what fly

[bigtel]

ok guys am having a go at fly tying and have been told to choose 5 flies to tye, i want to do dry fly and spiders,what would be the best ones for a total beginner to start with any help would be appreciated.
oh i mainly fish rivers.

[SharkeyP]

Partridge feathers are easy to buy so first up would be a Partridge and Orange. Pearsall's Hot Orange number 19 is the thread of choice but the trout don't know that so any orange thread will suffice.

Snipe and Purple is the obvious partner to the above, the method is the same, Pearsall's Purple 8 the thread. You might have to buy a pair of Snipe wings but they aren't too expensive and you can locate the correct sized feathers for the hook size.

Without any further materials purchased you can chop and change and do some Dark Snipe and Orange.

If you like fishing Spiders you must get Mike Harding's "A Guide to North Country Spiders". That will keep you in patterns all Winter and beyond.

A word of caution, game hackles are quite fragile, you will inevitably snap a few when you are starting out.

Dry flies tend to have a couple of more stages to them, tying in tails for instance or dubbed bodies and ribs so get the hang of running on and tying off thread with the spiders first. I don't tie many dry patterns myself but I suppose a size 12 Daddy would be a better place to start than a size 18 Klinkhammer.

Good luck and show us how you get on.

SharkeyP

[arkle]

Tel, you need to learn technique & material handling first.

The flies you will choose should reflect that in preference to patterns. You should tie at least 6 of a chosen pattern, typically on a large-ish hook such as an 8 so that your hand eye co-ordination gets used to doing specific tasks. Then most importantly, tie another 6 of the identical pattern on 10's & again on 12's. After you've done each batch, study each fly closely, you should see minor improvements in each one. Then try the same with another slightly different pattern with different materials in it. To save cash, you can take a razor blade to the duds & re-use the hooks, but apply a thin coat of varnish to the shank before you re-tie on it.

This is tedious & repetitious, but it's the fastest way to get good, durable results.

I normally suggest a Black & Peacock spider 1st, followed by a Black Pennell, then possibly a buzzer with a dubbed thorax etc.

[3lbgrayling]

The 2 flies that I was told to practice on a long time ago were the Black and Peacock Spider.and the Black Pennel.Still think they are good flies to start on.

Jim

[sweenytodd]

Black Thread , Grizzle Hackle , Hook , Simples

[bigtel]

thanks for the advice guys am hoping to buy some tying gear this week will let you no how i get on thanks again

[oddgitt]

Originally Posted by sweenytodd

Black Thread , Grizzle Hackle , Hook , Simples

ST - what's the name o'that fly? (i think ita a badger but I struggle remembering the names)

[sweenytodd]

Originally Posted by oddgitt

ST - what's the name o'that fly? (i think ita a badger but I struggle remembering the names)

All I know it as is a Griffth's Gnat but without the peacock herl underbody