Questions,

[wellycod]

I am currently in the process of building up my first fly tying kit and i've got a few questions for the more experienced tyers out there....

When buying tools, what are the basics tools i'l require and where should i be looking to buy quality, for example should a buy a cheep bobbin holder or am i better going for quality the same with wip finisher and any other tools?

next im confused with varnishes and epoxy is there a difference what should i use to finish heads and coat buzzers?

and lastly different types of hackles... what hackles do i need for tying drys like klinks and these are obviously different from a spider but whats the difference and where do you get the different types from?

Sorry about the inexperience any help much appreciated thanks in advance

[BRUCE1]

Originally Posted by wellycod

I am currently in the process of building up my first fly tying kit and i've got a few questions for the more experienced tyers out there....

When buying tools, what are the basics tools i'l require and where should i be looking to buy quality, for example should a buy a cheep bobbin holder or am i better going for quality the same with wip finisher and any other tools?

next im confused with varnishes and epoxy is there a difference what should i use to finish heads and coat buzzers?

and lastly different types of hackles... what hackles do i need for tying drys like klinks and these are obviously different from a spider but whats the difference and where do you get the different types from?

Sorry about the inexperience any help much appreciated thanks in advance

buy a decent ceramic will last for ever near enough, as for whip finishers a matterelli style rotating one (can get them cheap) or learn to whip finish by hand ..
acouple of pairs of scissors one for cutting wire etc (cheap pair ) and a half decent pair for finishing off etc

as for varnish all i use is sally hansens ,hard as nails ..

dries are dressed with cock hackles , try gerry on here (ruthvenflyfisher).

no need for sorry W..as anyone ..if you dont know ..ask

[mancfly]

"and lastly different types of hackles... what hackles do i need for tying drys like klinks and these are obviously different from a spider but whats the difference and where do you get the different types from?"

For klinks you need decent cock hackles but they don't need to be that expensive, just up to the job and the right size. Spiders need softer, mobile hackles, hen or soft, game bird hackles like partridge.

I, and many others on here, can highly recommend:
Cookshill Fly Tying Materials for top quality natural materials at very good prices. Give Steve a ring and he will sort you out.

He also sells Pearsalls silk, great for trad spiders, but quite a thick diameter if you are a newbie. Get some finer tying threads like Uni, Ultra or Danvilles to get neater tyings. 7/0 and 8/0 threads are the most useful.

Any of the Veniards tools are good, hackle pliers, bobbin holder (ceramic), bobbin threader, whip finisher etc. Scissors, a pair of Boots nail scissors for wire and thick stuff, a good pair of fine point scissors for fine work, Veniards are good, but so are many other more expensive, "designer" brands.

Other than Sally Hansen "Hard as Nails", you don't need anything else at this stage as far as varnish is concerned.

[wellycod]

cheers lads

[maharg]

A big darning needle is very handy also. Take an old tooth brush and cut off most of the handle then cut the brisles of the actual brush in a taper from the front(short) to the back( long). A good dubbing scrubber.
Or get a lolly stick and glue a piece of velcro,( the hook part,) about a cm square on to the end, this does the same job.