not appear to support that district.

[sabalos]

big tel, try and get the poster above to show you how its done. he is pretty good! for a foreigner.
atb , dave