New to fly tying

[viva_che1363]

My wife was kind enough to get me a fly tying kit for Christmas ( basic tools, vise, bobbin, snips etc.)  But, what all should a beginner get as far as actual tying materials. Hooks, head cement, and various hackles etc? I been watching some YouTube videos on tying and it's information overload. I'm thinking I should pick a pretty general pattern and try and get comfortable with that and kinda go on from there. Any ideas?

If it matters I fish around the CDA river, Spokane river, and planning in trying to get over to Montana this summer

[Parasite]

Youtube is definitely a good teacher, especially for replaying techniques over and over. Kelly Galloup has been doing a good job explaining some techniques.

As far as where to start ... I would ask what type of fishing are you going to be doing? Dry flies for trout? Nymphs? Wets? Streamers? Attractors? Terrestrials? I'm not familiar with the fisheries you mentioned, so give us some information to get started.

[boneaddict]

ITs sort of like introducing your kid to soccer........  grab tight and hang on!


Im not sure if books are still a thing, but get yourself one or two of them if you can.  I self taught that way.   Have patience.  You will have alot of failures before the finished product starts looking like you want it too.

Practice makes perfect.  I'm still practicing after about 40 years. 

[Bullkllr]

 

I learned on the "Jack Dennis Illustrated Fly Tying Manual" about 40 years ago (geez that sounds like a long time ago).
Tons of online resources these days. I'm sure you've googled "beginner fly patterns" etc.

Do you have a fly shop near? Could really help with basic materials and advice.

For patterns I'd stick with a few basic ones at first. Later you can tie specific patterns for water you plan to fish. Wooly worm/bugger/Carey Specials, hare's ear, basic hackle wet-flies or nymphs is where I'd start. Larger sizes are way easier to learn on- then work your way down.

Fun hobby. Addicting. Make sure you have a good light. A semi-permanent tying area is best. I rehabbed an old roll-top desk so I can just shut the lid between sessions.

Any more questions I'd be glad to help.

[nwwanderer]

The fish are probably not as picky as you are, give them a shot and durability might be a bigger issue.  A bunch of Cutts can wear them out.  Remember the Wulf couple?  They tied in the middle of the stream as they fished.

[linxx77]

Www.aprilvokey.com


Try to read/watch everything April Vokey has to say. She’s my favorite fly fisher.


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[duckmen1]

Pm sent

[Parasite]

The fish are probably not as picky as you are, give them a shot and durability might be a bigger issue.

Well said. I've tried for myself and commercially. Commercial flies are prettier cause you are also enticing the customer. Flies I tie for myself only have to entice the fish.

[viva_che1363]

The fish are probably not as picky as you are, give them a shot and durability might be a bigger issue.  A bunch of Cutts can wear them out.  Remember the Wulf couple?  They tied in the middle of the stream as they fished.

Ain't that the truth. Learned that one fishing for steelies in Wa. Sound like I'm going to be heading to the fly shop this weekend and picking a few things up to get started.

As far as types of flies etc. I'm still learning how to fly fish so I'm kinda open to anything that may be effective. I've caught a few smaller trout on dry flies in the summer, but from what I've heard nymphs tend to work better in the fall/ winter.

[Birdgetter]

My favorite and most effective flies are Wooly Buggers, Prince Nymphs, Adams and Rubber Leg Pats Stones. They are all pretty simple to tie and pretty much cover all your bases! Good luck, it is a very fun hobby!

[7mmfan]

As a guy who started from scratch in my teens, worked in fly shops, guided and taught fly fishing and tying classes, my suggestion is go to a fly trying class. Not only will you learn some of the basic techniques, patterns and how to use various materials, but you'll meet a bunch of like minded individuals who are generally very willing to share. I thoroughly enjoyed attending those classes when I was a novice, and enjoyed them as much when I became the instructor. The Silver Bow in Spokane should be able to point you in the right direction.

[viva_che1363]

Right on! Now that you mention it I  think north 40 also does classes during the winter.

[Gobble Doc]

I started tying as a kid before you tube so books were about the only option for me. My 2 cents would be to start with a couple patterns that use only a couple materials. Invariably I would try something like a stimulator only to find some time in the middle of my first fly that I was missing something. My favorites now are an elk hair caddies as they are relatively easy and a black maribou leach to drag around if I’m in a lake. But like others have said it depends on how you plan to fish. Also, you can purchase a commercial fly at a shop to use as an example to help you with proportions to refer to. Good luck!


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[outdooraddict]

go down to silverbow flyshop by the valley mall.  get a a couple of the big orange stimulators with legs.  learn to tie these.  learn a couple nypmhs, and definitly learn to tie a gazzilion san juan worms,  use the san juan as a dropper or the nymphs (a guy at silverbow told me that using a san juan is cheating, so i told him "I dont care what you call it, my goal is to catch fish and that things catches fish"), and the big stimulator on top.  the stimulator is big and floats great and you can see it, the cutthroat on cda river, and st joe will gobble up those san juans and stimulators. the spokane river is an entire different monster,  i am no pro fly fisher, but i can cast and have a basic understanding, the spokane river is tough for me to catch trout, those fish are skittish, and there are so many different currents hapening that i struggle to get a good float.

[viva_che1363]

Outdooraddict, that's been my experience with the CDA vs Spokane rivers as well. We have done allright on the cda but while I'm positive the Spokane holds fish, they seem pretty unwilling to take anything I've had to offer. Of course I am still learning and I'm sure making a ton of mistakes but what can you do, right?  Thanks for the tips on particular flies I'll make sure to add those to my list.

[nwwanderer]

Might need to think smallmouth on the Spokane

[AL WORRELLS KID]

Might need to think smallmouth on the Spokane

We were fishing in August on the Snake (for Channel Catfish) when the whole river came alive with rising Smallmouth.
 It seems a Hatch of Black Ants was being blown into the river in the heat of the afternoon. I finally found something in my Tackle Box that could be mistaken for what covered the water. We had a blast for a few minutes before it was over, as fast as it had begun. Needless to say I now keep a few Black Ant Flies in my pocket.  .....Oh, and unlike the Deep Water Catfish, the Small mouth Bass (being in the warm surface water of the river)..... tasted like mud. 
Doug

[AL WORRELLS KID]

Here's a Fly that's fun to fish in those clear crystal mountain pools, full of hungry Cutthroat.
This "Skater" is tied on a larger hook (than the recipe calls for) so that the fish won't get off due to the tiny hooks that are usually used.
On a hot summer day this pattern lives up to it's name, skating across the surface, enticing that big one up from the depths to jump right out of the water and take your Fly from above.
This kind of Fly Fishing is really something everyone should experience.
Once you’ve "Skated with this Fly," just dragging a Nymph around might not cut it anymore. 
Doug

[spadebit]

Fly tying is all about controlling your thread and keeping adequate tension.  Buy several different thread materials...some stretch, some dont. 
If I were to start all over again, I'd of tied smaller baitfish patterns to begin with.  It is easier to tie moderate sized "flies" than say a BWO in my opinion.
Youtube is your friend, Some great channels to check out are Flyfishfood, Gunnar Brammer, or Fly fishing the ozarks.

Some marabou, Chenille, and schlappen can make just about every baitfish or crawdad pattern.  Youll want thicker thread with these.  Add some dumbbell eyes and some zap a gap glue and you are golden.
Learn the whip finish  without the tool.
Ive also never had the gamakatsu b10s hooks ever fail me.
Size #1 to #4.
Check out hobby stores for material when you get down the basics...you will save money on certain items.

[Stein]

Pick one pattern and learn it.  Then, pick another that is substantially different and learn it.  Buy what you need as you go.  When I learned, it was from an old book and a single VHS tape that had been copied probably a dozen times and passed around town, I can't imagine how much easier it would be with YouTube.

I grew up in MT and found that I could do excellent with maybe 4-5 patterns max in various sizes and colors.  Realistically, I could reliably catch fish 12 months a year on elk hair caddis and wooly buggers.

It's more of a hobby, if you like packing around 10 fly boxes with every pattern under the sun, go for it.