Fly tying kit

capefisherman · 10-31-2007, 03:15 PM

Ok, so im wanting to start tying flys but can't find a good kit to start with. I like the one from Bass pro which is the "white river salt water kit." http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...=SearchResults
Does anyone have a good supplier or kit they like for a starter?

Thanks,
CFM

Let the suggestions flow, im all ears:

Dave Sikorski · 10-31-2007, 04:06 PM

I started with the bass pro set.

It's ok, but we can do better here.

I have mountains of stuff in the basement. Even have my old bass pro vise if I'm not mistaken.

I'll dig around in the next couple days and put together a package for you.

You pay shipping and it's yours.

I bet there are some other folks who could donate a thing or two themselves.

What are you looking to tie? Name a few patterns if you can.

-D

capefisherman · 10-31-2007, 05:22 PM

Dave,
That would be awesome!! I'm thinking I would love to throw together some clousers, deceivers, and such as that....anything salt water (drum, specs, spanish, and such) and small pan fish stuff...like some wollyboogers for brim and bass.... I would be MORE than happy to pay shipping and I'd pay you something too if you want!

Thanks!
-CFM

CapeMayRay · 10-31-2007, 08:02 PM

Way to go Dave, helping set someone up fly tying.

Capefisherman, start with tying the simple stuff and work your way up. Everything you tie will catch and you will soon have tons of materials as you try different styles of flies. Good Luck.

OneMoreCast · 11-02-2007, 11:45 AM

I'd suggest not getting any kits... The material is totally substandard as are the tools and the vise.
I can get some stuff together and give it to Sikorski... we should run into each other in the next few days... Shooting or catching something..

I'll say this... some things do matter in your overall enjoyment. These are the things I found to be useful even if slightly more expensive...
1) Ceramic bobbin... this bobbin has a ceramic insert. Bobbins lacking this are just a metal sleeve. Your thread will break more often when applying tension
2) Good scissors.. Crappy scissors will be $5 to $10. They will dull in no time and really start to piss you off. The best low cost scissors are either anvil or high end Dr Slicks.. these will be around $20+ and are well worth it. Warning.. synthetics will dull the blades 10x faster than natural material.
3) Middle of the road vise... renzetti traveler seems to have to lions share of the market. The sky is the limit as far as this tool goes. A low end vise will run you $100... the traveler should be around $150... they can go over $600

i say all this for a few reasons... first.. Bass Pro Shops is the freakin anti-christ of the fly fishing community. We have lost no less than 6 small shops in our area since BPS moved in. That's a lot.... it's taking a toll on our area. i know the manager of the fly shop. He is a very very good fly fisherman and an all around nice guy. But, it isn't the same as a small shop. The sell some poor guy a setup on the cheap and unleash him on the world.. At a small shop... like the one I have ties too.. if you bought a rod and reel, they would call me to come in a give you a free casting lesson... if you bought a vise... they'd call me to come in a give you a free tying lesson.. It's a shame we all don't live closer.. There are so many people who want to get into the sport and don't have a club or other outlet that can mentor their progress.
Anyway... next time I see Sikorski.. no later than next weekend.. I'll give him some stuff to ship down to you.
One of the most important things are flies for models... If you can hold it in your hands, you can understand how it was tied. I'll send some of those too.. simple ones.. not the tough ones yet.
If anyone reading this is wondering why fly fisherman in general are so willing to give and teach....I'll explain it in a few words.. Our sport is more of an art than a means to an end. It is as difficult to master as the most complex form of study... Yet, it offers a primitive connection to our hunter gather past.. However, it does not offer instant gratification. We are a dying culture. Our sport should not fade quietly into the night. We need to teach those that want to learn... Who will take care of my stripers and trout when i am gone? Who from the next generation will be there for the fight to restore our resources? John Voelker said it much more eloquently than my New Jersey upbringing will allow...
I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape; because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience;

I really think everyone should experience Mr Voelker's version of the outdoors at some point in their lives...

capefisherman · 11-05-2007, 10:55 AM

What an awesome quote...i might be using that in the very near future.

All this is awesome, you guys could not be nicer to set me up with all this stuff. I can't wait to get to tieing...im sure im going to have endless questions!

Thanks a ton,
Neill

CapeMayRay · 11-05-2007, 12:42 PM

OneMoreCast, Think you hit the nail on the head. Buy quaility and it will last for a long time and nothing like a small fly shop close by or a club where you can stay tuned on what is working and learn from others.

Also about the outdoors. Most saltwater anglers are into only catching keeper size fish and anything less is a bad trip. We all would like to catch bigger fish but with fly fishermen in general there is nothing like being out away from a crowd of boats surrounded by nature and being a part of the whole process from making the fly, the strip, the fight and the release.

I use to do a lot of live lining, and bunker chunking. (put on a circle hook throw the line out and sit and wait for the rod to bend over and reel in the hooked fish.) Very effective but not as much fun as on the fly. It is harder to catch the super large fish on a fly beause of where most of the really big bass feed. (down deep with heavier current and they are looking for a large meal) When you do hook a big one the reward is much greater.

CapeFisherman, best of luck, it takes some alittle time and all aspects of flyfishing get easier and better. There is always something new to learn about our sport which keeps the excitement level high. When you find what works for you, build on it, but don't be afraid to try new things.

OneMoreCast · 11-16-2007, 07:06 PM

Just dropped off an old vise, anvil scissors, box o' hooks.. various ones lying around my table..

.. 2 bucktails, ceramic bobbin, thread.. and pack of eyes with Sikorski.
Hope you enjoy.. I'm sure he'll be sending them to you soon.

Dave Sikorski · 11-17-2007, 09:54 AM

The "kit" will be headed south on Monday.

Trust me, the stuff on its way is much better than what "ass pro" would have sold you.

The fish are in trouble.

-D

capefisherman · 11-24-2007, 02:41 PM

Im so stoked! I can't wait to get this stuff! thanks so much guys! Ill let you know when i get it...HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

10-31-2007, 03:15 PM	#1
capefisherman Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 394 Credits: 5,048.4	Fly tying kit Ok, so im wanting to start tying flys but can't find a good kit to start with. I like the one from Bass pro which is the "white river salt water kit." http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...=SearchResults Does anyone have a good supplier or kit they like for a starter? Thanks, CFM Let the suggestions flow, im all ears:

10-31-2007, 04:06 PM	#2
Dave Sikorski Got Carpal Tunnel? Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MD Posts: 3,791 Credits: 7,680.6 Boat: Bankes Goliath 21' Home Port: Any place, any time. Best Catch: The next one Occupation: Builder/Realtor	I started with the bass pro set. It's ok, but we can do better here. I have mountains of stuff in the basement. Even have my old bass pro vise if I'm not mistaken. I'll dig around in the next couple days and put together a package for you. You pay shipping and it's yours. I bet there are some other folks who could donate a thing or two themselves. What are you looking to tie? Name a few patterns if you can. -D __________________ CHANGE your own life, don't wait for someone to do it for you.

10-31-2007, 08:02 PM	#4
CapeMayRay Crab mustard is good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cape May, New Jersey Posts: 934 Credits: 1,616.9 Occupation: Charter Capt.	Way to go Dave, helping set someone up fly tying. Capefisherman, start with tying the simple stuff and work your way up. Everything you tie will catch and you will soon have tons of materials as you try different styles of flies. Good Luck. __________________ Tide Runner Fly and Light Tackle Charters Cape May, New Jersey 609 884 6440 Tiderun1@aol.com Past President 2005 & 2006 South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers

11-02-2007, 11:45 AM	#5
OneMoreCast Got fish Join Date: May 2006 Location: Md Posts: 172 Credits: 1,264.5 Occupation: space cowboy	I'd suggest not getting any kits... The material is totally substandard as are the tools and the vise. I can get some stuff together and give it to Sikorski... we should run into each other in the next few days... Shooting or catching something.. I'll say this... some things do matter in your overall enjoyment. These are the things I found to be useful even if slightly more expensive... 1) Ceramic bobbin... this bobbin has a ceramic insert. Bobbins lacking this are just a metal sleeve. Your thread will break more often when applying tension 2) Good scissors.. Crappy scissors will be $5 to $10. They will dull in no time and really start to piss you off. The best low cost scissors are either anvil or high end Dr Slicks.. these will be around $20+ and are well worth it. Warning.. synthetics will dull the blades 10x faster than natural material. 3) Middle of the road vise... renzetti traveler seems to have to lions share of the market. The sky is the limit as far as this tool goes. A low end vise will run you $100... the traveler should be around $150... they can go over $600 i say all this for a few reasons... first.. Bass Pro Shops is the freakin anti-christ of the fly fishing community. We have lost no less than 6 small shops in our area since BPS moved in. That's a lot.... it's taking a toll on our area. i know the manager of the fly shop. He is a very very good fly fisherman and an all around nice guy. But, it isn't the same as a small shop. The sell some poor guy a setup on the cheap and unleash him on the world.. At a small shop... like the one I have ties too.. if you bought a rod and reel, they would call me to come in a give you a free casting lesson... if you bought a vise... they'd call me to come in a give you a free tying lesson.. It's a shame we all don't live closer.. There are so many people who want to get into the sport and don't have a club or other outlet that can mentor their progress. Anyway... next time I see Sikorski.. no later than next weekend.. I'll give him some stuff to ship down to you. One of the most important things are flies for models... If you can hold it in your hands, you can understand how it was tied. I'll send some of those too.. simple ones.. not the tough ones yet. If anyone reading this is wondering why fly fisherman in general are so willing to give and teach....I'll explain it in a few words.. Our sport is more of an art than a means to an end. It is as difficult to master as the most complex form of study... Yet, it offers a primitive connection to our hunter gather past.. However, it does not offer instant gratification. We are a dying culture. Our sport should not fade quietly into the night. We need to teach those that want to learn... Who will take care of my stripers and trout when i am gone? Who from the next generation will be there for the fight to restore our resources? John Voelker said it much more eloquently than my New Jersey upbringing will allow... I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape; because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience; I really think everyone should experience Mr Voelker's version of the outdoors at some point in their lives... __________________ "The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing."

11-05-2007, 12:42 PM	#7
CapeMayRay Crab mustard is good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cape May, New Jersey Posts: 934 Credits: 1,616.9 Occupation: Charter Capt.	OneMoreCast, Think you hit the nail on the head. Buy quaility and it will last for a long time and nothing like a small fly shop close by or a club where you can stay tuned on what is working and learn from others. Also about the outdoors. Most saltwater anglers are into only catching keeper size fish and anything less is a bad trip. We all would like to catch bigger fish but with fly fishermen in general there is nothing like being out away from a crowd of boats surrounded by nature and being a part of the whole process from making the fly, the strip, the fight and the release. I use to do a lot of live lining, and bunker chunking. (put on a circle hook throw the line out and sit and wait for the rod to bend over and reel in the hooked fish.) Very effective but not as much fun as on the fly. It is harder to catch the super large fish on a fly beause of where most of the really big bass feed. (down deep with heavier current and they are looking for a large meal) When you do hook a big one the reward is much greater. CapeFisherman, best of luck, it takes some alittle time and all aspects of flyfishing get easier and better. There is always something new to learn about our sport which keeps the excitement level high. When you find what works for you, build on it, but don't be afraid to try new things. __________________ Tide Runner Fly and Light Tackle Charters Cape May, New Jersey 609 884 6440 Tiderun1@aol.com Past President 2005 & 2006 South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers

10-31-2007, 05:22 PM	#3
capefisherman Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 394 Credits: 5,048.4	Dave, That would be awesome!! I'm thinking I would love to throw together some clousers, deceivers, and such as that....anything salt water (drum, specs, spanish, and such) and small pan fish stuff...like some wollyboogers for brim and bass.... I would be MORE than happy to pay shipping and I'd pay you something too if you want! Thanks! -CFM

11-05-2007, 10:55 AM	#6
capefisherman Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 394 Credits: 5,048.4	What an awesome quote...i might be using that in the very near future. All this is awesome, you guys could not be nicer to set me up with all this stuff. I can't wait to get to tieing...im sure im going to have endless questions! Thanks a ton, Neill

11-16-2007, 07:06 PM	#8
OneMoreCast Got fish Join Date: May 2006 Location: Md Posts: 172 Credits: 1,264.5 Occupation: space cowboy	Just dropped off an old vise, anvil scissors, box o' hooks.. various ones lying around my table.. .. 2 bucktails, ceramic bobbin, thread.. and pack of eyes with Sikorski. Hope you enjoy.. I'm sure he'll be sending them to you soon. __________________ "The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing."

11-17-2007, 09:54 AM	#9
Dave Sikorski Got Carpal Tunnel? Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MD Posts: 3,791 Credits: 7,680.6 Boat: Bankes Goliath 21' Home Port: Any place, any time. Best Catch: The next one Occupation: Builder/Realtor	The "kit" will be headed south on Monday. Trust me, the stuff on its way is much better than what "ass pro" would have sold you. The fish are in trouble. -D __________________ CHANGE your own life, don't wait for someone to do it for you.

11-24-2007, 02:41 PM	#10
capefisherman Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 394 Credits: 5,048.4	Im so stoked! I can't wait to get this stuff! thanks so much guys! Ill let you know when i get it...HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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