One sort of intangible value (and esteem booster) in tying your own flies is giving a few that are working or have worked to a fishing buddy, or a friend, or even a stranger at the lake/stream, and then seeing them catch fish or hearing about it. Unlikely that one will give away flies that you bought in a store for $$$'s!
Or if you're really nasty, give them some that you absolutely know won't work but claim that "that's weird, they worked for me" |
Buy don't tie. Tying is like cancer, it just grows and grows. Mind you, I'm not sure that my marriage would have survived the purchase of the near 5,000 flies typically carried through the summer.
And reminds me, I need more flies - Bye. Don |
I still occasionally buy some, even though I've been tying for 20+ yrs. If I am on a site or in a store that has something that looks interesting, I'll try 1/2doz to see how they work, before I bother with acquiring materials (if necc) and tying them.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk |
Quote:
|
Tying kit
Spent sometime last night organizing all the flies I have purchased over the last two years... I would say I probably have $500-$600 worth of flies. I enjoy buying them because I have two young boys and time is tough to find sometimes. But my wife pointed out something last night and basically gave me the green light. She said "you spent about two hours organizing flies, why don't you find that time and tie your own?".
Sounds like a green light to me. All of you who tie seem like you know a lot. What would be a good starter kit to purchase? Something basic to see if I can find the time, and to see if I enjoy it? I'm sure I won't be the only one jumping into this. Any advice would be appricated. |
Quote:
You can find an inexpensive intro kit at any of the big box stores or online. Not sure if any of the fly shops carry such beasts, as I think their market is more for upper end stuff. Minimally, you will need a vice, scissors, bobbin, whip finisher, hackle pliers, and a hair stacker. Consider where you will do most of your tying, as that may dictate if you need to have a vice with a base and/or c-clamp. |
ooops.
|
Quote:
Thanks! |
Tying or Buying?
Interesting thread... and everyone's opinion also very interesting! :thinking-006: Personally I started tying flies before I learned fly fishing, I broke my knee and was stationary for a few months so I taught myself to tie flies with videos and then when I could walk again I learned how to fly fish. I would have to say that in my opinion there is no better feeling than catching a fish with your own fly! Especially when you tweaked the fly to your liking! That being said, it can get expensive if you become obsessive with the materials! I don't tie my own to save money, I tie because the winters are long and I love the hobby. :)
|
Tying is much cheaper than buying, if you don't factor in your time. There is a learning curve. A few things you should consider first.
Do I have the ability? Do I have the dexterity? Do I have the patience? Like any hobby, cost is a factor. Flies today will run from $1.50 to $3 each or more. A quality fly tying vice alone will cost you $250, not to mention tools and materials. The other factor is, what is your time worth? Do you have the time to spend? Some would rather be fishing, others do not have the patience or dexterity. I have seen people drop $800 in tools and materials only to have them consigned to a box in the closet after a brief attempt at tying. In the end it’s the tier's talent not the tools. I come from 3 generations of fly fishers and Commercial tiers. Gramps taught me to tie "in hand" with no vice. Dad on the other hand tied on a simple Vice for many years.. |
Quote:
|
I tried tying but soon found that materials were expensive and aside from a couple of patterns my flies looked awful.
I then tried buying online from ickyflyworks and haven't looked back since then. Their prices are very fair and the quality is great. I've had no issues with shipping or quality, and they are my go to source for flies nowadays. |
Quote:
Do you have the eyesight? Can you pay attention to minute details? Do you have patience? Ability and dexterity come with practice. Learning what to practice comes with the ability to pay attention to details. Learning and practice are both easier with patience. Unfortunately, knowing whether or not someone has THE patience for fly tying can likely only be determined by trying. Quote:
|
You should start out tying for a hobby with a kit and one of two things will happen.
One you won't really enjoy it and get into it much but wil ty a few here and there but never really take off. Two your going to love it and be totally hooked at all the cool stuff you create and start giving your friends and family flys and different jigs you ty and there going to tell you how they work and caught fish then you are going to love it more and keep on tying and trying new patterns and materials and accumulating materials and join bunch Facebook group and network with bunch different people make good friends go to fly swaps and share tips and ideas and just be totally hooked. And not even worry about the money your spending cause it is relaxing and great way to unwInd with a few cold ones. Might start selling them and making money but if not your part of a whole other community of fishermen. Just my two cents but I only been tying for about nine months now and absolutely love it! |
As soon as you start to fish chironomids seriously, you might as well start tying them. The fish seem to be really picky about the size and colour during hatches and to have the right one at the right time means carrying hundreds of them. If you are fishing standard patterns then buying them is cheaper and time efficient. If you like tying then you will always have what you need. Also, store bought flies are generally tied on cheap hooks (unless custom) and I want my hooks to be strong and sharp.
I started tying at the same time that I started fishing. Then work got busy and didn't have the time and limited days to get out on the river so I bought a few. The first time I caught a fish on a fly that was bought I felt ashamed. So to me fly fishing is about tying your own flies. These are about half the chironomids I carry in the boat and there's no way I would be buying that many flies. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/742/3...904bc558_h.jpg |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Seriously that is one great looking collection...mine is so messy looking compared to that. And that is only half you say...okay....$2.00 then :) |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Very true. This was the only pattern I tied that looked decent.
All other patterns I buy. Quote:
|
I'd need a second job to afford steelheading if I didn't tie my own intruders.
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:06 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.