Getting Started as a Tyer
By Tom Deschaine
Where and how to get started always seems like a difficult decision
for the beginner. You've got several options. Let's take some time
to explore them, and see what's best suited for you. Most of you
will probably not want to spend a lot of money to begin with. I
don't blame you. Making a large investment when you're trying
out something new can be risky. I know that I'd be more than a
little upset if I invested several hundred of dollars only to find out
that I didn't enjoy it, received bad advice on what to purchase, or
that I had no real talent in the area. So, let's look at some of your
options in hopes of helping you to make the right decisions.
Find a fly tyer to teach you. Is there a friend you know? Someone
who is already fly tying? Most tyers I know would love to get you
started and would be more then flattered that you even thought to
ask them. You will of course have to tie at their convenience and
should probably supply the beer or the Manhattans. Be sure to
offer him or her a couple of bucks to cover any materials that
you'll be using. I personally don't accept any money from students
— by the same token, I don't expect them to fill their fly
boxes at my expense either. A good tutor will help you to learn
the basic techniques required so that you'll be successful in your
new endeavor. They'll give you good advise on materials, tools
and suppliers.
Don't be in a hurry to learn everything all at once. Some techniques,
even basic ones, take a great deal of time and practice and patients
to learn. Your tutor may have you tie the same pattern several times
until you get it right. A good tutor will move you along at a acceptable
pace based on your aptitude for your new found hobby. After several
sessions you should slowly begin to purchase your own tools and
materials based on the advice that your mentor gives you.
Buy a kit. This is how many people get started (probably most)!
There's nothing wrong with this, especially if you don't know a
friend to help you get started. On the plus side, you can work
at your own pace with no pressure or embarrassment. Also,
there is something special about learning a new skill completely
on your own. It's a great adventure!
Which kit should I select? How much should I spend? Let's look
at a few basic guidelines. First off, the beginner should select a kit
that includes tools. Generally, the tools will be inexpensive and
basic. That's all you need to start. A basic tool kit should include
a vice, hackle gauge hackle pliers, scissors, bobbin, bodkin
(dubbing needle), hair stacker, dubbing wax and head cement.
Some of the better kits will include such item as dubbing spinners,
whip finishers and bobbin threaders. That's ok, but they just aren't
really needed when you starting out. So don't waste your money
on the expensive items to start.
Start off with a general kit. Use some common sense here. If
you exclusively fish for bass and you're sure that's where you
true love is then by a 'bass kit'. If you live on the beach in Florida
then buy a 'salt water' kit. However, if you're a typical fly fisherman
and enjoy it all, pan fish, trout, bass, salmon, etc. then I suggest you
start with a standard 'all purpose kit'. One give you experience with
dry flies, streamers, nymphs and terrestrials. The basic skills you
will learn here will carry over to most any specialty flies that you
may choose to tie in the future.
Most of the kits I've examined have an adequate manual.
Generally the pictures and the instructions are good. The
supplies they furnish will be just enough to give you a good
feel for what you're doing. They will take you through the
basic steps and get you off to a good start. If you choose
this route you will want to purchase additional basic fly tying
manuals and/or some instructional CD's as well. And, don't
forget to check out internet. There's a wealth of free fly tying
information out there. (Start with the Beginning Fly Tying
instruction
HERE)
A word of caution should you choose this route. Be careful
what you buy! Many of the kits, especially the inexpensive
ones are nothing but junk. The materials and tools are
substandard and for the most part are cheap imports.
Purchasing a kit of this type will definitely discourage your
new interest. Inferior materials and tools make it difficult
to tie an acceptable fly, even under the best of circumstances.
I've examined many kits. Those under $40 aren't worth the
trouble. The $40-$150 range is what you're looking for.
Only you can decide what your budget can afford. To start
off, I really don't suggest you spend any more money then
what I have recommended. After you have developed some
basic skills then you can decide to purchase a more advanced kit,
or strike out on your own as far as purchasing additional tools
and materials.
Take a class. This is another option that you might explore.
On the upside, you'll be in a class with people of the same
skill level and generally all tools and materials are supplied
to you. All you have to do is pay the 'one time' fee that
covers everything. Most of these classes are designed for
success. Starting with simple skills and progressing through
to those skills demanding a little more sophistication. Your
beginners course will probably be between 1 to 5 sessions.
If you have the competitive personality for this kind of structured
setting you'll do well.
Personally, I've had bad experiences with the two classes I've
taken. Now, I'm not coming from out of the darkness here —
I'm a retired teacher, with 32 years experience.
It has been my experience that some of these classes place you
in a situation where you know little to nothing about the instructor.
You are in a competitive situation because you really know nothing
about the actual skill levels of the other class members. The
by-standers, all teacher assistants, wearing fishing hats and
vests and smoking pipes are intimidating to say the least.
You'll get your money's worth though. Many of these classes
let you keep the tools and materials as you progress. This is all
covered in the fee. It's nice each night to go home with new
materials for the flies that you have just learned to tie. This gives
you an opportunity to practice your newly acquired skills before
the next session.
The final decision is yours. All the options I've presented are viable.
Don't feel like you have to lock yourself into just one situation. When
I first started, I used a combination of all three. I started with a $40 kit.
I knew a tyer friend who got me started with it, and with in a few months
I was taking my first class.
At first, when you start to tie — you should stay with the
'traditionals'. I know that many people will disagree with me,
but let me try to explain. As a beginner you are trying to develop
new skills. What better way to prove that you've mastered those
skills, then to hold up a fly that you have tied — and compare
it to the picture in the book! Match the masters form, style, technique.
Demonstrate that you can do a quill body, a parachute, a flared tail
and tent wings. Prove to yourself that you can tie most any pattern
that you can find the recipe for. It's the discipline of self
accomplishment that you are seeking! After all, that is the reason
that we take the trouble to write recipes in the first place. Once
you've proven to yourself that you've mastered the basic skills,
then you can venture out and develop your own fly patterns and
techniques. Enjoy your new craft ! ~ Tom Deschaine
About Tom:
I'm a retired high school science teacher, living in Westland, Michigan.
I've been a hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman my entire life. But, it
wasn't until 1984, that a friend of mine introduced me to the sport of
fly fishing. I got the 'bug' real bad and within a year or two I had
added fly tying and rod building to my list of sportsman's skills.
Although I have fished most of the great rivers in this country,
my all time favorite is still, my home river, the Au Sable, here in Michigan.
My retirement is now providing me with the time I need to write
a little and share with you some of the tips, tricks, patterns and
experiences I've had over the years. Stay tuned.
See you on the water… ~ Tom Deschaine
Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the Bulletin Board here at FAOL too.
If you have any questions, tips, or techniques; send them to
publisher@flyanglersonline.com
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