Fly Tying Kits

[grayer]

Hey guys,

As a new fly fisherman I have caught the bug and have become addicted…as I was warned. I have been getting really interested by fly tying and would like to invest in a kit just to get me started! I have looked at a few, and as a university student, usually cheaper the better lol. I was wondering what you guys had to get started when you began to tie flies. Also wondering what you think of this kit I found through bass pro. Would this be a good starter kit? Reviews seem good. Hope you guys can help me out!

http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-Fly-Tying-Kit-Trout-Tying/product/27765/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL

Cheers!

 

[Brian]

I think this kit looks like a great starter kit...I can see you using out most of the materials you get with it...
I still use most of the tools I got with mine...I just added one of those ceramic bobbins and dr slick scissors after using the standard stuff for a year...

 

[coldfeet]

As good a place to start as any, wish I had that thingy that threads the thread through the bobbin when I started, that used to drive me nuts

 

[Christopheraaron]

I wouldn't do it, making your own kit isn't very expensive and you can make it specific to what you want to tie. What flies do you like to fish?

 

[grayer]

Chris, Im still learning what fish like what. In my area what I would typically fly fish for is Brown trout, Some brook trout, smallies/largies, and the odd steelhead and salmon outing! Mostly targeting browns

 

[Cody309]

I agree with Chris here - When I started tying I purchased the Cabella's starter kit, and although it got me off to a start, I soon realized that the flies I wanted to tie used none of the materials they supplied.

If I could turn back time (sang like Cher), I would have constructed my own starter kit for sure!

 

[Christopheraaron]

streamers, dries, nymphs, do you have a preference?

 

[staffman]

It looks good to me . I started with a similar kit and enjoy tying flies for pinning.

 

[Christopheraaron]

It looks good to me . I started with a similar kit and enjoy tying flies for pinning.

wooly buggers and PTN's aren't REAL flies haha

 

[Cody309]

wooly buggers and PTN's aren't REAL flies haha

C'mon now, why the hate on the bugger?
I myself prefer large streamer patterns, hence why Cabella's didn't work the greatest for me

 

[Dozer]

Figure out what you want to spin and buy separately.

 

[staffman]

wooly buggers and PTN's aren't REAL flies haha

I prefer nymphs instead of woolly buggers as I do better with them.

 

[Brian]

Creep before you walk...then run....take it in stages...it takes time and practice to get good at it...
Starter kits are made to assist you in starting up...I'm still happy I got mine and with the knowledge and experience I have now I can say that the starter kit that you linked looks good....I looked at all the materials in it and you can use it all for trout flies (as you said your main target is gonna be browns). Its not gonna waste...
All starter kits are not the same; my kit was not like that...and I'm sure there are many different ones...

 

[fishermandan420]

Id Buy theee kit that comes with the least materials but tools. Like above I've ugraded scissors and bobbin,but Still keep it all on hand(for the "where the eff are my scissors "moments) play with whats in the kit and then get some stuff. Also, a dubbin spinner for making dubbin loops is one of my fave tools!

 

[[email protected]]

i bought the superfly nymph kit from sail, most of the materials in it i have used except for the polypropylene and calfs fur

 

[grayer]

Thanks for all the input guys! I think what I am going to do is go to my local fishing store and see if they can set me up with a kit. Sounds like a the best bet to me.

streamers, dries, nymphs, do you have a preference?

Don't really have a preference as I am just starting out. So far I have had some luck with dries and nymphs this past year.

 

[Derrick Young]

have to agree with Chris.

I looked at allot of kits. No matter what kit I looked at I was sacrificing something somewhere.

I would pick up the best vice you can afford. Then email Luc at http://www.lgflyrod.com/ tell him the couple of flies you want to tie and he will put the material together at a good price. You will end up able to tie a boat load of flies for 30.00 or so.
He also has his own branded tools. They are not going to be mistaken for Marc Petitjean tools but they are cheap and get you started with no problems.

For tools forget the threader,nice to have but sucking the thread through works faster and we are full of hot air anyway.
Bobbin, Scissors and whipping tools are the must haves. Then look at Dubbing twister if the flies your tying use allot of dubbing. Or google how to make a dubbing twister from paper clip

 

[Christopheraaron]

I'd say skip the whip finisher as well, learn to do it with your hands, much quicker and gives you more control.

 

[Cody309]

Again, I agree with Chris in terms of the whip finisher!

 

[Derrick Young]

I'd say skip the whip finisher as well, learn to do it with your hands, much quicker and gives you more control.

Again, I agree with Chris in terms of the whip finisher!

maybe for you young bucks but us old ham fisted buggers it is a different story.