Sean, As far as tools go, it's probably better going ahead and getting some better tools to start off with, than going out and buying a cheap starter kit and having to replace them all. Here is a short list of the tools that I travel with, and so therefore, are probably my bare essentials. Keep in mind everyone uses different tools. As far as cheap places online to order them, I wouldn't have a clue, I haven't ordered tools online, I usually just buy mine from Swedes.
2 pair scissors (1 nice expensive pair of Dr. Slicks, 1 pair of cheapies for cutting wire) 2 bobbins (ceramic, it's worth the money to buy these from the start) 1 whip finisher (there are two major types, pick whichever one your familiar with, or as some people do, don't use one) 1 hackle plier (get the kind that has the rubber grommets to protect the feather) 1 bodkin (not essential, but handy for picking out stuff and applying head cement) 1 dubbing teaser (some people use them, some don't but I find it handy for tying buggy looking nymphs) 1 dubbing loop tool (there are various kinds, I find them essential for nymph tying, again some people don't use them) 2 hair stackers (you could probably get away with one, but I find it handy to have a large one for use with big hair, and a small one for small dry fly work) Aside from that, the only other tool I would consider essential is the vice, in my case I use a Regal, but that is entirely a matter of opinion and you should go to a fly shop and try a few vices out before you buy one. For materials, that's hard to say, it depends on what exactly what it is your tying. Probably a good idea to pick up a couple of books and pick out a dozen patterns, look through the book, make a list of the materials that are required for the patterns you plan on tying, and buy them. Then later on when you start tying more patterns, you can mail order materials through Cabela's or various other places online. As far as books go, there are hundreds of good books out there, I would suggest dropping the money and buying "A Fly Tiers Benchside Reference" by Ted Leeson, which is an awesome book that gives you instructions on how to tie just about anything (but pricey, $75), Dave Hughes "Trout Flies" for more specific instructions on individual patterns, the "Fly Patterns of the Umpqua Feather Merchant's" book which is a bible of pattern receipies, AK Best's Production Fly Tying for when you get a bit better and want to increase the efficiency and speed of your tying, and the all and all best book for getting back into tying, Skip Morris's "Fly Tying Made Simple and Clear", which I learned off of. Good book to walk you through your first couple of patterns. Again, there are tons of good books out there, but those are my suggestions. Order them off of Amazon.com, it'll save you quite a bit of cash. Best of luck with the new job, and happy tying! Ryan Davey worldanglr Calling Fly Fishing a hobby is like calling Brain Surgery a job. - Paul Schullery -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sean Grier Sent: February 25, 2003 3:14 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Jumping back in.... (previously transmuted to: Texas, Oklahoma, and other strange places...) Well, I guess I touched the wrong cord with my original e-mail. My intent was not to lament my lack of fishing opportunities in OK/TX; I'm quite certain I could find all kinds of new fishing to be had. The point was that my new job will entail a lot of time on-site, 6 day work weeks, and little time to wet a line. What I was truly looking for was the board's recommendations on how to get back into fly tying, and what hardware, books and materials to get and the cheapest places to get them.... It seems historically, with many of the posts on this board, that about 50+% of the board members are also tyers. I'd like to hear from you on your recommendations for returning to the art of FLY TYING. Thanks!!!! Sean ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 2:51 PM Subject: RE: Texas, Oklahoma, and other strange places... > That's no joke. Texas Oklahoma border alone has Lake Texoma. This is the kind of place you'll find some huge "wipers," a white bass/striper combo. The Ozarks in Arkansas are pretty sweet and not far away. Talaquah even has some Marginal trout fishing. > > Tyler Laurenti > > "Karen Crandall & Phil Marie-Rose" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >Fear not Sean, if you want to, you can fly fish all you want. When I worked for NASA I used to have to travel and spend time in Texas, Alabama, West Virginia (interesting trout fishing!), Mississippi, and Florida. You can flyfish anywhere you want in this country. In fe act, you may be surprised to find out that the fishing is better in Texas than it is here. Different species, but the average pond or small lake in texas, okalhoma, alabama, and other warm water areas has a longer and more productive season than the "Eastern Washington Gems" you are used to fishing. True topwater action all season long, and a 14 inch bass is a dink, not a trophy :-). You may even find some 14 inch bluegill! A little road trip to the Gulf of mexico will lay incredible fishing at your feet. Everything from Redfish to Tuna, depending on what you want to spend (redfish can be free, tuna will cost). Do you realize how close you are and how cheap it is to get to Mazatlan from where you will be? > > > >I bet you'll find a pond within 30 minutes of where you're staying that will make you a happy camper, so chin up! > > > >Phil > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Sean Grier > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 3:19 PM > > Subject: Jumping back in... > > > > > > Looks like I may finally be getting re-employed. As usual, that means that fishing will have to be hung up for a while (you NEVER get any time off at a new job). And since this job looks like it's gonna take me to NE Texas / South Oklahoma, flyfishing would not be given much opportunity. But I'll have plenty of time on my hands, and I'll need a clean, indoor hobby to keep my hands and mind busy. > > > > Soooo, at the risk of causing this board to hyperventilate from the responses I guess I'll get, I'll ask: What do I need to get back into the flytying biz? I used to tie as a teenager (unintelligible) years ago, and was halfway decent. An Orvis shop had just opened in Albuquerque, and I spent lots of time there bending ears and spending every spare dime I had on materials. I could tie dries down to about 18, nymphs and wooley worms (the bugger hadn't yet come to be). I figure that methods haven't changed THAT much that I couldn't get back into it in short order. > > > > I guess I need some suggestions on what hardware I need (fairly inexpensive vise and tools), which books you'd recommend for an intermediate tyer (wishing to become an advanced/intermediate tyer), and where to pick up materials inexpensively (what websites do you all use to buy your materials). Any videos you'd especially recommend? > > > > I figure I'll stay with NW trout patterns - mostly nymphs, chironies, emergers, buggers, leeches, streamers and the like as I'm primarily a still-water fisherman and have had my fill of dryfly fishing for the most part. > > > > Any and all suggestions are appreciated. I planto remain on the board so I can vicariously fish with you all this upcoming year, but I suspect that I'll spend most of my off-time resupplying my flyboxes for next year. > > > > Thanks in advance. > > > > Sean > > > > __________________________________________________________________ > The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp > > Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/ >
