How-To Want to start fly tying?

Nothing adds to your enjoyment of fly fishing, than does tying your own flies! Start simple, try larger flies (like size 6-10 hooks) and fish a pond for Bluegills! I have never seen a fly that wouldn't can't Bluegills! And, it's something to spend your time with during the cold winters! (Other than ice fishing, of course!) I found a good beginner's kit, very reasonable at $50 at Cabela's. Link is below. The tools are what are expensive! After that, you can add your own materials (heck, I buy a lot of my stuff at craft stores!) and hooks to continue on! Have fun- need any advice? Post here and I'll try to help! Best---- JoeW

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...=fly+tying+kit

[lip ripper]

Yes I must agree, I do not get to do a lot of fly fishing but tying your own fly's and catching fish is awesome. It also helps me catch more panfish, I can just tie a fly that looks exactly like what thy are eating. Also if you have ever cough a large mouth on a fly rod you know what fun is!!!! That is the way I started was with a beginner kit from Cabelas, great buy!

Totally agree! I fly fish mostly for trout and Steelhead, but if I find a suitable pond, there is nothing like a nice Largeouth sucking in a big hairy popper! I once took a 4 pound Northern Pike by accident fishing for lBass- that was a surprise! Best way to learn fly fishing and tying, though, is with Panfish, until you get the knack. Have a good one! Best---- JoeW

[bui boater]

im an avid duck hunter,a little pheasant, and some squirrel too.if you could use some feathers, or anything from a duck goose or other mammal, send me a s.a.se. and ill give ya any feather,fur,or part you may want. just pm me and get you the info

[repair]

Fly fishing is the only fishing I don't do, but I do tie by own buck tails.
I find that the color is the main trick, my go to colors is usually chartreuse and a bit of red.
Very productive for Large Mouths.

[dugger]

I just use 2lb or 4lb line for tippit do you guys only use premade tippet and I have trouble ending the tie on a fly do you use cement or what?

Hi dug----
I use a knotless tapered leader at the end of my fly line- 7 1/2 foot long, ending at about 3 lb test for stream trout, panfish, or light duty work. Now, to the end of that, I blood knot various tippets (or tips) about 24" long ranging from 2 lb down to 3/4 pound depending on conditions. I buy the tippet material in spools of about 20 yards.

For Bass, Steelhead, or other medium duty work, use tapered knotless leaders, 7 1/2 foot long, but ending in about 6 pound test. Then I carry three spools of 2, 4, and 6 pound mono and add 24" as a tippet.

The importance of a tapered leader for small- med flies is important! It lets the energy flow down the fly line, through the leader to properly "turn over" the fly and not just end up in a pile of leader!

For heavier duty, like Pike or where the Bass run large- I use a straight (non-tapered) leader of about 8' in 10 pound test, with a 12" "shock tippet" added of 20 pound for Pike.

Fly tying--- I end all of the flies I tie in three half hitches. Tie them tight! I can tie a "whip finish" knot but find them time consuming and unnecessary, and I mess them up half the time anyhow. What's more important is to finish off the fly with at least two coats of cement. Long ago I gave up on expensive "fly tying" cements and thinners, and just started using rod making varnish, or sometimes just plain old varnish! Apply it with a toothpick.
It's also very important to use tying thread appropriate to the fly you're tying. Very fine, flat thread for smaller trout flies, larger sizes for Bass flies. In actuality, for Bass size and bigger, I use plain ordinary cotton sewing thread! So long as it's tied tight and well varnished at the head, it's fine.
Interesting foot note- I read in an old fly tying book that red-dyed thread is always stronger- that the red dye damages the thread less than other colors. If you run into any "vintage" old snelled hooks, you'll see that they were always wound with red thread! I always use red thread (if appropriate) with my larger flies.
Have fun! Best---- JoeW

[bass or bass?]

I don't use anything special for fly leaders, just 4 pound test Trilene XL for my 5 weight panfish rig and 10 pound test TrileneXL on my 7 weight bass gig. 8 feet long for both.

[dugger]

Thanks guys had a little trouble with the wraps coming off, made some flies big streamers actually out of winter undercoat of a german sheperd with parakeet feathers UGGGALEEEE fly ,though even caught a decent brown but I never really got into it ,but you fellas make me want to give it another shot really intrested about tying jigs for lakers too toadfrog inspired me own those!

[bdpeters]

I agree with Joe on the finishing the fly. I also use a few half hitches. my reason for not using a whip finish is that I have a hard time using the tool. Its a simple matter to throw on a few half hitch's and then I finish off with some head cement or clear fingernail polish. I just use the cheap stuff from the dollar store.