Mac, I forgot to mention that the handles of the Dr. Slick bodkin and bobbin threader have a hole in the end that makes them half hitch tools as well. There are occasions in tying, especially with a rotary vise, when it pays to do a half hitch knot to hold things together before you go on to the next step. You can do it by hand, but the half hitch tool makes it a bit easier and gives you better control where the knot ends up.
If you don’t get the Dr. Slick kit, you can easily make your own half hitch tool by simpley using the barrel of a cheap ball point pen with the ink point removed.
Another useful tool, especially for a beginner, is a single edged razor blade. When I’m learning to tie a new pattern, some of the early attempts come out looking just awful. I use the razor to clean off the hook, salvaging what is often what it the most expensive component of the fly.
P.S. If you do get the Dr. Slick kit, lift up the gray foam that holds the tools in place. You’ll find yourself looking at a nice fly box.
I’m relatively new to this myself, and I can’t say enough good things about the advice you can read in the Fly Tying area of FAOL. That being said, I end up picking up a lot of materials at our local “dollar store.” Many of them carry feathers and other materials (nail polish! - clear and coloured) (not always the greatest quality but I’ll worry about that if my skill ever approaches that of the tyers I see in books and magazines)for a buck or two. Arts & Crafts store are often good for deals as well - I wait until the Sharpies go on sale before i restock. Most of what you’ve read here is right on the money - you don’t need a lot of material to start, toothpicks and single edge razor blades are handy for a lot of things. More bobbins are better than fewer, I keep one loaded with black 6/0 thread since it is the most popular.
I guess you just need to figure out what you are fishing for and go from there. If you get hooked on this hobby life as you know it will change. Roadkill will look like so many Muddlers or Bombers. Feather boas will look like leeches. You’ll examine the fur and feathers on the animals at the petting zoo while your child is feeding them. You will pounce on short lengths of beadchain you find on the floor. You’ll ask your wife if you can borrow her fur collar for a few minutes. Stuff like that…
I have heard this so many times… especially from my brother in law… and its his fault I got to doing fly fishing in the first place… and now look at me… Im thinking of tying too… btw…I have a son in law who loves to hunt… deer, goose, turkey… I am betting I can get some “fresh” material from him … if not… I will disown him… 8)
What you are going to discover is that you won’t be tying to save money. Even though I’ve tried to be reasonably frugal in my tying purchases, I wonder if I will ever break even in my lifetime in terms of money saved on flies.
Instead, you will probably discover that tying gives you the same kind of challenge, mental relaxation and satisfaction that fly fishing does. It is amazing how the tow hobbies mimic each other in so many ways.
Then you get this nice bonus when the two hobbies combine and you start fooling fish with your own fly creations.
13 years of tying, five vises, 7 bobbins, more than 50 necks and saddles, a file cabinet full of materials, drying motors, lights, etc. and yes, I do believe that I am now saving money tying compared to buying. But I tie lots of flies. Many are bass/salwater/striper patterns that run 4 to 7 dollars retail. Many are just woolly buggers. But volume seems to be the key for me - materials that don’t get used up are just an expense without any gain.
But any savings has really been a bonus.
I have also bartered flies for services, materials, and gear over the years - such as 5 dozen saltwater flies for a new Sage RPL+ rod for one example.
But for me, one of the great benefits of tying is the joy I have received from sharing my flies with people I meet on the water, especially youngsters - but adults too.
My advice is to buy a rotary vice if you have the money. I have a Dan Vice and it holds hooks much better than my old Cabelas vise. A Dan Vice sells for about $80
It is amazing how much one can learn by just asking a question. The replies are overwhelming in their volume but filled with so much great information…so please…dont stop commenting…the more options I have … especially picking up quslity gear at a good price … such as the rotary vise for 80 is exactly what I am looking for… this gives me so many options that I work with and all of that is before I tie my first fly… life is grand isnt it…
I sent you a PM but since I have not heard a response I will answer your question here and ask another…
Yes Iam the macfly55 from the other bb… I do live in North County so sd flyshop is closer… but I think the prices there…for flies anyway… is high… you have me at a loss as to who you are… I have an idea but not 100% sure… anyway…my question is a simple one…
Of the shops that you referred to which is the most customer oriented and reasonable in prices…
thanks for all the info you provided
My inbox for this site doesn’t show any messages, so re the PM, there is a problem on your end our mine.
I think both shops are about equal in customer service and prices. Some patterns may cost more at one shop and others less at the other, for different patterns the converse may be true. Same goes for materials.
At SDFS everything is out to see, at Strouds some things are out but you need to ask for others. Strouds is the smaller shop in terms of square footage but actually typically has a much larger inventory. There is some difference in products available at the two shops but a lot of commonality also…
Stroud Tackle has been in business 37 years and has long standing relationships with many suppliers. Eileen Stroud manages to acquire some of the best bucktails that I have ever seen - better than I have found in an other CA fly shop that I have visited.
Customer service at both shops is good to excellent most of the time. SDFS has a young staff that are still growing as service personnel. Stroud Tackle is staffed by the owners - Bill is in his 80’s. Sometimes they have days when they don’t feel great. Both shops will handle special orders. Both shops have their own character and may appeal to different people, but a lot of anglers shop at both.
I spend most of my money at Stroud Tackle. It is closest to where I live in the Mission Valley area and happens to be located between my home and office - and I have been doing business with them for a long time. They also tend to have more of the stuff that I am looking for.
Andy Montana’s in Coronado is also a nice shop but they have the smallest inventory in terms of scope and size. They are trying to grow their flytying inventory but it is pretty small and narrow in scope at this time. Service their is also pretty good.
Not sure about the pm box here. I had one go thru and come back so I am willing to bet it is something I am doing wrong…
Thanks for the info on the shops… it is not that I did not like sdfs… I just thought their prices were high… but again I am very new so not sure what is a good or bad price…
Strouds sounds like the more intimate shop… if I get down to that area I may stop by…
I do wish someone would open a shop in the North County area (Oceanside/Vista/Carlsbad)… maybe one day…
Prices at all three S.D. area shops are consistant with what you will find in shops elsewhere. There may be some variance with respect to individual items, but on average, they will all be about the same.
Thank you again for all the local info… I have been wanting to go out to sdff and check it out. I would be especially interested in the free casting lessons and maybe sit in on one of the tying lessons…
The Dan Vice is an overall great vice. I just got one and cant see how i managed without it. It is a true rotary vice that allows you to see the underneath of your fly while it is still in your vice. It holds hooks rock steady from the smallest 32s to 4/0. Also included with the vice is a truly unique c clamp. This c clamp design is the best ive seen. You will also get a material holder and a bobbin rest with the vice. If you have any Questions about the vice feel free to PM me.
Just went to the site you gave a link too and first item I saw was a tying station… it looked to me like it had everything to start except material and tying instructions… is my thinking correct??
What a response you’ve gotten! Not much more I can say. I do have one piece of advice: If you’re tying dry flies, Don’t try to skimp on hackle quality. # 2 necks and saddles from any of the genetic breeders would be your best bet. You can buy halves,quarters and 100 packs. One other thing. Try to get some help. A local fly tying class or a friend. If there is a local TU chapter, join if you are not already a member. Youi’ll meet someone who will be glad to give you some help.
Thank you for the advice…it is appreciated… there is a club not far from me that gives free lessons on casting…and has classes on fly tying… they also have get togethers to tie flies etc…I am hoping to get out there this weekend or next and see what they have going… I wont attempt tying until I have attended a class and have someone to go to face to face for assistance if needed…
