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[splash2]

Hi All,

I'm hoping to tap into your vast store of collective knowledge here. I am about to take my first steps into fly tying - nothing fancy at first, just a few nymphs for my local river. I am currently a little bewildered at the types of vice available, lever, knurled ****, stand alone, swan neck etc.

So, what features should I be looking for / avoiding in my first vice?

Regards,

Adrian.

[DownStream]

I got a very very basic one for christmas - and it holds the hook adequately.

I have plenty of trouble from my own cack-handedness without adding complications - best extras are:
1. Decent light
2. Specs optimised for working with tiny wee stuff.

Catching a fish on a fly you have designed and built - priceless.

[arkle]

Hi Adrian,

If you can let us know what your budget is and the types/sizes of fly you will be tying, then that will enable us to narrow the choice down a bit. There are numerous threads on this subject already - just use the search facility at the top of the page.

Also it is well worth looking at the following site as it has a superb intro offer (including a vice/tools/materials/book/ and a years membership with 4 mags +++++ & there might be a branch near you where you can learn tying from www.the_fdg.org

Best of luck

John

[splash2]

John,

I'm thinking of starting off with a limited range of GH PTN, Hares ears in 10, 12, & 14.

I should have stated in my original post that my eyesight is not the best and I have the manual dexterity of a horse!

Thanks for the link - that looks well worth investigating.

A.

[Country Joe]

I would stay away from these gimmicky type vices that look like Nassa made them,
I use a Dyna-king Squire and recommend it.
This vice will last for years, is simple to use,and a grip,that the hook will never move.
Saw a photo of another that caught my eye, it was the HMH SX £99.
Look on the web for the best deals on these vices.

[luckyluke]

the vice id recommend is a snowbee waldron best vice for the money

[garethl]

Hi Adrian, if it's of any help, I use a bog standard entry level vice, and it (to an extent) does the job...however, I'd stay away from them. The jaws get crappy over time and tend to have problems holding smaller hook sizes (#18+).

Because of which I'm looking at one of these as an upgrade for myself soon - http://www.fastmailtackle.co.uk/prod...oducts_id=2986.

I don't think you can go wrong for that price in my opinion. Then again, I've never used a vice in the £100 bracket...but then I probably never will. I spend enough on fishing tackle and fly tying materials as it is...£100 for a hook holder I can't justify.

Hope this helps mate.

G

[ickypimp]

I use a snowbee fly mate the retail price is about 50 quid for the best one in the range , i am currently tying patterns on size 16 through 4/0 with it and am very happy with its performance, i have found the fact that it rotates the fly along the hookshank fantastic, my brother in law uses the dynaking squire and whilst it is a good vive the fact that the head is angled means the rotation of the fly is a little odd from a dressing point of view... guess it is what you are used to ... i also find the ball joint on the fly mate is a brilliant idea

[splash2]

Great replies fellas. How stable is that Snowbee? Can you have it clamped to the table rather than free standing?

Assuming a budget of around 50 quid what are the must-have and avoid like the plague features I should be looking for?

[A. Fluker]

Just thought I would add my ywo penneth and recommend a John Weaver vice.
Sportfish have the "Ultimate Type" at £32.99.

See here:-

http://www.sportfish.co.uk/product/3...pe_2_Vice.html

Mine is stll going strong after 10 years and if you want a pedestal they are currently an extra £23.99.

IMHO the pedestal gives great flexibility and for me is worth the extra.