In the previous post I discussed several different types of tool every fly tying beginner will need to get started. In addition to the tools you will need some materials to make your flies. The basic fly tying materials include:
1. Hooks - You'll need an assortment of hooks designed for tying wet, dry, nymph, and streamer flies. The general size range will be from size 10-16 depending on what you will be tying. Mustard makes a good quality hook and they can be found at most quality sporting goods or tackle stores. In this category I'll include bead heads and head cement as well.
2. Hackle - These are long narrow feathers usually from the neck or saddle area of a rooster or chicken. Hackle is often died and usually available in a wide range of assortments, various hades of browns, blacks and tan will be the most common.
3. Dubbing - This is the material used for making fly bodies and you will want an assortment of colors in this as well.
4. Thread - Here you want to look for colors generally in shades of brown, black , tan an olive. they come in various sizes but 3/0 and 6/0 will be the ones you'll use the most often.
5. Fur and hair - squirrel tail, deer fur, fox fur, calf tail are all common in fly tying. The squirrel tail will be the one you definitely need to have on hand. All of these can be found online fairly inexpensive at eBay.
This is a basic list of the types of materials that the beginner at fly tying will need. Often the easiest thing to do is purchase kit with an assortment of all of these items. Before you go out and purchase a bunch of materials read some books, look online , rent some videos about fly tying to give you a better idea of what types of flies you want to start out making. You don't want to buy a fly tying kit or materials and get them home and find out you don't have what you need to make the fly you want. If there is a local fly tying club in your area I highly recommend joining and teaming up with an experienced fly fisherman to help instruct you.
Fly Fishing For Beginners | Fly Tying Kits And Supplies
Fly Tying For Beginners | Intro To Fly Tying Tools
As a beginning fly fisherman you may decide to take up the age-old art of fly tying. Fly tying is a wonderful hobby that date back to the 1800's. It is the process of creating artificial baits " the fly" that imitates the natural food that fish eat. Flies can be made to catch almost any fish from trout, salmon, pan fish, bass and many species of saltwater fish. If you’re a fly fishing beginner you might also find that you will enjoy tying flies when you cant make it out to your favorite fishing hole. I'll start at the beginning by showing you the basic tools involved in fly tying.
1. The Fly Vice - The key component required to hold the hook for tying the fly. Fly vices come in many differnt styles. Some vices are made to mount on a bench or table. They also come in pedestal models that stand on a heavy base to keep them from tipping. Portable fly tying vices are also available for tying flies streamside when necessary. Choosing the right fly vice is very important I'll get into the details in a later post.
2. The Bobbin- If you have ever used a sewing machine you should know what a bobbin is. Bobbins are used to hold the thread, yarn, or wire necessary for tying flies. Most likely you'll want a couple of these.
3. Hackle Pliers - these are a spring-loaded type of pliers used to hold hackle. Hackle usually refers to feathers, hair or fur used in creating flies.
4. Hair Stacker - This device allows you to stack the various types of hair you will be using so that the ends are even.
5. Scissors- you'll need a small pair of sharp scissors on hand any time you working on your flies. You may find it best to have a couple pair of different sizes. Main thing is to choose good quality pair that fit you well.
5. Bodkin- this is basically a long needle with a handle useful when adding glue to the fly, picking out hairs or other delicate type work. You can probably make one if you’re resourceful.
6. Whip Finishers- these are tools designed to help you tie the finishing knots necessary when creating your fly.
This a pretty good overview of the basic tools the fly tying beginner will want to have on hand. Many of these items can be purchased in beginners tying kit or second hand though online auctions. I'd suggest online auctions as they can often be bought at a big discount form a person that decided fly tying wasn’t for them. Your better sporting goods stores and tackle shops will also carry basic fly tying tools. In my next fly tying post I'll discuss the various materials you be needing including hooks, hackle, bead heads, etc....
Fly Fishing Gear For Beginners | Ways to learn and Improve
I began this site with the idea in mind that everyone think a lot like I do. Guess what! I was wrong. In some of my earlier Fly Fishing For Beginner articles, I mentioned my distaste for reading directions and prefer to learn as I go. Many beginners don't necessarily like this Idea so here are some suggestions on other ways to learn and improve upon your fly fishing.
1. Join a club. In every area where you can fly fish there is almost always a local fly fishing or fly tying club that offers beginner classes. Most of these clubs meet once a month to discuss various fly fishing gear and techniques. They will also usually hold several group fly fishing outings. These fly fishing trips are an excellent place to learn from more experienced fishermen, that have a desire to share their knowledge. I learned from my father, sort of a 1 man club :)
2. Hire a guide. Most fishing guides offer both instructional sessions and guided fly fishing trips that are bound to be successful. Depending on your area the prices will vary greatly. If you are fortunate to live in an area where fly fishing streams and lakes are plentiful then chances are you can find a guide for a fairly inexpensive price. Before booking a lesson check to see if they provide the gear or if you need to bring your own.
3. Plan a vacation. There are hordes of fly fishing lodges, camps and vacation destinations throughout the US and Canada. If you are planning a vacation why not make it one where you can both learn the art of fly fishing and get some quality time away from work. If you plan a fly fishing vacation several lodges and resorts offer not only fly fishing lessons but the use of their gear as well. This might be an expensive way to learn but I guarantee you'll enjoy the memories for years to come. There's nothing quite like fly fishing in Canada or taking a Smoky Mountain vacation.
However you decide to learn or improve your fly fishing is up to you. The main goal is to enjoy the sport. Don't get so wrapped up in technique and results like many golfers that your ruin the experience. Fly fishing is a time to relax, enjoy nature and share time with fellow fisherman. Hopefully, someday you will have learned enough you can teach the next fly fishing beginner.
Fly Fishing For Beginners | Fly Fishing Legally
I have discussed several different fly fishing gear related topics. Today, I'll shift gears just a bit and cover the legal necessities of fly fishing. Those of you visiting the site that are experienced fly fisherman will probably find this a waste of time, however the focus of this site is for the beginning fly fisherman. Many that visit this site have probably never fished a day in their life, let alone try fly fishing.
OK, enough of the chit chat, back to my topic fishing legal requirements.
The first thing you will need to purchase before fishing for the first time is a fishing license. The penalties for getting caught fishing without one are costly. Much like hunting without a license, it is considered a form of poaching and can result in fines or jail time depending on the severity of the offense, and how stringent the laws are in your area. In addition to a typical fishing license, most states, maybe all of them I'm not sure, will require you to purchase a trout stamp if you plan on fishing for trout. Some national parks, private lands and possibly state run facilities may not require the trout stamp. Before fishing please read all the rules and regulations for the area you will be fishing.
In these rules and regulations you will find other requirements that must also be followed. Usually there are limits on the size, number and types of fish you can keep. These limits are often statewide but each individual stream, river or lake you fish may have additional size and catch limits for that particular location. In my area there are also time restrictions as well. There is an opening day for all trout fishing and further restrictions on certain stream and lakes involved in restocking programs. Fishing in general on some of the streams I fish are restricted during certain hunting season and other times of the year. Again read the rules and regulations for your area.
Trespassing is another legal concern you should be consider. Never cross into private waters or land without the owners permission. I personally have the owners sign a permission slip so that if stopped by the DRN I have proof that I'm allowed to fish that particular location. DNR officers can often times be worse than regular law enforcement officers, I'm not sure why this is. If you happen to be a DNR officer please don't take offense. I have just seen my fair share of nasty ones. :) Fortunately for me every time I have been asked I have all the required licenses. Hopefully I have got my point across, I would hate for anyone new to the sport of fly fishing to violate the rules and ruin their fishing experience. If you take care to fish legally and teach others the same your new hobby will be a great enjoyment for you.
Fly Fishing Gear For Beginners| Fly Fishing Gear Overlooked
In several of my previous post I have mentioned various types of fly fishing gear that are a must for the beginner. In my haste to create a valuable list of this gear, I overlooked two very important pieces of gear that are essential for all fly fisherman.
1. The fly-fishing vest- Why is this so important do you ask?
Answer: fly fishing in a stream often requires wading from hole to another in search of that trophy trout. You can’t very well do this if you keep running back to
shore to grab your tackle box. Having a fly vest allows you the ability to carry all the necessities on your person to keep you mobile. Extra leader, tippets, net, fly box stocked with the appropriate assortment of flies, pliers, etc.... You get the picture.
2. A wading belt - Why do I need a belt if I have shoulder straps?
Answer: Have you ever tried to fetch your pliers from the foot of your waders after you carelessly dropped them inside your waders? I know this sounds crazy but anyone who has been fly fishing for long has dropped something down his or her waders. If you had your wading belt on it would prevent this from happening. In addition to this nice convenience this often overlooked piece of fly fishing gear can save your life. How is that possible you ask? It will help to keep air trapped inside and water out for that occasion where you step without looking and plunge in over your head. It helps keep you floating instead of sinking like a rock. Nothing ruins a good day of fishing like drowning!!!
Like many of the different types of fly fishing gear I have discussed on this site, these too can be purchased second hand via eBay or garage sales, often on clearance at local shops, or if you feel froggy from a high priced fly fishing shop. In closing let me apologize for not mentioning these often overlooked pieces of fly fishing gear in my earlier fly fishing tips for beginners.
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