If you are tying a fly you haven’t used before…[not one of your go to flies]…how many do you tie up for your first usage.
I usually tie up 6 or so the first time I try a new fly. Most of the time I find that the flies work for me and so can I tie more up later. Then again, I am pretty consistent on what flies I use, so I don’t very often tie up flies I haven’t used before.
Never less than 2, usually 1/2 doz.
If I am tying something new and I am not sure what the fish will think of it, I usually only tie one for the next trip to the river. I tie my flies so that they are very durable and they usually stay together long enough for me to determine if I need to tie more for the fly box or not. If it does well and is tore up, I can always go to one of my “go to” flies to finish out the day on the river. I just cannot justify tying up 6 of a pattern that I am not sure will work.
ducksterman,
I really enjoy your thought provoking questions! 
I have to ask…when you were a kid, did you go around poking hornet’s nest to see what kind of reaction you would get??
Warren ,
the last time I did that…which wasn’t too long ago :oops: …I got nailed 9 times before I made it into the garage…those little hummers are vicious :evil:
Anthing less than half a dozen guarantees that they will be THE fly and that I will lose them all immediately. Anything more guarantees that no fish will ever touch one and they will stay in my box indefinitely.
When tyting a new pattern I’ll tye 6 - 8 of them.
Hi,
I usually only tie up one to try out, but if I really like the way it turned out, I’ll tie up a bunch and convince myself it works already! Hey, it caught me and I’m at least as smart as a fish! 
I have a set of flies I know work, and I have a set of flies I know should work.
- Jeff
I generally tie up about 1/2 dz for first time flies. That’s because I like to give a few away to the trees and shrubs. Seems only right since I am fishing in their drink.
I used to tie three copies of a new pattern, that gave me a couple extras if the new fly was a winner. As of a couple years ago, when my wife started fishing with me, I tie four copies of the new fly - two each. Can’t have just one if it turns out to be a real winner.
However I usually wind up with all four since she usually sticks with her Old Reliables (NOT just Joe Hyde’s Old Reliable big GRHEs.
Yup, I give away a lot of flies. That’s a fringe benefit.
Bill
Well it depends on how they look once I’ve tied them, but I usually tie about 3 for testing on the waters. I have no problem giving away a few flies once in a while.
Hobo
I usually tie a half dozen in each hook size. This winter I’m tying some Klinkhammers, a fly I’ve never fished before, in size 12, 14, 16, and 18. Additionally there are several other patterns I’ll be tying for the first time, and the old favorites. Before opening day comes I hope to have added a couple of hundred drys, wets, nymphs, emergers and attractors to the fly boxes.
4 because I’ve never lost that many of the same fly on the same trip, EVER.
If I was going someplace for a few days where I wouldn’t have the opportunity to tie, (not often); I would whip up the usual 16.
Usually six. That way I can take a couple to fish over the lunch hour and have a few in my vest for the weekend.
Rick
Like most of the other folks that have posted, I’ll usually tye six. Usually three of one size and three of the next size up or down depending on the pattern.
about 4. One for the fish, one for the trees, one for something else - and the last one goes home as a pattern to duplicate if the 1st 3 lost indicated some level of success with the fish.
Hi ducksterman,
No less than a dozen; six for me and six for Gretchen. Take care & …
Tight Lines - Al Beatty
www.btsflyfishing.com
DG has the same thoughts I do when tying a new fly. If I only tie 1 or 2 they’re guaranteed to work and then you have to give one to your buddy. I never tie less than 6. Then there are those times that I tie on a random fly from one of my boxes and proceed to catch many fish. So, I go home that night and tie a dozen more, and I never catch another fish on that fly. 
i agree with 6
I am in for 4, two in each of 2 sizes.
Dwight