Fly Tying

[Andy_Reed]

Anyone got into tying their own flies? I'm thinking of getting into it this year. Both saltwater and game. So I'm looking for a nice starter kit. Preferably one that does'nt cost a small fortune...

[bigbass]

I tie my own

You could get a starter kit for about 50-£100 depending on the vice chosen

BUT

If you get the bug (and you will), you shall spend 100's more on upgrading and expanding

The best advice I can give is to contact Austen at www.uksaltwaterflies.com and take his recommendations

Its a road to perdition, trust me.

BB

[COD2]

i was thinking about starting fly tying but the cost was to expensive until i was in a local tackle shop and he had the cheapest basic tool set for £8 and a vice for £10. he also threw in some materiel. i made one fly and really enjoyed it so i guess i now have the bug and will soon be buying a better starter kit. but for less then £20 you cant go wrong to get you into the hobby.

[bigbass]

i was thinking about starting fly tying but the cost was to expensive until i was in a local tackle shop and he had the cheapest basic tool set for £8 and a vice for £10. he also threw in some materiel. i made one fly and really enjoyed it so i guess i now have the bug and will soon be buying a better starter kit. but for less then £20 you cant go wrong to get you into the hobby.

There are loads of household bits and bobs you can press into service

Feather duster
Goatskin rug
Cat underbelly fur
Xmas decs
Craft foam
Polyprop rope
Raid wifes sewing basket for threads and offcuts
Sweet wrappers
Beads
Nail varnish
Artificial fibres
Foil

BB

[g1zmo]

Its a great hobby (I started last year when I stopped smoking and was looking for something therapeutic to do) Start off by looking on ebay for second hand and cheap gear, a rotary vice is useful for larger saltwater flies. I started making streamer flies to use on a light spinning rod (too many arthritis problems for flyfishing) and now sell packs of flies on ebay to support my habit. Good buys to be had on materials from the states and plenty of information on fly patterns available on the web.

[kevinh]

I used to love tying flies before i sea fished, i used to tie them in the winter while i waited on the freshwater lochs opening.

There's even fly tying classes in Stranraer, run by an expert fly fisherman.

[taytroot]

I took it up years back, and to catch your 1'st fish with your own fly gives you a great buzz, only advice is try not to be too skimpy with your spending on the vice as a moderately priced one will last your for years.
All the best with the tying and sure you'll enjoy,
T.

[bigbass]

I started tying about 7 years ago, a tying friend said then, that you need spend about £50 and thats about it.

I've now a wardrobe full of the vile stuff, I wear glasses, have a permanent stoop and tie once a week (wth a group of saltwater tiers) and independantly - whenever I can. I have about 20 boxes of flies and they expand at a rate greater than I can use them ?

I'm a few grand down as well.

Its not a hobby its an obsession, a cult of vile addiction, once the bastards get you, there is no turning back

BB

Have fun

[milkman]

Have a look here www.sportfish.co.uk

[limanda-ni]

Hi - Best wee kit for starting is Turralls. Costs about £38 and comes with vice (although not the worlds best -but good enough to get you started) and all the main tools. Materials and hooks and very good instruction cards. Need to add s/s hooks for saltwater.
Richard