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.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Birdguy,

I've been tying flies for close to 45 years.  I tie at some of the Washington, Oregon and Idaho Fly Fishing Expos.  I've got more material than I will ever use in a life time.  Shoot me a PM and I'll send along some stuff that may prove useful.  If your somewhere close to Yelm (on the west side) I'd be happy to be a tutor to both you and your son.

[boneaddict]

Nice offers fellas.   


Be careful Birdguy, he'll start eyeballing capes on some of your fowl. LOL

[Birdguy]

Thanks to all who have replied and PMs have been sent to those that requested them. There truely are some great folks on this forum  . I asked for a few scraps of information and a little direction and it looks as though the boy will have enough to really get started having fun at this.
   One of his little Buddies was over early this week and they were trying to catch bugs in the yard to start looking them over for colors and size. It was fun to watch.

Bone you are right, I have thrown out more bird feathers over the years as we cleaned pens, I almost feel bad. Now the boy is looking in the pens for that feather (or 500) that he might need  . We are really cutting down on birds, I am getting out of gamebirds except a few chukar (personal use) and my mountain quail, we have impyeans and brown ears, and some chickens. With the kids in spring sports and the Mrs. working part time there is no time for a hobby that is getting that expensive. Now we will spend the time and money fishing  . Atleast fishing will not always feel like "work" like the birds do to the kids  .

[boneaddict]

I could almost quote that last paragraph and just change the names around and throw some soccer or basketball in there.    Interesting enough, thats the hobby that really led me into keeping birds, from chickens to exotics.  I have alwyas loved feathers.    It might make him look at them in a different light now.   

I pulled my website last month.  I guess I am officially done other than some hobby birds I like.   I still have a few, but the numbers are extremely cut.   Most will be just pets until they die of old age.    I'll be taking out a whole row of pens this spring.  Feed is just TOO CRAZY! 

I'll see fi I can come up with some pointers for some nice easy flies for him to feel successful with.

[Hyde]

Start with the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear.  Learn that one and then move on to others.  I think the classic mistake many make is to try and do dry flies right away.  Nymphs are way easier, and actually will catch you more fish.  The GRHE is a great fly, tie it in different colors, and then work up bead eye variables. 

[erk444]

A good book to get is called "Curtis Creek Manifesto". Its a great starter book and its set up kinda like a comic book so it might be good for a kid his age.

[Birdguy]

An update to the request for info. There are a bunch of fantastic folks on this site as most of us who actually use the site for something other than a dispute forum already know. But just so you all know Mr. Ron Eagle Elk and Button Nubbs came through BIG for my son  . Thank you does not quite fit the feeling nor the excitement he had when he picked up the boxes of goodies you guys sent him at the post office. He had no idea, and to see his name on the boxes man was he happy to get home and open them, it was just like Christmas! Ron the book is amazing and he is actually reading it, it was so cool the other night when he was talking the the Mrs. and I about the names of the tools he needed and when we started looking them up he even remembered what brand name to book recommended (Dr. Slick). He has now tied his first four flies, with a big thank you to Button Nubbs for the vice and more books and material. You guys are AWESOME. I will post pics as soon as we get out to catch a few fish hopefully this fall between pheasant and deer hunting we will get out after a few. Ron the letter you included was an excellent touch and made him fell really special. Thanks again.

[Button Nubbs]

The pleasure is truly mine. I love helping youngsters get hooked on the outdoors. I hope he catches some big fish on those bugs he tied. If he ever wants to get into tying salmon/steelhead stuff let me know, I have probably 3x the amount of stuff I sent you that's all his! good luck and I can't wait to see some pics of his work and fish!

[boneaddict]

THATS AWESOME! 

[Heredoggydoggy]

I took a fly-tying class over 30 years ago, and one of the tricks I loved was how to make Bug Eyes.  You take a short piece of monofilament fishing line, 1/2" or so, clamp it in the middle in a pair of forceps, and using the BOTTOM of a match flame, melt the monofilament down to a round ball on each side of the forceps.  The result is a really cool and durable pair of Bug Eyes with a short section of monofilament between them that can be tied into the head of the fly.  I quit flyfishing years ago when people turned my favorite fly fishing creek into a dump.  Gave all my fly tying stuff to the son of a friend, so I'm no help there.  It's still helping a youngster, so I don't feel too bad. 

[Birdguy]

Well the boy has been hard at it. I kept the first 10 flies for a memento for my desk (besides that it will remind him of how good he was when he started  ). He is really enjoying it and each fly is a little better than the last  . I owe another BIG thanks to Ron Eagle Elk and Button Nubbs for their very generous donations to his latest endeavour. I hope to attach a few pictures of his work if I can. The first picture is of his first flies. The second picture is of his latest flies. The third picture is of him and his work. and the final picture is his chum assortment that he made himself of his own imagination. Can not wait to see him catch something with them. Those pictures to follow in a few weeks hopefully  .

PS Don't mind the date I was messing with the camera 

[boneaddict]

SWEET!

are you guys going after chum?

[Birdguy]

Bone, he is certain we are, so I am guessing in the next couple weeks we will out after them somewhere. We would be going this weekend but I am headed to our place in Okanogan for a few days of bird hunting, coyote scaring (maybe we will hit a few) and REST. We will also be working on the electrical and finishing up the painting hopefully.

Doug one of these days we still need to meet, we can discuss the woes of bird raising, and the wonders at the same time  .

[Heredoggydoggy]

Nice looking flies!  Fly tying is one place where the saying "Less is More" is really true.  I've had fish hammer a fly so bad that all was left was the straggling hackle, and the fish were still hitting it! 

[Gobble Doc]

Awesome!  I still have some of the first flies that I tied.  Definitely less can be more with flies.  My all time favorite for lake fishing is a black marabou leach and when it is sparse it is killer. 

[boneaddict]

Indeed!  Enjoy your weekend.  Muleys are going strong, and whities are just starting to move.  I assume you have both at your cabin.  The coyotes are furred up nice.   I know its acecdotal, but I swear they look fuzzier than normal.    Aim for the middle of that fuzz.

[Button Nubbs]

Lookin good! I know those "chum candy" are gonna slay em! I can't wait to see somempre pics! Great job!