Decent low-cost tying tools?

[JBplusThuy]

I'm interested in getting started tying a few of my own flies (partly out of interest, partly because there just aren't many fly shops around here, partly because a lot of patterns that people like, such as jitterbees, gillinatators, etc, AFAICT don't seem to be commercially available). What are some reasonable low-cost tools and vise to get started with? Would you buy a kit? Why, or why not? Most kits, especially ones that come with material, seem trout-oriented. Would that still be a good way to start out getting basic experience tying the flies the kits are designed to make?

 

About materials, I've heard craft shops are good sources of material at a much better price than fly shops. Any advice on that? What is a basic list of things I should have for making bluegill flys?

 

Question on thread: is it the same as sewing thread? If so, I can raid my wife's sewing supplies :)

 

What hooks do you like for bluegill flies?

 

Finally, any other advice/ideas/links to good basic tutorials on tying simple things like foam spiders are much appreciated!

 

Thanks,

 

Jonathan

[Richard Wayne]

I started with a low cost Skykomish Beginning Fly Tying kit which I'm not sure is made anymore. It came with a pamphlet with very good instructions for tying some basic flies. The Cabela's beginner's tying kit looks similar. It got me going. You're right, most kits seem trout oriented. But once you get the hang of a few basic flies, then you can tie bass and bluegill flies which are usually simpler.

 

Just this week, I found a great comparison of tying vises  - http://www.flyfishohio.com/Vise%20Review%201/Fly_Tying_Vise_Shoot-O.... I'm going to put the Danica Danvise on my gift list for next Christmas.

 

I (my wife actually) recently got 2mm foam from JoAnn's fabrics. It's cheaper than even Cabelas at crafts stores. Recipes for bluegill flies are easily found on the Internet. There's also good videos on YouTube. You might want to get a copy of Terry & Roxanne Wilson's book Bluegill Fly Fishing and Flies - http://thebluegillpond.com/index.php.

 

Interesting question on the thread - I found 2 posts - http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php/25138-Thre...-) and http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/general-fly-tying-discussi.... It looks worth a try.

 

[JBplusThuy]

Thanks for your very thoughtful and informative reply, Richard. The links were also very helpful, and the Danvise does sound very interesting. The entire vise review link was great! I'm now leaning toward starting with the Cabela's kit and upgrading to a Danvise down the road.

 

Thanks!

 

Jonathan

[Richard Wayne]

That sounds like a good path to follow.

[Greg McWilliams]

http://kwsu.org/Offers/FlyTying.aspx

   After you find the kit you want these videos are a great way to get started learning to tie. I think you will find a lot of trout patterns make great blue gill flies. I usually tie with weight add or bead chain eyes!!!!!!

 As far as threads go sewing thread will work but tying thead is usually thinner, I use an     8/o thread is if fine and tough!!!

[Keith Owen]

Jonathan,

 

The Guys have provided some really good advice. I too started out (30 some odd years ago) with a kit that included a vise, some tools and an assortment of materials. You will invest a lot of time and money along the way. If I can, I would like to try and shorten your travel time and lessen your overall investment. You can get everything you need (without getting things you don't) for the same money.

 

I liked the vises I got with most of the kits I bought over the years. Many of these were made by Sunrise and would hold the majority of the hooks I wanted to tie on pretty well. As I tied larger flies (for Bass and Saltwater spp.) I found that it would eventually spring the jaws and it wouldn't hold smaller hooks anymore. No big deal, I picked up another one fairly cheap. Used one for big stuff, the other for smaller stuff. When I tied deer-hair flys I bore down on it pretty hard so had to use pliers to tighten it up. Boogered another one. Short story on this is, save your pennies up (like I had to) and spring for a top quality vise right off the bat. You will be money ahead in the long run. The Dan-vise equipment is top-notch but all a little complicated for me (I have one but loan it out more than I use it). Take a look at some of the ones made by Regal. Simple, fast and solid.

 

This has already run too long but I just want to add a word on materials... The kits have LOTS of cool stuff. I still have most of it from all those kits I bought years ago. I would suggest picking out 2 or 3 patterns you want to fish (simple patterns at first) and get what you need for 3 dozen each. When you master one, move on to the next. The last few will look better than the first. Don't be afraid to cut everything off the hook and start over.

 

You can find MILLIONS of patterns/recipies on the internet. Someone suggested using foam, these types of flies are easy to tie, cheap on materials and catch TONS of fish (and are as durable as a anything can be).

 

WARNING!! Tying your own flies is highly addictive and there is NO KNOWN TREATMENT! You will start seeing tying materials everywhere. Your significant other's fuzzy slippers, Grandma's fur trimmed winter coat, the tassels on a child's bicycle....

 

Give me a holler if you like, we didn't even touch on tools.

 

Best Fishes,

Keith

[JBplusThuy]

Thanks, Keith. I did go with the Cabela's kit, but then was sidelined for a few months with a shoulder injury and didn't tie or fish or drive on do much of anything. Mostly recovered now and last week I finally had a chance to break it out for the first time and tie up a few San Juan worms. It was fun, looking forward to trying a few others.

 

My 8-year old thinks it looks fascinating and wants to learn, so I'll take her through a couple SJ worm videos, then turn her loose. Her small, nimble fingers may do a lot better than my stiff, arthritic ones :-)

 

A few years ago I had a few highly realistic blue damselfly patterns that were pretty attractive to bluegill, but they tended to nip at the tail, missing the hook entirely. I plan to try making some with a very long-shank hook or maybe with a stinger hook in the tail.

 

The Cabela's vise is OK for what it is. Good enough for now.  I can see a ceramic bobbin in my future.

 

Cheers,

 

Jonathan