I plan on buying a fly tying kit from GI Joes soon. Any ideas from anyone? Should I just buy a few essential tools and a few pieces of material to start instead?

What flies should I start out tying?

Thanks for any info, it is greatly appreciated.

Curtis

Ummm, I would recommend you not buy a "kit". Most fly tying kits are umm well garbage.
Also I recommend buying your tools from a fly shop and the materials from wherever you want. I suggest starting off with flies like wolley buggers. They are easy and catch about anything that swims. If you'd like to ask more specific questions or want more advise please e-mail me
roba26@hotmail.com, more than happy to help but need more time that i wanna get into on a bulletin board.

Which ever way you choose, it is important to buy the best tools and materials you can afford. This will save you a heep of money in the long run- not to mention better looking flies (believe it!). Personally, I would start out just buying what you need to tie with. Assuming your tying for Trout, the patterns I would recommend beginning with are:

1) 'Buggers- Olive, Black, Brown and Peacock
2) Hare's Ear Nymph
3) Pheasant Tail Nymph (Troth)
4) Adams
5) Elk Hair Caddis

The above patterns are generally the first ones that are taught in most tying classes. Some of the most productive patterns to boot.

If you choose the kit route, have a fly shop put one together for you. Most are willing to give a discount when you go this route. You might pay a little more, but it is worth it. I wouldn't think about buying one off the shelf. The quality of materials and tools are really not up to par. (I'll keep stressing this....)

And this is just the beginning...

Here are a few of my patterns: Midge X Caddis Carey Bugger GRHE Filoplume Prince Steelie Flies: Top Row

Downriggin'
(Funny moniker for a fly fisherman huh?)

Hey Voodoo,
When I got into Fly Tying I think the biggest mistake I made was going out and buying a cheap tying kit. Now I have my NorVise that I use all the time and the stuff that I got with my kit just collects dust. So if you can afford the $, I'd get a quality vise and tools to start out. You can also get some pretty good prices on quality tools in Cabela's. I order a lot of my materials and tools there. As for what to start tying. If you have never tied before, it easiest to start with some Nymphs or Wolly 's. They are a little easier to tie than Dries and it is a good way to get used to your Tools and Vise. Plus, they will catch fish.

Good luck with the tying!!

Very true that most "kits" are inferior, but I've found one exception. I got a kit by Umpqua for my ladyfriend and it's been more than adequate for getting her "hooked" on tying. Runs about $54. Its best feature may be Skip Morris' book on basic tying -- finally a clear and thorough book on the subject. The book is also available separately, in case you don't buy the kit.
Enjoy the new hobby!

When I got started tying flies not so long ago I found this site, www.flyanglersonline.com very helpful for deciding what tools and supplies to start out with. There is also a good picture show of fly tying for the beginner. Look at "for beginners". For buying fly stuff, check out www.flyfishusa.com no tax and free shipping.

I started tying seven or eight years ago, and I got the cheapest, most basic kit from GIJoes. Personally, I don't think its a bad way to start. First, its cheap. If you've never tied before, you don't really know if you'll like it and keep with it. With the kit, you can find out for relatively little $. Second, it works fine. I taught myself to tie using the chintzy intruction manual, and have caught lots of fish on flies tied with the kit. With a kit, you have everything you need to go home and get started right then. You can always upgrade your tools over time if you like it and want to get more serious.

Hey thanks guys! I plan on spending anything UNDER $100 to start.. I dont know how much i can get into it.

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!

Curtis

Hey Voodoo, you ever make it to T town? Let me know, I'll give you a brief rundown on fly tying if you are tying salmon/steelhead flies. I can show you trout as well, but not my bag baby....LOL. I don't trout fish so don't need to tie them.

With $100, you'll pretty much get a cheap kit. Most decent vise's will run you that much for the cheap versions. You can buy cheap now, but if you do decide you want to keep doing it you'll DEFINITELY want to upgrade. I know I was given a kit about 20 years ago, and it sat drawing dust since there was virtually NOTHING in it I could really use. I kept the vise just for laughs. The more you tie, the better vise you'll want. Plus, I agree with downriggin', buy BEST materials you can afford. Cheap materials make cheap flies (I didn't say inexpensive, I said CHEAP).