Post by: CP on August 12, 2023, 10:55:56 AM
Thanks
Post by: boneaddict on August 12, 2023, 11:14:23 AM
I cant remember the order of tools in your photo, But there was a bobbin, which holds the thread spool and the thread goes up through a little pipe, and then to your fly. There was a tool that helps you tie good knots on the head of your hook or fly. thread is attached to the head of your hook or fly to the spool on your bobbin. you hook the thread with this tool and it helps you spin it and tie a "half hitch" type knot. THere is usually a tool to help make sure you dont glue the eye of your hook. I usually use a peacock hurl or whatever I have laying nearby to run through the eye to absorb any head cement. You might have a tool for dubbing fibers out of your tie to make it more lifelike, and there might be one for helping thread through your bobbin or an eye of a hook. There might have been a hair stacker, which you put elk hair into after removing under fur and "stack it so they are all of equal length.
most all can be skipped as there are manual ways to do it, such as my feather removing head cement, but all are handy and make the job easier, more efficient, and often a better product
Post by: jackelope on August 12, 2023, 12:30:28 PM
You need the vise on the left. You need the bobbins for the thread. You don’t need any of the other stuff. You need good quality scissors with a fine point. You need head cement. Probably a few other things.
Post by: CP on August 12, 2023, 12:49:27 PM
Here’s the setup that scrounged up today. Yeah, I need a better vise. And if the bobbin keeps the thread from getting tangled that would be great too.
Also, a pair of 5X or better reading glasses. And a good light source. Since I’m half blind.
Glue? Is superglue okay?
I’ll run by Sportsmen’s later and see what they have.
Post by: boneaddict on August 12, 2023, 01:30:21 PM
Post by: boneaddict on August 12, 2023, 01:32:11 PM
Post by: jackelope on August 12, 2023, 01:40:51 PM
Post by: walt on August 14, 2023, 08:37:22 AM
For scissors, like Jackelope said, get a pair with a fine tip. I like the ones with the blue handle, you can leave them on your thumb and flip them around the back of your hand rather than set them down when tying. Not a big deal but when you’re tying a few dozen or something with a lot of materials it’s nice.
If you buy thread at the fly shop it comes in various size/strengths. Most commonly 3/0, 6/0, or 8/0 with the bigger the number the smaller/finer the thread. For jigs and wet flies I’d go with 3/0.
I don’t use a whip finish tool (the dental looking thing second from the right in your pic) just 3-4 half hitches to finish. Head cement works a bit better than super glue but I’ve been tying flies 25 years or so and hardly ever use it, only on large streamers or steelhead flys.
If you’re passing through Spokane any time soon I can hook you up with most of the basics, I’ve acquired enough fly tying stuff over the years I could open my own shop.
Post by: CP on August 14, 2023, 01:51:55 PM
I picked up thread bobbin and it is a game changer. Way easier, if I can keep the thread from breaking that is. After playing with the tension, it seems to be working without breaking.
I’m not tying anything intricate, just pimping up some spoons and jigs with a bit of UV bling.
Post by: Stein on August 14, 2023, 03:06:33 PM
I couldn't imagine tying a fly without a bobbin, that must have been an exercise in patience.
For what you are doing, wrap the heck out of it, throw a couple half hitches and a drop of super glue and you're set.
Post by: CP on August 21, 2023, 09:38:29 AM