Tying flies for $$?

[Gramps]

I'm sure a lot of guys who tie flies think "can I make money doing this?"

I'm sure for me who hasn't even started to tie flies yet, it's a long long shot. So many with many years experience, and me with none.

The only thing I have going for me is i'm not trying to make a living at it. Just something to give me a little gas money, and keep me busy during the Colorado winters.

Whatcha think?

1...Long shot
2...No shot
3...Stupid idea
4...Shut up Gramps

[fishbum]

Have at it!
First get your employer ID number so you can pay the 10% federal excise tax on what you sell.

Get your business license so you can pay some more local taxes on what you make.

Keep good records for your business.

Don't give up your day job.

Have fun.

fishbum

[John Rhoades]

You know, I recall hearing that there are tests nowadays to tell when somebody is loosing their mind, but for the life of me I can't recall what the tests are.

John

p.s. There's plenty of easier ways to earn gas money.

[okflyfisher]

I always make sure that santa gets my fly tying
"Needs" list so my fly tying costs me very little. I also do not need the latest and greatest new material and I still have a few friends who hunt that I make sure I tie up some of their favorite flies each year which usually provides me with some more tying material.
I tied flies with a Herters inexpensive clamp on vise
for 35 years. My wife got me a rotary vise a few years back for a birthday. While I enjoy the rotary vise very much it is not neccesary to tie flies.
Plus if you tie your own flies you can tie them just the way you want.
Whether you save any money or not depends on how frugal & creative you are using basic materials and limiting the number of patterns to those you actually fish.

[fishbum]

John

Tieing commercial is one of them!

fishbum

[Gramps]

Have at it!
First get your employer ID number so you can pay the 10% federal excise tax on what you sell.

Get your business license so you can pay some more local taxes on what you make.

Keep good records for your business.

Don't give up your day job.

Have fun.

fishbum

What day job? I'm retired on a fixed income.

[DShock]

Gramps,
Tie flies for Swaps, then see if you want to graduate to commercial. You can also tie flies to sell or give to friends.
Doug

[Jax]

Gramps;

If you want to find out whether your wares are going to earn you any Pin Money. Take a sample of your flies in to your Local Tackle Guy and ask him if he would consider allowing you a wee bit of counter space and offer your flies for sale.
If you do go for it. Steer well clear of BIG ORDERS.
They can be sole destroying and your pastime becomes a Chore.

Did it Fifty Years ago in South Africa. Ended up only tying for a select clientel word of mouth being their only access to me. Have Fun. Jax

[Gramps]

Jax,
I agree, and didn't have a full time job in mind. I've had a lifetime of those. I just want to put some jingle in my pocket and do something more constructive than watching TV, or blabbing on forums..

[Bob Widmaier]

I agree with the tye for swap idea first. See how that goes and then move up to tying for friends who will pay you to cover your cost. If all goes well and you are still interested, contact a shop or two and see if you can tye a few patterns for them. I would stick with just a few simple patterns for the shops.

Bob W