Help from fly fishermen

[Birdguy]

Ok, I have a 10 year old boy that is going to do everything a kid can do  . He hunts deer, turkey, birds, and coyotes with us. He has fished trout, salmon, and halibut with my Dad before he passed away last month. Recently a friend of ours (member on here, has invited us fly fishing. The boy likes all aspects of it except the pace (a little slow for him just yet). The help I need is he has been real interested in tying flies. He bought a real cheap kit at a garage sale (missing most of it) but he is trying  . I would like to help him out but I have done nothing like this before. I am looking for input on what I should get him that is not too expensive as he is 10 and does not always take the best care of things yet, for tying flies. Are there any good books or dvds that I could get him, that would show him how? Is there is decent fly tying kit I could buy him that he could start with? I know my Buddy and his Dad would show and give whatever they could to help but they are busy with thier family stuff and I would like my boy to make a few to get a good idea, then go and ask what would help. I would like him to make sure he is interested and serious before taking  someone elses time away from thier family. Thanks for any info you are willing to share.

[JODakota]

kits are only like 40 bucks. They come with the basics, bobin, hair stacker...etc.  materials cheap and you can get some decent books for 15 to 30 bucks, check L.L bean fly tying books or anything Orvis. You can keep it a relatively cheap hobby. Especially if he deer and birds hunts (deer= hair and birds=feathers which equals basically all you need to tie flys!!! Goodluck with the young man. If you have any other questions feel free to pm me anytime. 

[JODakota]

Get him the supplies to tie a San Juan Worm. It's about the easiest fly to tie and they catch fish.

haha not on the eastside

[Hunter mike]

I agree - a fly tying hobby will definately bring new meaning to his bird and deer hunting!  He'll have it made!

I would reccomend starting out with the larger salmon/steelhead type of flies (not sure where you live or what kind of fishing is close by).  Sea-run cutthroat also.  The smaller trout flies are a pain to tie without some practice and good instruction (I've been tying for several years and still don't tie anything much smaller than about size 8 hook...)

The best first fly to learn is a woolie bugger.  Pretty easy - just need a couple packages of material that you could probably get for $10.  There should be tutorials online.  It's the most versatile fly and a go-to for just about every fly angler out there.  You can tie it big or small depending on the fish you're going for. 

[mossyoak arrow slinger]

Everything comes with time and patience, even if its a wolly bugger or some sort or chronomid. Tying steelhead and salmon is good practice but if the young man isn't fishing for those he might lose his patience and think his flies don't work. I have plenty of books that my dad has bought me over the years to tie flies. Once he learns the use of the tools and the correct knots to tie he can go on his own from there and get very creative. I have no problem helping brett or for you on that matter. I may be busy but I always have time to help friends get in to fly fishing

[Button Nubbs]

It can be an addictive hobby. I learned a lot of techniques off of youtube. I may have an old vice laying around you can have if you can wait for me to find it after early archery.

Edit: after thinking about it I think I know where it is. Ill look tonight!

[Camp David]

Get him the supplies to tie a San Juan Worm. It's about the easiest fly to tie and they catch fish.

haha not on the eastside

Not so Fast..I turned a friend on the Sanjuan worm on a west side lake. He fished a well known east side river and pounded them with a sanjuan worm when nothing else worked. 

[7mmfan]

Ask any guide who fishes the Yakima from November - May what he caught his fish on and there is a VERY good chance they were caught on a san juan worm.

[509]

Find this book.  How to Tie Freshwater Flies by Kenneth E. Bay

Try the library system through inter-library loan.  It is a difficult book to find anymore.

It goes step by step tying ten basic flies.  Good, clear instructions and photography. 

It is somewhat dated and focused on east-coast flies.  I tried three or four books to learn how to tie and this one made it simple and easy.

I would also try and find a basic fly tying video.  If they fix the links you can try this site:  http://www.kwsumedia.org/

Good luck...oh and make sure he has a good, tight vise.  One that will hold a hook without shifting or moving.

[Gobble Doc]

In the 70's my dad signed me up for a relatively inexpensive entry fly tying course that was being taught at the Pullman high school.  I was the only kid taking the class.  I loved it.  The instructor brought all the stuff to tie each fly each week and it gave me a good hands on chance to learn.  I still have some of the flies and laugh when I look at them.  But, I was able to take my 14 year old flyfishing last weekend on flies I tied the night before we left and we caught a lot of fish.  It is a great hobby.  If you spend a little money on anything I think the best vice you can get is the way to go, 

[Birdguy]

Man, I knew you guys would come through! Thanks to all who replied so far. We will be looking on you tube, I am on ebay looking at kits. The boy was in the bird pens (we raise exotic pheasants)tonight looking for feathers. Should be a great time.

509 perfect reply, just what I was looking for I will see about the book. THANK YOU.
Mossy, I know you would do anything for that kid. He loves you and your Wife.
Button , very generous offer and we are in no real hurry.
All, we will definately look into the san juan worm as well. Thanks.
Gobble Doc what you have with your son now, is what we are looking to have...great times, good memories, and a little work to make it that much more special.

[Button Nubbs]

Found it right where I thought it was. There is a method to my madness afterall! I don't tie anything for trout but have a lot of feathers/chenielle in my box that I don't use anymore. You'll just need thread, cement, and a bobbin to get going. Its yous if you want it. Pm me.

[Gobble Doc]

Yep, good times ahead.  Here is a pic of using our own flies a couple weekends ago with a 3 wt that my father in law had made for his grandson. 

[piled-up]

I got into tying flies when I was your boys age and I'll be forty one this year the first book I received was one called fur feathers and fun.it's a good starter book.  Check you local taxidermist for spare deer elk bear hair, andfeathers.also goodwill can also have stuff also like feather boas,fur coat collars, Also a bungee cord cut open has rubber band material in it that people use for legs and antena material called rubber hackle. I would suggest starting him on tying nymphs there easy to tie and work every where. Happy tying and good luck on the rivers and lakes!

[PLUVIUSWAPITI]

Birdguy, I would love to help you and your boy. I have a box full of stuff including, bobbin, thread, lots of hooks, vise and some fur. Send me a PM with an address and I will send this to you guys to enjoy.