Getting started

[rocknrollcast]

I know pretty much nothing about fly-tying, but I'd like to have a go. What books do people recommend and what basic equipment do i need? What sort of vice? Should I go for one of those all-you-need kits (instinct says not)?

Any pointers gratefully received. If this has been dealt with on another thread please push me in the right direction.

ithangyew

[Clansman]

I personally would not get a kit. Get youself a vice for about £25-£50 (Snowbee Fly Mate is about£40) and work out what flies you want to tie/use and only buy the materials for those flies to start and practice with. You should also get a dubbing needle, Whip Finish tool and some Head cements/varnish.
Also if you have a branch of The Fly Dressers Guild nearby go along to one of their tying nights and you will get a lot of useful and helfull advice, and meet like minded people.

[christy27]

I would recommend Basic Fly Tying by Charlie Craven. Although it is American everything applies and there are plenty of photos to guide you through various processes. Really good book and a bit of humour sprinkled in for good measure. Ebay 22.00.

As for kit I got most of mine off ebay buying complete kits. I bought two lots at about 35.00 each. Ended up with loadsa stuff and tools. Sure I still have to buy some things for specific tyings but hey I got off to a great start with what I bought. If I had to buy individually it would have cost a load of dosh.
Go for the biggest lot you can find. It's fun sorting it through plus it helps familarise you with what you have-I wrote it all down so now a quick look through my little red book tells me I have "it" somewhere lol.

Buying individually would mean a list as long as your arm and still things missing. I recommend buying a few lots as a good start.

HTH Chris...

[Highlander]

Should I go for one of those all-you-need kits (instinct says not

Nothing wrong with a kit, Many good tyers have started out with a basic kit.
By your own admission you know naught, so how will you know what to buy?
OK you might know someone who can help or you could like someone mentioned join Fly Dressers Guild . You could even put yourself in the hands of a good tackle shop who could advise on what to purchase.
So what are we talking about with a kit.
A range of basic tools & a cheap vice & some dodgy material but hey it will get you started.
So for about £50 tops you get enough materials to tie a few flies, an instruction book & in some of the "better"ones a DVD. Get one, get a few flies under your belt & then buy some better gear & don't forget come on here with questions. Don't get the hang of it, stick it on E Bay & you will probably get your money back. I have to laugh at some of these guys on here that criticize buying a kit,
For a box of gear & they buy Whiting capes at £50 a whip & then lam-blast anyone that buys a kit. Hmmmm
Tight Lines

[Clansman]

I agre with Highlander, there is nothing wrong with buying a kit there are some good kits out there.
I mentioned the Fly Dressers Guild in my earlier post and they are doing a membership offer of a tying kuit with book, for £38.00.
Here's the link to there membership page. The Fly Dressers Guild

I will also say I would not spend £50 on a whiting cape although I know many who would.

[sabsman]

I'm sure you will generate quite a few mixed results from your question, but to add my two-pennyworth...I started tying the early part of last year and purchased kits off Ebay. The problem is that the cheap stuff is very sub-standard and therefore as someone just starting out you won't realise whats good and whats not.

The most frustrating thing as a beginner is thread breaks, I have now learned that the majority of my early breakages were down to poor quality tooling and inferior threads.

You can go cheap on the vice (it only holds the hook) but I suggest you invest in a good ceramic bobbin holder, decent threads and quality materials.

There are some good kits out there but you can end up with a load of stuff you won't use.

As I say, just my two pennyworth!!!

PS. Loads of good tutorial videos here.

Sabsman.

[bbj]

When I started tying - many moons ago - I was told "buy the best you can afford". There are bargains out there but you have to know what your looking at!
That said, buying a kit would be a good start point as you don't want to spend loads and then find fly tying isn't for you. If your hooked (pun intended) then follow the above maxim.

[rocknrollcast]

Thanks for all this advice. And thank you Highlander for the invitation to come back with questions.

In fact a kit seems quite sensible, because otherwise where do you start in terms of materials?

Vices are rotating and non-rotating. Does it matter?

I suppose you don't want to spend so much that its a waste if you don't get on with it, but not so little that if you do (get on with it) you've got serviceable kit

[morpheus171991]

when i started tying just over a year ago i had a very cheap vice very few tools and a bag full of old materials and i managed to get myself started with just that but a few friends have bought kits and said they are ok , but you end up buying some stuff anyway. but beware it can/will get very addicting and pretty expensve too. oh and as a book id suggest the fly tyers bible by pete gathercole, i just got it a few days ago and its helped improve my tying by breaking down the flies and being very clear and easy to follow. ceramic bobbin holder a god send as well.
Tom

[scubacrazy123]

Strange. Last few times this question has been asked, the overall concensus was DON'T buy a kit !!
Usually, the advice is decide on a few patterns, get just the materials for those patterns, buy a basic tool kit and vice, then when you are a bit more knowledgeable, go from there.
A kit generally contains a lot of cr@p, or materials which otherwise won't sell.
Try contacting a few of the retailers on here, with your list of flies you want to tie, and they will customise a kit for you which is a far better, and more cost effective option, in my opinion.
Cheers,
Gary.