Fly-Tying Kit?

[Fishbusters]

I think I am finally getting the bug to try my hand at fly-tying. My kids have an interest in this too as they got to tie one at a recent outdoor show. What I would be looking at tying the most of is a size 12 Adams for bream as well as a few other dry flies as well as some streamers. I don't usually use a lot of nymphs or wet flies (unless I am trout fishing) but I might want to tie a few as well. As well as the smaller flies I also live close to the coast and have an interest in tying some larger streamers and other flies up to a size 2/0 (or perhaps bigger) for S/W and largemouth fishing. Will the vise in a kit designed for most F/W tying work on the larger S/W hooks or do I need a larger vise? I guess what I want to know is do I go ahead an purchase a complete kit or do I need to get a vise and such and then one of those basic material packages. Or perhaps I need to look at a kit and extra vise for larger flies. I am not wanting to do all of it at once and really want to start with the smaller flies and work my way up but I see no sense in spending money on something only to have to spend more later to upgrade if I can do it all with one purchase.

 

[Specks n Reds]

Re: Fly-Tying Kit?

One vise should do both small trout and saltwater streamers.<br /><br />Check e-barf I seen a vises go for under $10<br />and lots of materials available.<br />You need a good pair of tying scissors too

 

[two2canoe]

Re: Fly-Tying Kit?

An excellent book to learn fly tying is "Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple" by Skip Morris. It will walk you through tying a range of dries and streamers as well as wets and nymphs. It will show you what tools are needed. A good vise is essential. Good doesn't have to be expensive. I've been using a Cabela's Master Vice for several years and it works fine. Has different sized jaws to handle hooks from smaller than I can tie to big salt water ones. Cost me about $25.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Fly-Tying Kit?

I've seen prices all over the board for vices but as the old saying goes "You get what you pay for." It really depends on how technical you want to get. I've been tying for about 15 years and from personal experience have noticed many of the vices offered in beginner kits to be something that most folks end up replacing after they understand their limitations. I have had a few along the way and am very happy with my Regal rotary vice. Indeed there are fancier and more expensive but this is a fairly simple design and offers a lot of room to grow with as your tying demands become more technical. I tie a lot of deer hair bass bugs and like to be able to work at several angles when spinning and trimming hair. The Regal affords my ability to tie down to about a #20 midge and will also hold a 2/0 without any problem.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Fly-Tying Kit?

Thanks guys I am making a pre-Christmas list so now that I know the same vise will work for both sizes I would want to tie I will look at a few and add one to it as well as the basic tools and material kit. As to scissors I fell into a quantity of surgical scissors of differing sizes and blade configurations so I think I have it there.