Fly Tying..

[No Tag Soup Please]

I'm looking at getting into tying my own flies.. I have no idea how to do it or what I would need haha. I see that Grouse River has a fly tying kit for sale. Scientific Anglers 2 or something.. $79.99. Comes with a vise and some stuff to get started. Would this be a good kit to get to start? Has anyone used it?

Also I have never fished using chronomids, usually just troll with leeches or wolly buggers. I hear chronomids are good for spring fishing, could anyone give me some advice on this?

Thanks, Chad.

[835]

Hey,
I bought a kit when i started. Trouble was it was full of stuff that i still have 20 years later! Take the kit price then price all the tools you need ( should be a list on the box). Vises can go from dirt cheap to 600$ but everything else is reasonable.

Then buy "The fly tiers bible" or another tieing book. There are a tonne of books out there that give a good "How to " section prior to the "Recipy" section. Find the patterns you use and by the materials specific to them. Leeches and Wholly buggers are super easy.

Start with a couple patterns and do a bunch in a row to "Get it"
If you can go to the Sporting goods store and see if there is a fly tying course somewhere for you to take, They really help.

There is nothing more satisfying then catching a fish on something you made! If you have any questions ask, Im not a super pro but i dont buy flies either.

[Buck TraX]

The mighty chronomid hatches are extremly exciting for most fly guys as trout feed heavily on these little larve through out all stages of life.
chronies start hatching in early spring and intensify through spring into summer.Most people fish them under a strike indicator(i use a corky)at varied depths.Find a area where trout are feeding or a nice shoal where you can see fish crusing by,simply lay out a cast, wait and watch your indicator to go down,you have to be quick with the hookset as the usually dont hang on to long.Good anchors are a must with this style of fishing as your boat must remain stationary,cast with the wind to help keep your line strait,the waves also give your fly a little movement.
Also look at the chronomids that are hatching in the surface film or pump the stomach of your first few fish to get an idea of color and size then use your closest fly.

[Chuck]

I'd suggest you not rush out and buy stuff right off the bat.
If at all possible visit with tyers and watch, discuss and find out first.
That way you can avoid the "Oh Sh*t - if I only knew" situation.

[troutseeker]

I would suggest that next time you are in Kelowna you go to Troutwaters, it is a dedicated fishing shop and the staff is very helpful.

Go in there with a list of three flies you want to start tying and get the materials you need for that only and a basic fly tying kit. You'll end up with what you need only and probably better kit than the SA starter stuff.

If you ask nice and mention my name (Claude) and I bet you that Nick or Savas would even quickly show you how to tie your three patterns!

I'd start with a leech pattern in two colors (black and brown), a generic nymph patterns in black and green, and a chironomid pattern in black, green, red and silver. This would cover a lot of lake fishing situations and the patterns can also be used in rivers.

There is a guy off the main road in Beaverdell that ties and sells flies out of his house. Maybe visit him and see if he'll let you watch him tie a few?

Join flybc.ca, a great web site for fly fishing info. Lot's of tying and pattern info there a swell as a buy and sell. A lot of BC fishers are on there and discuss chironomid patterns and techniques regularly.

Think of Chironomid fishing as worm fishing with a fly. Cast out in a likely looking spot, have indicator on leader (bobber) and once you find the right depth watch the bobber go down and set the hook, often with amazing regularity! I find it kinda boring, but it can be deadly and it's tolerable with a good cigar...

Cheers, troutseeker

[bopper]

I'd suggest that you don't buy one of those fly tying kits.....as was mentioned, you'll end up with some stuff that you'll never use, and the vise probably won't be very good. A good rotating vise is very important to have, and you can get a "Danvise" on-line (or through E-Bay) for about $80. They are really good.
Good luck tying.....you'll have fun!

[ruger#1]

Look around on Ebay. I bought mine from a old guy that couldn't ty anymore. That was when I was 16. I am 49 now and still have it with alot of up grades. Those kits have crappy vises.

[srupp]

hmmm agree with getting what you need, not generic fly tying kits, poopy vices..

Send me a Pm with your adress etc and I will ship you some tying materials FREE..:mrgreen:...and some spare hooks for chronies etc...

Ive been tying for 30 plus years and with over 2,000 flies tied up waitying to be used...:confused: the thred will rot before I use em all....:mrgreen:

cheers
Steven

[No Tag Soup Please]

Thanks for all the info guys. I think I'll check out Troutwaters this weekend and start looking around online for a good vise.

[goatdancer]

Another good place to check out is Kencraft on the way to Lumby. They have an awesome selection, their prices are very good, and their staff is very knowledgible. I has invested a lot of money in supplies from.

[bandit]

Dont expect your first few attempts to be as pretty as the ones in the book! It takes a lot of practise to get that neat and tidy!

My advice would be buy cheap materials to start with until you have the confidence / skill to start making neat ones. No need to buy really cheap tools though; my first vice was cheap and really quite useless.

[The Dawg]

hmmm agree with getting what you need, not generic fly tying kits, poopy vices..

Send me a Pm with your adress etc and I will ship you some tying materials FREE..:mrgreen:...and some spare hooks for chronies etc...

Ive been tying for 30 plus years and with over 2,000 flies tied up waitying to be used...:confused: the thred will rot before I use em all....:mrgreen:

cheers
Steven

Can I get in on this Ruppster? :)

[ruger#1]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruddicks_002.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16540&ppuser=699)
Here is a few I tied.

[835]

Them bottom 2 are givin me ideas, looks like a take on a whooly bugger with one more hackle wrap on the head.

[ruger#1]

I like to fish them deep. They work good on Blue Earth Lake. The top right one is a fat Ruddicks Dam Special.

[urbanhermit]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruddicks_002.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16540&ppuser=699)
Here is a few I tied.
nice lookin flies, do you fish with barbs where barbless is not required?

[behemoth]

Fly tying is an addiction!!! You will not save money by tying your own flies but you will become a WAY better fisherman.

I started with a kit like you described, it did me OK and got me some basics. If you know someone who ties and could take you to the store you could do allot better for 80 bucks than the kit.

I consider this time of year "fly tying season" me and my buddies get together for tying nights to fill up the boxes for the coming year. Great winters evening activity!!

[ruger#1]

nice lookin flies, do you fish with barbs where barbless is not required?I pinch them down when I go to use them. I find lots of hooks at garage sales. I do not buy to many from sport shops.

[835]

nice lookin flies, do you fish with barbs where barbless is not required?

[quote=ruger#1;843675]I pinch them down when I go to use them. quote]


I tie dont pinch the barb after i tie them either. I pinch them when i fish where its required. As well.

Make sure, as i have said. If you have no help ie friends or a course you can take. Go to the book store or on your computer and look for the fly tiers bible
http://www.amazon.ca/Fly-Tying-Bible-Step-Step-Photographs/dp/0764155504

This book lays out all the tools and how to use them. It has the best tying instructions in any book i have. It gives a brief history of the fly and a difficulty level. Now talking about it you should buy this book before shopping for you tools.

IMO this book should be owned by every fly tier

[ruger#1]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruger_s_flies_001.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=22492&ppuser=699)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruger_s_flies_002.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=22493&ppuser=699)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruger_s_flies_003.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=22494&ppuser=699)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruger_s_flies_004.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=22495&ppuser=699)

[frenchbar]

nice set up mark ..did it come like that ..'the box' or did you fix it up that way yourself ?

[ruger#1]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruger_s_flies_005.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=22496&ppuser=699)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruger_s_flies_006.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=22497&ppuser=699)
This is what I carry my reels and flies in. My flies and other fun things. From 3WT to 8WT.

[ruger#1]

I bought the box from Ca Tire. It is a job mate. It has small foam inserts that you pull out.

[835]

ruger,
there is a support group for you addiction. meetings held most every sunday at the local river. i my self have found them no good

[ruger#1]

BBL, The wife backed into my super duty and broke the rear hub cap. Glad it wasn't a fender. She crunched in her bumper a bit.

[jdmck]

I recently moved my vice from the tying bench in the basement and put it on my computer table, go to the site that has the fly I want to tie and follow the directions i have found this helpful for the more difficult flys I used to buy

[bc cooker]

Starter kit not a bad idea. Not sure what kind of vise you would get with that. The fixed angle type will eventually limit you and make things harder as you get better at it. That being said, you'll find a way around it. I tied on an old Sunrise for years and made it work!!! Once you start catching fish on your OWN flies....you'll be hooked....for a second time! Remember, presentation, size, proportion and then color. Fly at 'er! Good luck.:-D

[300H&H]

Your going to like tying. Ive done it for almost 30 years.
While Grouse River is a sponsor of HBC, you should go to Trout Waters.
Salvas is the guy to talk with.
If you want some lessons just let me know.
We could do a trade. Lessons for info & permission to hunt turkey.
You know me, we have PMed the last couple of years about them birds.

[FlyingHigh]

the absolute best way to get set up for fly tying is this:

1) figure out what fish your going to be targeting most
2) figure out 10 generic fly patterns for those fish you use often, or want to use often. you can specialize later
3) go into your local flyshop, and tell them you need to get set up with the tools and materials to tie those ten flies.

they get you all set up.

as for good flies to start with, i started with:

- Wooly Bugger
- Micro Leech
- Adams
- Tom Thumb
- Bloodworm
- Ice Cream Cone
- Knouff Lake Special
- Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Mosquito
- Werner's Shrimp

All these are fairly simple to tie, with the Mosquito and Werner's Shrimp being the most challenging for a beginner. All are also primarily stillwater trout flies.

hope this helps. :)

[Kudu]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ruger_s_flies_004.jpg[/URL]

Ya got to love those Danielson reels.......

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y260/Gogga2/IMGP1269.jpg

[ruger#1]

I was dedicated to STH reels out of Argentina. Then Cortland bought them. And messed it all up. I love my Orvis and Temple Fork Outfitter reels in 8WT. Getting harder to find cassettes for the STH reels. I have a few extras. I'm not selling them though.

[gmcgilli66]

Check out "FlyBC" There is a lot of excellent "free" advice on that website. srupp and a couple of others frequent it regularly. They list tying nights in many communities (Victoria, LML, Okanagan, etc) Once you've introduced yourself on the site, there will be a lot of help and advice available to you.
That's not to negate what you're getting here, only to add to it! Some communities offer "introductory" fly tying lessons over the winter through their parks and rec or through local fly shops.
Enjoy!

[goatdancer]

Thanks for all the info guys. I think I'll check out Troutwaters this weekend and start looking around online for a good vise.

Maybe 'Flytie Larry' would help you with your initial attempts. If not, PM me and maybe we can do a little bit next time you come to Kelowna.

[srupp]

hmmmmgot your adress..and have a couple Alberta Phesant capes, and some elk cape and some various feathers and some peacock herl...and a few hundred hooks various small sizes..#12-10...for practicing on...should see a box arrive w/i the week..no charge...have fun

cheers and tight lines

Steven Rupp:mrgreen:

[greenhorn]

If someone hasn't mentioned it already - I'd recommend a basic vise that you can travel with. I went with a renzetti apprentice and really like it. This thing really clamps down and holds the hooks like a more expensive vise, while still being small and portable. It won't break the bank either.

http://www.renzetti.com/home.php?cat=312

The vice may not have some of the doodads of the more pricey ones, but it does what a vise should - hold the hook! It's really easy to clamp to a picnic table or tailgate too - for those emergency tying sessions.

[trevstar33]

YouTube is a great place for patterns and techniques. Just set your vise up in front of your monitor and tie away.

[srupp]

box of starter supplies in the mail....I repeat the pheasant flies again..lmao:mrgreen:

cheers
Steven

[BlacktailStalker]

I'd get the basics all separate... they kinda toss in a few useless things and other tools that arent so great of quality in those kits, but thats my opinion.
I started over 20 years ago and these are things you should only have to buy once so for a tab bit more $ you can get the best.
I wouldnt get too complicated with materials either, decide what flies it is you want to tie (fish) and buy what you need as you need.
You CAN spend a fortune on materials (and will in time)

[No Tag Soup Please]

Thanks everyone for all the advise. I bought the fly tyers bible and pick up a danvise off ebay. I can't wait to get everything and start practicing! Thanks again, Chad.

[835]

Thanks everyone for all the advise. I bought the fly tyers bible and pick up a danvise off ebay. I can't wait to get everything and start practicing! Thanks again, Chad.


ya! somebody took my advise!!

[ruger#1]

Thanks everyone for all the advise. I bought the fly tyers bible and pick up a danvise off ebay. I can't wait to get everything and start practicing! Thanks again, Chad.If you can find it. Pick up a book called the Gillie. It will help you determan what fly to use at what time of the year. A few B.C. fly patterns also.

[srupp]

The Gillie (sp?) is THE best fly fishing book I have read in 30 years highly recomended.. good call Rueger #1...

cheers
Steven

[835]

http://www.amazon.ca/Gilly-flyfishers-guide-Alfred-Davy/dp/0889256381

That it?
That price cant be right. Or is it

[ruger#1]

They do not print them anymore, But $200.00 is crazy. I will sell you mine for $199.99

[835]

Must be some book!
Even if they dont print them anymore.

[ruger#1]

I paid around $25.00 for mine.

[ruger#1]

The Gilly: A Flyfisherman's Guide [Paperback]

Alfred Davy (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=Alfred%20Davy) (Author)
Be the first to review this item (http://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_wr_link?ie=UTF8&nodeID=&asin=0889256381)
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Available from these sellers (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/0889256381/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all).



2 new (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0889256381/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new) from $130.00 16 used (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0889256381/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used) from $23.74

[ruger#1]

http://www.northernangler.mb.ca/onlinecatalog/books/thegilly.html I do not know how old this is.

[835]

Is this book focused on trout? Or is it a split amongst everything?
Is there alot of reading in it?

Thats part of what i like about the "Bible". It gives you history on the pattern and what, where, when about it as well.

[srupp]

This book focuses only on trout, it is exceptional, simply the best... And I read pretty much everything out there, it has fly patterns, fly line selections, entomology... The study of bugs proper hookups, and probably more important than any of that it takes you step-by-step on the different aquatic food sources and how to properly present each individual fly, i.e. mayflies 20° angle of presentation on the retrieve, and how to achieve that compare to say the chronomid and it's straight up slow retrieve....

You don't need the new copy, a used one will do just fine

Cheers
steven

[835]

Wont ship to Canada.

[Old Crow]

Is this book focused on trout? Or is it a split amongst everything?
Is there alot of reading in it?

Thats part of what i like about the "Bible". It gives you history on the pattern and what, where, when about it as well.

Sorry to say but Srupp is wrong.Articles/Chapters and Wet fly Steelhead,Dry Fly Steel,Pacific Salmon on the fly and Sea un Cutthroat

[srupp]

REALLy???lol honestly dont remember that...but hey Ive been wrong before..but not about the book being exellent....

steven

[ruger#1]

I cannot even find it on ebay. A few books by Brian Chan. Some good prices. I had the book Pacific fly patterns. Wow it is $38.00 plus shipping. I gave it to my father, It is a good book , No pictures.

[BlacktailStalker]

The ghilly is a good book, far from the best.

[WaterSkeeter]

Heres a good site with step by step patterns with pictures. Good forum to!

http://www.flyfishingtechniques.co/

[ruger#1]

Thanks skeeter. It is in my favs now.

[WaterSkeeter]

Thanks skeeter. It is in my favs now.

No problem, its a real good site and were looking for more members. I was asked to do a step by step patterns and article for it.

here it is, tell me what you think.
http://www.flyfishingtechniques.co/2011/01/dragonfly-nymph/

[srupp]

very nice Dragon indeed..WELL done SIR..I actually do very well on Dragons in Dragon lake...along the weeds behind the campground...some beheamoths..

Steven

[WaterSkeeter]

very nice Dragon indeed..WELL done SIR..I actually do very well on Dragons in Dragon lake...along the weeds behind the campground...some beheamoths..

Steven

I have had great luck with my Dragon Pattern in the Legion Bay area on Dragon.