Fly tying anyone?

[Bennick16]

If this is not the place to put this, please move accordingly.
I want to get into the art of fly tying and was wondering if anyone has suggestions on the route to take? I know absolutely nothing about it but I was given a very nice fly rod for Christmas and don't want to see it go to waste so I want to tie my own flies for trout. I know I can buy flies but there are rarely any flies available and I would like to make my own variations!

[Henrydog]

Take a $30 class at a fly shop or find a local tier, they will teach you more tricks to be successful in 1 hour and 20hours of reading a book.  You will also find out what materials and size hooks you really need vs the junk in the started packs

[Bennick16]

Take a $30 class at a fly shop or find a local tier, they will teach you more tricks to be successful in 1 hour and 20hours of reading a book.  You will also find out what materials and size hooks you really need vs the junk in the started packs

I think you're right. Was going to look at YouTube but I think I'd better give BillW a call.

[Henrydog]

You might want to look up Pat's Atomic Fly shop in Moses Hole, they might offer cheap lessons.

[Bennick16]

You might want to look up Pat's Atomic Fly shop in Moses Hole, they might offer cheap lessons.

He closed down a while ago, he now works in the flight program at Big Bend. I see him every day, I should just ask for lessons haha

[h20hunter]

Very satisfying to land a fish on your own fly or creation. Wooly bugger in black with a red head on it will catch anything with fins!

[splitshot]

  u r invited to attend the dry side fly club in moses lake.  we meet the first wed of every month.  we meet at the casino/bowling alley just off highway 17.  the strarford road exit.  bring your tying stuff.  we start rolling about 6 pm.    we have outings and guest speakers and an annual banquet.  mike w

[splitshot]

  pm me if u have any questions.    we also have a monthly raffle.   mike w

[Gobble Doc]

I recommend that when you start that you keep it simple.  Pick a pattern with only a few materials. Then make sure you have all the materials before you start. My favorite lake fly is from a single material, black marabou. Easy but effective. A few classes will really get you started right. Also a good vice will save you some frustration. Post pics!

[Bullkllr]

Good advice given on classes/lessons.

You can do it yourself- I did when I was a kid (used Jack Dennis' Fly book) and there is tons of information on the web that is very helpful

Be ready to get addicted and end up spending enough to buy 4 lifetimes' worth of flies.

Good site here with all kinds of discussion on tying: http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/

[DaveMonti]

If there is a fly shop in your area, they often have a night a week where people will come and tie around a table, probably very similar to what splitshot is talking about.  However, the fly shops are filled with materials, so if you need something, it's right there to purchase!

If you go to a fly shop, you should find a huge inventory of flies available, both proven traditional patterns, and local favorites.  You won't find any at Wal Mart or "sporting goods stores". 

You tube has a LOT of tying videos, and a lot featuring very long winded guys like being on Youtube!  A simple trout pattern tying video should not be more than about 3-4 minutes.  There are videos that show technique, but you have to look for them.  Most videos are of guys tying, assuming you know the techniques, but learning the techniques is the hard part.  Don't get frustrated, it takes a while and a lot of trial and error to get some of the techniques down!

You can get a pretty inexpensive starter kit at Cabelas, comes with a vice, a few tools, and some materials.  It will get you started. 

If you do show up at a fly shop in "tying night", be mindful that those guys are mostly there to BS and tie and may not be too enthusiastic about starting someone out from ground zero.  It would probably be best if you took a class and got some experience, then show up on tying night and give it a try, and someone will probably help you with technique if they see you struggling or if you ask them, but they will probably not want to sit by your side and get you started in tying. 

I've been tying for probably 30 years and enjoy it tremendously!  I'm a trout fisherman, so I rarely tie steelhead and salmon flies, but the techniques are the same, just different materials and colors. 

[JLS]

I learned from Jack Dennis' books (pre internet era).  They are an outstanding resource.  Between those and the online tutorial videos that are available nowadays it should be very easy to learn.

Start with some easy patterns like a Hare's Ear nymph, Elk Hair Caddis, etc.  Get someone to save some pheasant tails and Hungarian partridge skins, as well as some deer hair, elk hair, moose, etc.

[splitshot]

  ben,  be at the bowling alley/casino wed nite at 6 pm.  I will be tying the squirmy worm and other questionable flies.  im the old guy with an odouls in hand.  see u there and bring ur tying stuff.  mike w

[Smokepole]

The most important thing is to get out there and start fly fishing -- even before you learn all the stuff.  Start in the back yard.  Tie a piece of orange yarn to the end of your line and practice your cast in the back yard.  Then buy a couple cheap flies and do a little fishing.  Learn as you go.  It takes a lot of practice to get your cast down.  After you get good... take up fly tying.  The fishing part is the first thing to learn IMHO.   

[Gobble Doc]

I still have a bunch of my old flies that I tied 40 years ago.    My dad would give me a ride up to the old Pullman high school as one of my friend's dad taught fly trying lessons in the evening.  I was maybe 10 and in a class with a bunch of old guys.  I had a great time and couldn't get enough of it. I would pour through this small early edition book of Flies of the Northwest which was put out by the Inland Empire fly fishing club.  My favorite flies were circled with a red Bic pen.  I finally got a chance to try them out at Pampa pond.  Not sure I caught anything but I have great memories.  I recall that my first fly tying kit came in a box that contained stuff like polar bear, beaver, muskrat, and other now banned substances.