Post by: Bennick16 on April 27, 2016, 02:04:31 PM
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!
Post by: Henrydog on April 27, 2016, 02:15:10 PM
Post by: Bennick16 on April 27, 2016, 02:20:49 PM
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.
Post by: Henrydog on April 27, 2016, 02:42:11 PM
Post by: Bennick16 on April 27, 2016, 02:57:33 PM
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
Post by: h20hunter on April 27, 2016, 03:16:15 PM
Post by: splitshot on April 27, 2016, 03:21:00 PM
Post by: splitshot on April 27, 2016, 03:22:47 PM
Post by: Gobble Doc on April 27, 2016, 03:57:50 PM
Post by: Bullkllr on April 27, 2016, 05:15:54 PM
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/ (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/)
Post by: DaveMonti on May 02, 2016, 09:05:48 PM
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.
Post by: JLS on May 02, 2016, 09:39:18 PM
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.
Post by: splitshot on May 03, 2016, 08:01:13 AM
Post by: Smokepole on May 03, 2016, 08:47:49 AM
Post by: Gobble Doc on May 03, 2016, 11:25:14 AM
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on May 03, 2016, 01:09:58 PM
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
Yes. Do this. half a dozen to a dozen lessons will hook you..
Post by: Henrydog on May 03, 2016, 01:19:39 PM
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
I did not know the shop was no more. A very close family friend started the flight program @ BBCC Col. Don Wright. He died a few years ago, great man. He patterned the flight school schedule off of the flight schedule he learned during the Berlin airlift
Post by: Bennick16 on May 03, 2016, 01:35:02 PM
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
I did not know the shop was no more. A very close family friend started the flight program @ BBCC Col. Don Wright. He died a few years ago, great man. He patterned the flight school schedule off of the flight schedule he learned during the Berlin airlift
That's pretty cool. My dad went through the program in 82-83 and I take my commercial checkride tomorrow. It's a pretty good program.