Advice needed

[MARAZION MIDGE]

Iv been pestered into starting a fly tying night, with the view of holding them once a fortnight. 3 of my mates had kits for xmas and a couple others have kits but cant seem to get the hang of tying, flies keep falling to bits, or so they say.

My question is where should I start? I was thinking of showing them the basic
tools and to use the dreaded the whip finish tool, then moving on to tie a couple of spiders, and talking about its use and how to fish it.

Would this be a good start for the first meet or is there something else I should do.
The nearest guild of fly tyers is Bristol I think! so 150 miles away and thats why their stuck with me.

Thanks
Mike

[Alanc]

I think it maybe an idea if you suggest to them that they all purchase a very cheap fly tying book and preferably all get the same one and then just work through the book with them. that way they can practice at home what is being taught through the book.

Alan

[SharkeyP]

I wouldn't start with Spiders, too easy to mess up. Those soft game hackles are very fragile!

How about a few simple buzzers, get them used to thread wraps, catching in wire ribs, tinsel etc. with pinch loops. Easy to tie off without catching hackles and bomb-proof when varnished. Leave the feathers until the week after.

David Cammiss has an excellent series of beginners SBS videos on YouTube, walks you through the first principles. Brings in new techniques one at a time.

If you can do a buzzer an Apps isn't much harder. Lures are big and mostly straightforward and you can use stronger threads.

Get them to bring the beers.

Happy wrapping!

SharkeyP

[Chris Reeves]

Rather than tie a series of flies, why not concentrate on learning a new technique each week(session) and tying a fly that uses that technique and any previously learned ones.
For instance, in week one just go through the tools, control of silk and importance of tension and torque. They will want to tie at least one fly so do a simple thread buzzer.
In week 2 start off with a simple wet, Three techniques here, (1) tie in a tail, (2) wrap a silk body, (3) tie in and wrap a hen hackle. (Not a game hackle)
For the next session make the body out of peacock herl and add a rib, 2 more steps learned.
Carry on in this way until you have an inventory of about a dozen simple and frequently used techniques. Then tie some flies that repeat these techniques but concentrate on improving proportions and balance of the flies. You should see a constant improvement over a few sessions.
Remember that if someone is struggling, take them back to the steps they can do with confidence and then push them gently forwards again.
Remind them there is no such thing as a stupid question, no such thing as the right way to tie a fly (although some techniques make life a lot easier and neater than others) and finally that the only bad fly is one that falls apart before it hits the water.

Cheers

[MARAZION MIDGE]

Some sensible advice there for me to take on board, I was thinking that the spider I was going to tie, a simple thread body with rib finished with a 2 turn hackle was simple, but maybe the buzzer will be better, do I ask them to add cheeks at this stage?? or keep it plain with rib.

Don't worry about the beer sharkey!! Im Cornish so thought of that.

The first meet is upstairs at THE LIBERAL CLUB ST.COLUMB
CORNWALL TR9 6HL 7.30pm ish

If anyone one wants to come along you will be welcome.

Thanks for the advice guys, This may be harder than I thought.

PS
would it be wise to charge a £1 each to buy materials or tools for more
complex stuff later.

[Alanc]

you wont get much for £1.00 each try £2.00 each.

Alan

[Chris Reeves]

Having run club nights as well as teaching an evening class for a couple of years, I find that people,l like to buy their own materials rather than share yours.
I publish a materials list for the coming week thus allowing them to buy their own if they want.

I also publish a list at the start of term with the "must have" materials which are:-

Peacock herl,
Black , Green, Red, Yellow 6/0 silk,
Silver,copper, gold wire in fine size
Cock pheasant Centre tail,
Silver and Gold lurex (Get the Double sided)
Assorted embroidery floss,
Greens, browns, Yellow shades can be robbed from the sewing box,
Marabou, assorted colours.

Once you add in a couple of genetic capes or saddles for the group to share you can tie a wide variety of flies.

Cheers

[bigbadtroutfisher]

Hi Mike, i would teach them to tie flies that they will use in there fishing if they fish rivers then teach them to tie spiders, dries and nymphs!
Things that they will use and appreciate when they catch fish on the flies they tie
Robert

[MARAZION MIDGE]

Hi chaps,
The tying club is a real success maybe to good!! as its hard to spread your time out between all, but still everyone seems happy and I think a mate is coming to lend me a hand even though hes into saltwater flies more.

QUESTIONS
I know its still early days but a couple of queries regards fly tying guild.
1, would it be worth joining
2, what benefit would it be to our club
3, is there any downside to joining
4, would I or someone need to obtain a qualification of some sort to teach tying techniques if we joined.
Thanks in advance
Mike

[arkle]

Mike, you may recall we spoke about this a year or so ago. If you need further advice & it's not going to be any hassle from my end, then please give me a call. P.M. me if you've lost my number.

Don't forget to check out Gwent Angling Society videos by the way.

1.YES.
2.Loads.
3.Just getting started. You need to have more than 3 people to get it going properly, so some degree of long term commitment is essential.
4.Unlikely, but there are options available if you need them later.