Advice For A Beginner Please

[keef68]

Hi,

I'd like to start tying my own flies, but I'm not sure where to start as regards gear.
There seems to be a bewildering range available!
I don't want to spend too much money to start with, and would really appreciate your advice on the best vices, materials etc.

I'd prefer a table top vice ( for practical reasons). I'd like to know if it's best to buy a starters kit, or buy the materials, tools and vice separately. I'd also be grateful for recommendations of particular makes of vice etc

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Keith

[arkle]

Keith, welcome along to the madhouse. This subject is covered regularly here. Please use the "search" facility at the top of the page f.f.i.

[itchybeard]

Originally Posted by arkle

Keith, welcome along to the madhouse. This subject is covered regularly here. Please use the "search" facility at the top of the page f.f.i.

Hi Keith, Arkle is right but if you can't find what you are looking for let us know.

In short & IMO Good tools, Good Vise and quality materials to tie flies that you will use.
The Step by steps on this forum are brilliant.

Let us know how you get on Happy Tying

[keef68]

Thanks for that guys. I've had a look at some previous posts, and the advice seems to be not to buy a kit, and to make sure you get a ceramic lined bobbin holder.
I've had a look at some specific items on various sites, and I'd appreciate your opinion on the following.

Regent lever vice on pedestal - £29.99

Veniard Beginners Materials - £14.99 ( seemed a better bet than one of the fifty quid boxes with loads of stuff I'll possibly never use)

Stillwater Tool Selection - from £7.99 to about £30 (GAC)

Are these particular items a good place to start?

Cheers,

Keith

[shpeil]

I have the Regent lever (c-clamp) rotatable vice. It's certainly not going to win any awards for beauty and the jaws on mine are ever so slightly mis-aligned, suggesting build quality may not be up there with the best. however, having said that, it performs its function superbly well. I've tied on sizes 8 down to 20 with no difficulties at all in hooks slipping. It does me fine and I'd be happy to recommend it as an inexpensive but effecive place to start. Think mine cost under £20, though I didn't get the pedestal version. You might be able to get one cheaper than £29.99 if you shop around.

No info on the other items, I'm afraid.

[christy27]

Not long ago I was in a simalar position. I found several boxes full of "stuff" on the bay and ended up with loads for about 40.00. Worth a look, sift through the new stuff and find unwanted treasures. HTH