newbie wanting to try fly tying

[avrojet]

Hi
I'm interested in having a go at fly tying.
At the moment I don't own any tools or materials. Having looked at the internet it seems that a fly tying vice can range from 10s of pounds to a couple of hundred. Do they not all do the same job?
I wish to purchase a decent vice but don't know what to look for in a vice!
Some advice would be welcomed.
Thanks
Mark

[campsiefisher]

Speak to Grommit (a trade member on here) he'll get you sorted on a setup, and wont take the shirt off your back.

Especially if it's a Rangers shirt

Best regards
Jim

[flytier07]

Mark-it all depends on your budget. You can buy an expensive vice, but probably best to start on a cheaper vice and work up to it. A rotary vice is good and won't cost the earth. You then want these basic tools: dubbing needle, bobbin threader, two pairs of scissors(one for fine work, one for more general use, hackle pliers, at least two bobbins to hold your thread spools. Basic fine threads about 8/0 in diameter in black, red, olive and brown. Materials depend pretty much on the flies you want to start with which should be something fairly easy like the gold-ribbed hare's ear or ptn(pheasanht tailed nymph) and once you become proficient tying them you can expand your stock. For those patterns you will only need a hare's ear, gold tinsel or wire, cock pheasant tail feather, copper tinsel or wire and of course enough hooks. But DO NOT buy a tying kit! If you buy a tying kit you will get lots of gear you'll rarely if ever use. Hope this helps and I'm sure forumites with more experience will fill in where I finish. I hope you enjoy fly-tying as I LOVE it!

[shpeil]

On a vice, when my old cheapo one busted I got me a regent rotatable - £20, easy to operate, few moving parts to break down due to cheap engineering. Should do you fine.

I've managed fine with only one bobbin holder, no threader (bent wire works just as well) and no red thread... but otherwise I agree with FT.

[roders]

totally agree with the above. Get a cheapish vice which rotates like the regent and you wont go wrong. A FLASH VICE WILL NOT TIE BETTER FLIES!!!!!
Only buy materials and hooks for specific flies you want to tie and expand on that principal.
If you can get to see someone tying locally to you then thats the best way to learn.... first hand and for free!!!
look up the fly dressers guild as they might have a monthly meeting in your area.

Rod

[flytyingguy]

All I'd get is hares ear pheasent tail, 2 packs of 10 and 12, a spoll of silver, copper and gold wire - small, black and white marabou and some black and fl green chenille. Wont be more tan 15 quid.

[fish4all]

Hi Avrojet.
Started tying at the end of last year (xmas present off misses). I contacted a trade member off hear and he was most helpful (not sure about rules on nameing dealers so if you want his name and details PM me). He asked what type of fishing ie river or still, what types of flys I would be attempting, then he put together a custom kit for me, it cost me approx £60 for everthing I needed to get going, I still have the same tools (had to duplicate a few though as my 9 year old daughter has now started tying) but tools are fine. One word of warning though you will be at the fly tying shop alot more than you think! it it so addictive esspecially when you catch your first fish on your own fly.
Best of luck
Stu

[shrek]

flytyer07, sound advice, apart from one part imo, better to start off with 6/0 thread, til he gets used to tension. I would imagine a newbie would have to many thread breaks on 8/0 perhaps puting the tier off progressing.

[arkle]

Hi Mark, take a look at Home & News & see if there's a branch near you & if so contact the secretary, he will be able to advise the best materials to go for in your fishing area. He'll also be able to advise on the tool/vice situation. Most branches have on-going tuition & it's without any doubt the fastest way to learn.

[avrojet]

Hi
Thanks to the members that gave me advice!!
Mark