Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pond Bugs

George

Thanks for the info and the web site references. I appreciate the advice on flies for beginners to start with.

Can you suggest the basic equipment a beginner needs to get started?

Frank

Frank,

I completely agree with George. In the fly tieing class I took, the wooly bugger and the Clouser were the first and second flies respectively that were taught. In my simple approach, if you can tie those, you can tie most anything your mind can imagine.

There is an enterprising company that is selling "kits" for specific flies. They provide all the materials and instructions necessary to tie up several of whatever fly you purchase. I haven't tried it, but it looks like a good way to maybe get started. They advertise in most fly fishing mags and if interested I'll find you a reference.

The main thing is just get started and have fun with it. Don't be intimidated by pictures of beautifully professionally tied flies...if I can tie them to catch fish, anyone can.

Frank, I'll get back with you on this one - just don't buy one of those cheapie starter kits from WallyWorld or whatever.

IMHO the most important piece of equipment is the vise, and the sky is the limit on this.
In the long run it is better to buy good equipment than be sorry in the long run.

I recommend a true rotary vise and there is a new one on the market made largely from thermo plastic (?) that is low mid-range in price - I'll check my catalogue and email you.

Good qualty materials are available from many sources on the internet and I'll email some ideas when I get a chance.

I'm sure ML will chime in on this - he has lots of experience.
George

ps: My favorite vise is the Dyna-King "Barracuda" for about three hundred bucks, but definitely not a starter vise...

George and ML

Thanks - I think (I can see the "bug" catching me with nice tools, etc)

I look forward to your additional info.

Frank

Frank,

Here's a couple of my favorites. First the link below will take you to a great place to get low priced quality materials and components including some of the materials that George used in his flies. They also have a good looking vise, the Renzetti rotary entry vise, that looks pretty functional (page 98 lower right hand corner). I have a higher end model traveling version, but that one looks fine to me. I also have a DynaKing as George mentioned and its a great vise also. The main thing is to make sure you get a rotary vise.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com

The next link is my personal favorite because they have such a wide variety of products to choose from. You can find just about any fly stuff you might need. The Renzetti traveling vise I received as a present came from these folks.

http://www.feather-craft.com/index.html

Any help I can provide I'd love to because fly fishing is really a passion with me and nothing is more fun than helping someone else get started at it. Enjoy!

Would anyone have use for pheasant plummage, while we are talking about flies and all? I do a lot of pheasant hunting this time of year and the feathers mostly go in the trash. I would be happy to send some out if you like.

Frank,
I found the link for the rotary vise that I spoke about in an earlier post:
http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choic...d=6177&shop_id=

It’s the only true rotary vise that I know of under $100 bucks and listed by Orvis at $79.00.
Cabelas may also have it but haven’t checked.

Many fly tying materials can be found in craft stores:
Closed cell foam sheet for poppers and gurglers.
Fake hair (Santa Claus beards – Halloween masks etc.)
Polyester yarns
Doll eyes
Mylar items – Christmas tree tinsel – other flashy decorating stuff, etc
Etc….

Fabric stores:
Mylar tubing
Various chenille’s
Thread
Etc

Home center stores:
Close cell foam insulation in various shapes forms and colors.
Bead chain for eyes

Fly tying glue:
Sally Hansen’s “Hard a Nails” nylon finger nail polish
“GOOP” thinned with toluene (paint thinner)
Super Glue

Road Kill:
Take up Soberts on his pheasant capes
Never pass up a squirrel tail – good for many patterns.
Deer hunter friends – save the tails

This stuff in small packages in a Fly Shop will cost a fortune.

Too early in the morning to think of more – just use your imagination.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com and http://www.feather-craft.com/index.html are a good source for materials, hooks and hardware as ML mentioned, as well as www.barlowstackle.com

Numerous Internet fly patterns and instructions - make up some of your own.

About hooks – I strongly recommend 60-degree bend jig hooks, for reasons already posted, for all subsurface flies
Eagle Claw 410 (bronze) and EC413 (cad plated) Size # 4’s are smallest
“J’ hooks as small a #10 for bugs, (spiders – ants – hoppers) and as large as needed for poppers and gurglers.

This is more information that you wanted but a starting point anyway.

You would be surprised what you can tie with set of Long Nose vise-grip pliers for a vise – craft store items –and items from your Lady’s sewing and knitting basket.

After all – a cave man caught a fish on a bone hook and piece of feather - the idea is to catch a fish – remember?

Good luck,
George

Thanks George and ML

Those tips and links will get me many ideas.

Frank

George, just got my $-Gill after getting back from vacation. Beautiful piece of work.
Thanks