Like to learn how

[hookandhackle]

I would love to learn how to tie both saltwater and freshwater flies. Flies are so expensive and since the nearest shop is in Westport or Old Saybrook I'd love to learn.

North Cove offers classes but only in the winter. How can I get started? Are there any clubs willing to teach for a small fee or better yet for free?

I know I need a vise and am looking at the Peak vise. Price is important as I don't have a lot of money to spare.

Thanks,

Pete

[Redwings1]

Pete, For the tying classes I teach I make sure that the people start slow and 'master' a few patterns that have varying techniques so that they can then utilize those techniques on other patterns and build up their repetoire. There are a few good books out there for beginning tying, but if you can swing it nothing is as valuable as a few hours with someone who knows what they are doing. If you would like PM me your email address and I will send you the first few '5 Step Fly' patterns that I teach, and certainly if you have any questions I'll do what I can. :D

[Richard W. Fleet]

Hey Pete. Took a beginners lesson from Don Butler @ Upcountry this winter - learned alot and have found tying to be fun and relaxing. I'd highly recommend the class. Don't know if they plan another anytime soom but worth a call.

[TonyM]

Pete: Suggest you join and start attending local Trout Unlimited meetings. All the chapters I'm familiar with have lots of fly tyer members who most likely would be more than willing to work with you to get you started.

Then, there is a host of fly tying tutorials on the web. As a starter site, I recommend http://www.flyanglersonline.com/ and follow the links for Fly Tying on the left side. There is one that outlines a Basic Tying Kit, another by Al Campbell on Beginning Tying that comprises an excellent series of tutorials with pix and all. These, plus a few local contacts to ask questions of or perhaps to get a short tutorial on troublesome questions should be all you need to get started.

And, of course, stores that sell fly tying equipment should be willing and able to show you a basic thread handling technique or two when they have a spare minute and enable them to sell you some stuff !

Good luck, it's fun and rewarding !
Tony M

[Ray]

If you think flies are expensive, believe me tying is not a way to save money. If money is your sole motivation for tying it's a huge mistake, buy your flies.

[hookandhackle]

Mike,

I just bought 1 of each. Can't wait to lose them. :lol: :lol:

Ray,

Thanks for advise. But, I still would like to learn. I figure I would primarily concentrate on the salt flies. I think I might save some money with gummy minnows. I can pick up the sili-skin at wholesale and save a few $ by making my own. Gummy minnows are around $4-$6. If I buy sili-skin in bulk for $2 a package I can get 4 flies per pack. That's a huge savings.

Now if I start using fox fur, ostrich etc... I'm going to lose $.

My wife always asks me. "Why do you always pick expensive sports to play?" I tell her that she can play too.

[Todd K]

I agree, don't pick it up if are trying to save a buck. Unless you use every feather you buy and every hook you won't be saving. I was reading an article in Fly Tyer Magazine about this. At least I think it was. I will try and hunt it down.

You should be tying for the pure enjoyment, art, and relaxation it brings.

[Hot Tuna]

The HFFA offers fly tying classes...check out their website. Bill Goeben and another fellow(Suguru?) teach the class usually and they are excellent tiers. I'm fairly sure the CFFA offers it as well. I met Mark D. at their expo and I know he gives instruction and is an excellent warmwater tier.
Hope that helps,
Hot Tuna
PS I concur with the other folks that you will not save money...in fact you might even get addicted to collecting hackle like me!.....LOL

[SloNDeep]

Thanks for advise. But, I still would like to learn. I figure I would primarily concentrate on the salt flies. I think I might save some money with gummy minnows. I can pick up the sili-skin at wholesale and save a few $ by making my own. Gummy minnows are around $4-$6. If I buy sili-skin in bulk for $2 a package I can get 4 flies per pack. That's a huge savings.

Lets assume you can get the silli skin for free.

How much are the hooks, vise, thread, decent scissors?

Do you really think you'll only tie one pattern?

Once you begin tying, everything you see in the water becomes a potential fly you'll want to tie.

Decievers, sand eels, dont forget the worm hatch... then theres the time (or not).

Anyway, have fun :D You'll certainly get hooked, even if the fish dont :P

When I started tying I lived in Milford. I used to borrow videos from the Public Library downtown, they had a pretty good selection at the time (I wont tell you how long ago that was)

[Housy Dave]

Well I think it is still possible to save a little money by tying your own. Of course you won't start saving until you're a few years into it, and already have your vise, hooks, and a collection of material. When I first learned I took a two day long class that cost $150, bought a vise and tools for $150, then spent $50-$100 on materials. So I had to tie about 200 flies just to break even :roll: :lol: No problem, I've gone way past that.

The real advantage is that I can make exactly what I want , I'm not dropping $20 at the fly shop every fishing trip, and I think that the flies I tie are unique and I can show 'em something that maybe the other fishermen aren't.

[SouthPaw]

I would have to agree withy Housy, but if you are just trying to save $ it will take an up front investment and time to break even.

I got into tying beleiving that I would save some money and 6 - 7 years later I am just slowing down buying some new material or different variation of an old material. :wink: I now realize that I tie for enjoyment, the challenge of trying something a little different and of course the pleasure of catching a nice trout on my own fly. :)

If you are going to get into tying, I would spend some time looking at different vises and tools. I personally would stay away from "Beginner tying Packages". These packages give you a very basic vise and sub-standard tools(IMHO) with the materials to make 5 - 10 different patterns. If you get into tying at all, you will quickly want a better vise and tools. My wife gave me the Orvis starter kit for X-Mas, within 1 month I bought a new vise and was purchasing better scissors and tools.

Not that everyone does this, but I do tend to go a little overboard with whatever it is that I do. My beer making equipment from days gone by is still there, but not used :cry: , my wood carving tools are still around if I want to use them and my smoker is ready when I get the urge or the family wants some ribs :) .

I have taught my son and a few friends when they were starting out and would be willing to spend some time if you are interested. Just send me a PM.

Good Luck and spend wisely.

SouthPaw
(Pete)

[JACHARBO]

Do it because you love it - forget the economics. I'll never break even because each time I upgrade my materials - in the hole I go. Besides, the gain/loss will end up so miniscule you wont even be able to by an extra six-pack! I upgrade my materials/tools way too often to ever convince my wife we are ahead, or ever will be...

The main reason to tie is for the love of it.

It is possible to teach yourself with no classes - I did. There are many good books out there (now you'll never break even) that will help you. I am big on self learning and self teaching, so much so that some think I enjoy torture...

Have fun - if you got this far with your interest, you will love it!

John

[h.ridley]

:D Hookandhackle:

Like everyone is telling you, you won't save money. But contrary to what others say, I say get a starter kit. Although you will want to upgrade, it will give you a reference point and some stuff(everyone likes stuff) to begin the adventure. Look on e-bay for some cheap deals. One excellent reason to tie your own flies is for when you go fishing at odd times. You won't have to wait for a store to open. And you can make variations to suit yourself. HFFA holds lessons all winter at a very small price. Good luck.

Howie

P.S. I suck at tying, but the fish like my flies and I would be happy to show you the little I know.

Tis a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. W.S.

[Heckler]

If you think flies are expensive, believe me tying is not a way to save money. If money is your sole motivation for tying it's a huge mistake, buy your flies.

Yeah the initial cost may be high, but in the long run it is cheaper...and what's more rewarding than catching a fish on something you created?