[overbrook]

The question has come up a number of times recently and often does....I'm gonna start this thread and hopefully keep adding to it for a while....when I have the time...I will post a reasonable list of starter materials,tools etc. for the beginner as well as start posting some very easy beginner patterns that will catch fish...and advance from there......

One thing to consider before jumping in is how serious are you about tying flies....there are two types of tyers in my opinion....the guy who is gonna tie a few flies here and there just to supplement his box....
and those who are going to truly make a hobby of it.

If you are only planning on tying simple flies to fish with...you will need only the basics...if you really wish to learn to tie a whole wide range of flies...you will need advanced tools and a higher quality vise...I recommend getting these from the start!
Inferior tools and materials will only cause frustration and disappointment in your flies.
With that said...I'm going to recommend two vises....
1st the simple version... A "regal" knock-off these can be purchased for as little as $30...I recommend these because other vises that use a lever as a cam break easily...both the pins and the jaws....this vise has very strong jaws,and uses a spring action that when the lever is pushed...the jaws open when released the jaws close securely on the hook...


If your a little more serious...and believe this is something you want to do for the long term...and your going to commit the time and money to tying flies for some time....I recommend the Renzetti cam traveler....just ask anyone who has one...they are the best of the best ...dollar for dollar...there are more expensive vises, there are other "high end" vises slightly cheaper....but this is the one I'm most comfortable recommending...
(I also recommend the pedestal base version) C-clamp model is pictured








Other tools you will need include a bobbin...this is the tool that holds the spool of thread....they can be bought for a couple of dollars...I recommend the ceramic tip version...around $10


a bobbin threader....tool with fine wire assists in getting thread thru the tube of the bobbin.


Scissors.....a cheap pair can be bought for about $5 or I recommend Dr.Slicks...or Anvil ice tempered scissors. These will run $16-$25 or so. get a pair with a fine point...and DO NOT CUT WIRE with them....find a small pair of side cutters or buy a "cheapie" pair of scissors for that.
Anvil Ice tempered...


I also strongly recommend the Matterelli style whip finish tool...there are folks who can put a whip finish on a fly with thier fingers,and are good at it...but I recommend learning to use this tool....(this ties the knot to finish the fly)these tools also come in a "midge" version,and an extended version...the extended version is good for tying behind the heads of poppers...and the midge version is to give more control when tying teeny tiny flies the basic "no name" version $4-$7


a bodkin...which simply put is a long needle with a handle...it has a thousand uses! $2


a pair of tweezers...preferably something with a needle point that opens when you squeeze them and closes when you release them $2


A hair stacker.... small two piece tool for aligning the tips of deer,elk and other hair used to tie flies.Stackers come in several sizes from small to large and in several materials including plastic,brass,aluminum,and wood.Some are made to reduce static...but all I've ever used is the basic brass version $5 -$10


hackle pliers...small device used to grip a hackle feather while wrapping it....again many kinds...my recommendation...."duplex jawed " pliers...one side is metal the other is textured rubber. $3-$5

A dubbing loop "turbo" twister....this is a weighted tool with two "hooks" that is used to spin a dubbing loop into a dubbing rope. $5-$10


these things should give you a really good start...there are many other gadgets that can be bought such as a dubbing teaser,fur comb or rake,hair snare,parachute gallows tool.and so on....but they are not "essential tools.

[hutchyoung]

Super cool and very helpful...Nice to have access to a community of people who are willing to give freely of their time and knowledge. Thanks alot!

[Keels1225]

I'd like to recommend one other vise for the beginner. Someone gave me an EZ Rotary vise about six months ago, and I have been pretty impressed with what you get for the money. It's modeled after the renzetti, and costs about 40$ for which you get a pedestal and clamp base. The rotary function is not as smooth, but it hold hooks well. I tie with it about every day, and have had no problems so far. I do plan on eventually upgrading to the traveler, but if you're on a budget like me (broke college student), or not sure yet if tying is for you, this could be an option. So if you can afford it, go ahead and get the renzetti, but if you don't have the money...I'd take a look at this one.

[Redband]

Thought I'd pass this link along. While the article doesn't include many vises under $100 it's a pretty good summary of the mid-range to high end vises.

http://flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwvise/

[Phil]

Overbrook, thanks for starting this thread.

It isn't just helpful for beginners -- it's helpful for people like me. I quit tying flies many years ago, and and just getting back into it. Seeing what new tools are available and how they have vastly improved in the past 15 years is an eye opener. My vise, bobbin, tweezers, and hackle pliers need to be upgraded.
Once again, good stuff.

[overbrook]

Phil...your welcome I just hope i don't cost you a pocket full of money..

Guys....this question comes up all the time...so i thought it would be a good thread to start....understand that this is just one person's opinion...and I don't know everything,and I may not cover every single angle....but my intention is to give the beginner the best overall advise I can...weighing out all the factors...people are gonna have different views on vises,tools and materials....so please feel free to jump in and add your two cents worth!

Keels....while I have'nt tied on that particular vise...I have tried many other vises in the $10-$100 range and none have held up longer than a few months of hard use...I even had the Danvise and it broke in several places....the only exception is the one I posted....my renzetti that I currently am tying on is every bit of 12-13 yrs old...maybe older...not a sign of wear other than the loss of shine... So again...I don't mind ya posting a contradictory opinion...but I've only got my experience to go on.
Plumbob....I plan to keep updating and editing the info...but your point is one that should be made! I have intentions of also posting tutorials on how to use the tools...and give more specific info on them....just wanted to cover what the general items were that will be needed. Anyway...you guys that have plenty of experience...feel free to jump in....
I'm also gonna start posting some fly patterns as I have the time....and as simple as some may be to a bunch of us...those that have never tied before may appreciate something that "even they can do" and the basic skills they learn will carry on to more difficult patterns later...
Michele wants a digital camera (and so do I...just don't tell her i said that) and if we get one...maybe I can do some video tutorials!

[overbrook]

I also plan to post a list of materials for the beginner...and somewhere would also like to post some info on various materials explaining the difference between various materials such as strung neck hackle,dry fly neck hackle,saddle hackle,dry fly quality saddle hackle,spey hackle and so on...I think feathers are one of the things that can easily confuse the beginner...and making the wrong choices for hackle to tie dry flies is one of the things that frustrates the beginner the most.

[boneinthearmy]

I'll pitch in too, though I'm hardly more than a beginner myself.

DRY FLY HACKLE :

Rooster Necks

These offer the most variety in sizes of hackle, and usually offer the stiffest barbs for tying dries. It is important to purcahse the best quality neck you can afford. If not you will wind up with hackles that twist and are so brittle they will break. Necks that are dyed, as opposed to natural color, also have a tenedency to be more brittle as well. Necks produced by Whiting, Metz, and Collins are top grade.

Whiting hackles seem to have the highest barb count, I like them for Wulf style flies and other attractors and will also tie beards on nymphs ( prince nymph) .

Hackles from a Metz neck have a sparser barb count, and the quill seems a little stiffer. I like these necks for Traditional Catskill style dries ( quill gordon ) , I also use the larger feathers at the bases for flatwing streamer ( black ghost).

Collins Farms produces some of the finest feathers in lots of natural shades espeacially barred feathers ( grizzly ) and are realitively inexpensive. However Collins is a small producer and hackle is some times hard to find.

Try to avoid to avoid necks from Rupmff and Keough, espeacially if you are not selecting the hackles in person.


Rooster saddles

Saddles offer long feathers, and the majority will be of two to possilbly three sizes, with a few odd balls in either direction. The advantage to saddles are that a single feather may tie three to four flies and if you only tie in say #16 or #14 chances are you can find a saddle that will last a long time. It is also easier IMHO to work with a longer feather because I wiil tie with my fingers instead of hackle pliers; but if you are just starting it is important to learn to use your' equipment

The same Brand names apply but there are fewer differences in each except price.


If at all possible select your own hackle from your local flyshop and don't be afraid to ask questions of the folks there. Better to ask than have $60.00 in chicken feathers instead of the hackle you need.

[plumbob]

Looks like this will be a very usefull thread. You may want to get one of the Mods to flip this over into the tutorial section and make it a sticky so this dosen't get lost in the other threads through time. Just a thought .

[J_Thomas]

Tom,
Thanks for doing this. Very informative for the beginning tyer.

I would add a 1/2 hitch tool to the basics.

And the best advice Tom gave you guys is this. Do not buy cheap scissors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JT