fly tying

[thundergrey]

Where is a good place to go in Edmonton to get set up for this (cheapest)? And how much would it be to get a basic set up? im bored today and have been thinking about learning how for awhile now.

thanks all!

[honda450]

Came to the right place. I do not tie but have been involved in the fly swaps we have had on this forum. Seen the product of guys that tie on here. Awesome craftmanship. They will speak up. Good luck and have fun with a rewarding hobby.

[Big Bull]

I was picking up supplies in Edmonton last weekend and went to Wholesale Sports and the Fishin' Hole. Wholesale seemed to have a lot of empty spaces on their racks, and barely any hooks or bead heads. However, when the salesman saw my list, he did help me find the items that they did have. Then I headed to the Fishin' Hole on the south side, and found nearly all of the supplies that I needed, help was available when I asked for it. I also talked to some of the guys from Northern Lights Fly Tiers at the Sportsman's Show. Very friendly bunch and they meet every Wednesday for tying sessions. If I lived in Edmonton, I would check them out. Just do a search for them online.

[thundergrey]

i ended up going to wholesale and the guys there were very helpful. they didnt have a "kit" to get started, but did help me piece together my own to get started. cost me $80 and i ended up with some good basics. vise, hooks, thread (x8), wire, peacock, deer hair (i grabbed that to mess around with), snips, thread spooler thingy (haha), and a case for my flys and another for all the gear (that im sure will get out grown very fast), he talked me out of a whip finishing tool and said its just as easy to do by hand. but my sausage fingers might not cooperate... we will see... anyone know of any good online guides/patterns sites or whatever?

[thundergrey]

Originally Posted by Big Bull

I also talked to some of the guys from Northern Lights Fly Tiers at the Sportsman's Show. Very friendly bunch and they meet every Wednesday for tying sessions. If I lived in Edmonton, I would check them out. Just do a search for them online.

thanks for the link! i am currenty laid off so i have lots of time and will be there this week for some tips and tricks!

[Albertabowhunter]

Most fishing stores carry starter kits for fly tying(Fishing hole, Fishing center, wholesale sports). What I did though when I started was. Buy/borrow a fly tying book. Determine what patterns/flies you want to start with. Get yourself a decent vise. Pick up the materials you need for tying your chosen patterns. Go to a fly tying club such as Northern lights in Edmonton. Learn the techniques.

Alot of the materials in some fly tying kits you will never use or are junk. Better to spend the money on a vice that will last you until you ned better. No need to start with a rotary vice but you may want one after a few years.

If you have any questions regarding techniques, feel free to PM me. I can try to help or I'll direct you to a couple books that are excellent for illustrated instructiuons.

[Alliman]

I came across a book at Wallyworld in the fishing section called The art of Fly Tying put out by the fresh water angler, for a beginner its a excellent book and easy avalible ,step by step instructions and very well illistrated check it out!

[thundergrey]

i found some videos on youtube...

http://learnflytying.co.uk/2007/06/05/tying-a-buzzer/

its pretty good so far and im on number 6 now. ill post pics later tonight of my attempts haha

[thundergrey]

my first attempts at fly tying. i dont know what they are, just kinda makin things up as i go... started left and going right if you couldnt guess haha

[fishead]

Nice work, the best part is to actually catch a fish with one of those babies

[honda450]

Gotta commend you thundergrey. Very good. Just think what you will be tieing after a year or so. Good job.

[Alliman]

Nothing wrong with those ! Tight lines

[honda450]

The new fly swap #3 will be coming up shortly thundergrey. There will be two catagories from what I understand. Beginners and non- tie guys. And the pros. Each will have a prize, which are fly fishing reels that loon was so kind to donate. I threw in a second prize of a Springbrook pocket fly box. Ya get some nice flys back. Hope you are in it. Watch for details. Looks like ya may be a ringer for the beginners catagory.

[thundergrey]

Thanks guys. Even I am surprised at myself. I just need some more patterns and ideas. I'll be going to the meeting on Wednesday to sharpen my skills and get some ideas. And I'll be keeping my eyes open honda450 for that fly swap.

Anyone know what you can do with deer hair? I bought some but don't really know what to do with it. I tried with number 2 but it's pretty thick for that. Ideas? Pics are good too haha

[Kingfisher]

Good work there Thundergrey. They look better than my first flies ever did.

For some deer hair flies try tying some humpy's or some Tom Thumbs. Almost the same fly. The nice thing about them is the worse they look the better the trout like them.

The Tom Thumb fly.

Here is a video for a humpy. They say to use elk hair. But you can also tie it with deer hair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNpmqFtCleI

There are some fantastic video's on You Tube for learning to tie flies. Here is a good one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eoq5IAzj28g

Here is a link to the Sport Fishing On the Fly website. http://sfotf.ca/main/index.php
Check out the "on the bench" it has links to all kinds of flies with lots of pictures and step by step instructions on how to tie different flies.

Also try tying some Wooly Worms. They are great all round patterns for imitating all kinds of aquatic insects.

The Wooly Worm


Or you can tie a Wooly Bugger by tying the same fly, but adding in marabou to the tail. They make a nice leech pattern. Don't forget to add a bit of flash to the tail.

The Wooly Bugger

Good luck and happy tying. Welcome to the addiction.
Rob