OK, I cant stand it anymore.....

[Vince Fusco]

    I have been bitten by the fly tying bug. I'm told the bite is vicious, and the effects can be long lasting. My only source of cheap flies has moved, and now Bass Pro seems to be my only other option for flies that I can actually see before buying. I have tried tying some jigs with no real success. I guess a bench vise doesn't work as well as a fly tying vice? Like I mentioned in a earlier post, my jigs came out looking like a mad cat that had been dipped in water. I tried using hair from a road kill deer tail, wrapping it with red sewing thread, and sealing it with my wife's clear finger nail polish. After a few casts the hair started falling out and I was left with pretty much a bare jig.  

  Could anyone recommend a cheap vise that would work well enough to tie some jigs, and perhaps some basic flies with, as well as a book, or online instructional videos.  I do not have a clue as to what makes one vise better than another, and from what I understand materials can get kinda expensive, so I want to spend my money wisely.  All help will be greatly appreciated. 

[pat]

I bought a crown vise from bass pro It has probably tied over 5000 flies with no problems cost 40dollars If you go on the internet and type in bluegill flies you will have all the flie patterns you can use PatL

[JBplusThuy]

I have a cheapo Cabela's vise that came in their fly tying kit. It's not fancy, but it does the job. I don't have time to tie much, but I can see where a rotary vise would come in handy. Maybe if I'm really good I can get one for Christmas <g>

YouTube has a lot of instructional videos (some good, some lacking), and of course, bigbluegill.com contains a wealth of information on tying.

[Lee]

 You don't need a hi-dollar vice just make sure you get one that clamps the size hooks you use solidly and has a heavy base or clamp, you don't want stuff moving around while your tieing. Good scissors, Bodkin, Tweezers and a Bobbin. I prefer crazy Glue over head cement. You can get Alot of materials from craft stores ( cheaper too ) and from your Hunting friends along with many other places. Don't laugh but I use clippings from my Labs tail, Hi Flotation!

 I tie alot of foam bugs there quick and easy to tie not alot of materials involved, you can get foam at any craft store in different colors along with small doll eyes, use spinner bait skirts for legs. Tyings fun but very addictive once you catch a few fish on something you tied there'no going back!

[Vince Fusco]

I cant wait to try tying a jig, and have it come out looking like one. I have plenty of time, and patience right now. Thanks for your words of encouragement ,Jim.

[Jim Gronaw]

Vince...I use a cheap BPS White River tying vise that they don't even make anymore, buy lots of tying materials at craft stores and use Crazy Glue, with the brush, as my 'head cement'.  I do not know how to use a 'whip finish' tool, and don't own a pair of hackle pliers ( although that item would make tying hackle jigs a lot easier). You don't need to have tons of tools or materials to get in on the jig craze.

You will need some patience, and some time...good luck!

[Vince Fusco]

I  just watched them tie a baby leach fly. I hope one day to be able to tie some fish catching flies myself. 

[Vince Fusco]

Thanks guys, I will check this out. I looked at the Super AA vice at a few spots online today. I have a birthday on the 24th, and showed this vice to my wife, along with a thread spool  holder, and some scissors. Is there anything else besides hooks and feathers or other tying materials i will need to start tying?

[Ronnie M.]

Greg those are good tying shows. Forgot about them but always enjoy the shows each time I watch em.

[Greg McWilliams]

What RONNIE said!!!!!!!!

Here are some guys that will teach you!!!!!!

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

[Ronnie M.]

Welcome to the tying madness. Any vice would be better than trying to tie on a bench vice! You can get a Super AA Vice for 13.00 at all the places that sell tying supplies. You will fine a lot of videos on you-tube that shows about any jig or fly you may want to tie.