Advice required for a complete beginner

[luddite]

I have finally decided to learn to tie my own, and I am going to have to teach myself. I fish rivers in Derbyshire so my aim is to be able to tie the basic requirements ie sedges , various upwings, griffiths gnat, etc.

Could you give me your thoughts on the best way for me to learn?

YouTube is my first thought for tutorials, or can you recommend a beginners book?

Also what are the bare minimum tools I need? I do like to buy quality gear but don't want to end up buying stuff that I am not going to need.

Thanks in anticipation

Luddite

[arkle]

The "best way to learn" is to join the Home & News & there is a branch in Sheffield. There is plenty of advice here about tools etc, just use the search button above on r/h side. Books, Gathercole's Fly Tying Bible is excellent at the price.

[g1zmo]

I don't know if he ties the specific flies you're after but have a look at Davie McPhails vids on youtube, very helpful and informative

[mac 10]

Hello mate,

Fly tying bible is great. I use it a lot. If you want to PM me your email address I'll send you an electronic copy of it. It's a PDF file and I just put my laptop on my table next to me when tying flies to refer to.

If you're not happy about sending me your email address then no problem.

Regards,

Nick.

[bill1]

Davie McPhail on YouTube
Gathercoles "Fly-Tying Bible" or "Fly-Tying for Beginners' are both good.

David Cammiss on YouTube does a series of flies for beginners, starting with basics.

Once you get going, the Step by Steps on this forum cover a host of patterns.

Good luck - it's great fun and once you've got the basics, you're away.

[flytyingguy]

I agree with everything that had been said and to start with, buy some 10, 12 and 14 hoooks and tie phesent tails and hares lugs, once you feel youve mastered the, go onto smaller flies and try river diawl bachs, then go onto siple black spiders and gradually build up until you can tie most aspects of flies for the rivers

[gazza1954]

Originally Posted by flytyingguy

I agree with everything that had been said and to start with, buy some 10, 12 and 14 hoooks and tie phesent tails and hares lugs, once you feel youve mastered the, go onto smaller flies and try river diawl bachs, then go onto siple black spiders and gradually build up until you can tie most aspects of flies for the rivers

Good advice, exactly how I started, although I did have a few lessons at a local fly tying club just to get the basics right, after one lesson I was confident tying pheasant tails and gold ribbed hares ears.
Happy tying, Gary.

[weight_forward]

The only other thing I would add is don’t hesitate to put your early efforts up for critique. The forum is generally a helpful place and if constructive crit is asked for then you will get it. It is certainly a good way of improving quickly. Don’t worry if the photo’s aren’t masterpieces, you can get a decent enough shot with a phone camera to see if things are going in the right direction.

[richardw]

Originally Posted by luddite

I have finally decided to learn to tie my own, and I am going to have to teach myself. I fish rivers in Derbyshire so my aim is to be able to tie the basic requirements ie sedges , various upwings, griffiths gnat, etc.

Could you give me your thoughts on the best way for me to learn?

YouTube is my first thought for tutorials, or can you recommend a beginners book?

Also what are the bare minimum tools I need? I do like to buy quality gear but don't want to end up buying stuff that I am not going to need.

Thanks in anticipation

Luddite

Derbyshire?

Here's a post from an earlier thread that links you to some easy step-by-step guides to patterns that work brilliantly in Derbyshire (and most other places too).

easy flies for a newbie

richard