Help a beginner spend his money....

[mouche]

Hi,

I was wondering if you guys could help a newcomer to fly tying.

I've recently started fly fishing with a club here in Belgium, so far I've had casting lessons and now we've started fly tying lessons - two so far so I'm really at the bottom of the learning curve (in fact I've only tied 3 of my own flies).
Anyway one of the guys has lent me a vice and given me some peacock tail feathers and pheasant tail feathers - the only problem is I don't have any other material to tie with.
The questions I would like help answering are as follows:

1. I have made a list of tools I'd like to buy, any advice?
Bobbin holder - ceramic
Scissors - sharp and pointy
Hackle pliers - not pointy nor sharp
My own vice - regent lever type on a pedestal

2. I'd like to buy some capes, I'll probably be tying both wet and dry so was wondering what to buy to cover both eventualities - Herbert Miner half cock neck capes (Pro Grade)? Are these any good or can I get better for my money. For info I'm only tying on size 14 at the moment but I may want to do some slightly smaller as I get used to it so 16 & 18. Don't think I'll go smaller than that. Would it be cheaper to look at saddles? I'm thinking of buying brown, white (to dye in case I want other colours) and possibly black.

3. What about fly tying silk (or whatever the correct term is in English)? Any advice on the size, currently I've only used sewing thread so my flies are a little bulky.

4. As I don't have any real preference for the flies I'll be tying can anyone suggest a couple of different types of material which might complement each other and give me a good range of fly patterns - I can get hold of tinsel over here but I need advice on dubbing, fur (nothing outlandish, just the basic and nothing that looks like the animal just undid a zip to take it off - the missus won't let me have Chip N Dale's overcoats in the basement), chenille, booby eyes, marabou, weighted stuff (like little balls for their heads) etc.

5. Almost finished. I need to order some hooks. I was thinking of getting some 14's and 16's to start with but what about make and model?

5. Finally as I'm stuck in a country which doesn't really have fly fishing shops where is the best (and by that I mean cheap & reliable) place to get these things - I'd like to pay via paypal as I've just sold some stuff on eBay and have a full account ready for my new investments.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

[allanw]

Hi

I don’t do any Fly Tying as my Grand Farther Ties all his own and so there are always plenty left over for me

But as to a good company I can completely recommend The Essential Fly
There service is second to none and they do accept PayPal


Fly Fishing Salmon Flies/Fly Trout Flies/Fly, & Fly Tying Materials

Happy Shopping

[greenock]

Originally Posted by mouche

Hi,

I was wondering if you guys could help a newcomer to fly tying.

I've recently started fly fishing with a club here in Belgium, so far I've had casting lessons and now we've started fly tying lessons - two so far so I'm really at the bottom of the learning curve (in fact I've only tied 3 of my own flies).
Anyway one of the guys has lent me a vice and given me some peacock tail feathers and pheasant tail feathers - the only problem is I don't have any other material to tie with.
The questions I would like help answering are as follows:

1. I have made a list of tools I'd like to buy, any advice?
Bobbin holder - ceramic
Scissors - sharp and pointy
Hackle pliers - not pointy nor sharp
My own vice - regent lever type on a pedestal

2. I'd like to buy some capes, I'll probably be tying both wet and dry so was wondering what to buy to cover both eventualities - Herbert Miner half cock neck capes (Pro Grade)? Are these any good or can I get better for my money. For info I'm only tying on size 14 at the moment but I may want to do some slightly smaller as I get used to it so 16 & 18. Don't think I'll go smaller than that. Would it be cheaper to look at saddles? I'm thinking of buying brown, white (to dye in case I want other colours) and possibly black.

Cock cape for dry fly and cock saddle for wet fly. You'll also want to get some hen capes for your wets. Herbert miner will do your drys well. If your after saddles contact Saracen on this forum.

3. What about fly tying silk (or whatever the correct term is in English)? Any advice on the size, currently I've only used sewing thread so my flies are a little bulky.
I use uni thread 8/0 for most of my flies. You might snap off a few times till you get used to it if your coming rite from sewing thread.

4. As I don't have any real preference for the flies I'll be tying can anyone suggest a couple of different types of material which might complement each other and give me a good range of fly patterns - I can get hold of tinsel over here but I need advice on dubbing, fur (nothing outlandish, just the basic and nothing that looks like the animal just undid a zip to take it off - the missus won't let me have Chip N Dale's overcoats in the basement), chenille, boobyeyes, marabou, weighted stuff (like little balls for their heads) etc.

Seals fur all colours will do your drys and wets, Hares mask, cdc, Pheasant tail, Marabou, Have a look at the step by steps and see what your wanting to tie and what the most common materials are

5. Almost finished. I need to order some hooks. I was thinking of getting some 14's and 16's to start with but what about make and model?
Dry or wet? I always use kamasan for my wets b170 or b175

5. Finally as I'm stuck in a country which doesn't really have fly fishing shops where is the best (and by that I mean cheap & reliable) place to get these things - I'd like to pay via paypal as I've just sold some stuff on eBay and have a full account ready for my new investments.

Lakeland fly tying ship international. Celtic fly craft, Fly tying boutique. Theres tons if you havea look around mate

Thanks for all your help and advice.

Hope this helps theres a lot of other people on the forum that will give advice.

[jonnied17-2008]

Re capes. A neck will give you the most versatile range of hackles, I would reccomend a half neck, whiting are the best for dries, and bronze grade is perfectly adequate for any dry fly. Try and choose a nice versatile colour too, IMO I would happily use grizzle for any hackled dry, but a medium dun will go with a lot of patterns too.

As for hooks, do you need barbed or barbless? Kamasan are reliable hooks to work with. B170's and B405's are great for dry fly work. I'm not sure of a cheap barbless hook but im sure others will be able to reccomend.

A ceramic bobbin holder and a good pair of scissors will be a worthy investment.

Pheasant tail, hares fur, peacock and brown partridge are all very useful and versatile materials that I would reccomend you investing in.

[marmalade]

Grip hooks are good for barbless.. What sort of budget do you have?

[Vermontdrifter]

Hi Mouche,

Whereabouts are you in Belgium? There are a few forum members down here in Luxembourg and we sometimes fish up in the Ardennes.

Take care

Terry

[arkle]

Hello Mouche & welcome to the forum. You don't mention where you are fishing, so perhaps the choice of #14's/16's is a bit ambitious to start learning on.

Have you looked on The FDG website to see if there's a branch near you ? it could well be the best move you make before you start buying & trying to tie by yourself !