I just tied my 1st fly last week and I got hooked, here are the main questions, is it important to have the exact materials the fly pattern calls for, or more important to learn the techniques. As you all already know, some of the material is outrageously priced and as a beginner trying to buy everything at once can be expensive. I'll have to add, I do not " fly fish" I will use all the ones I make under the hard water ice fishing, I make all my own ice jigs and wanted to add some flash to be different, hence the reason I started tying and from there I've become addicted. Any and all help, advice will greatly be appriciated. TYIA
New to tying
- Thread starter Wapakicedawg
- Start date
Cool, it's fun.
I wouldn't worry about convention, mess around with all the variables, size, shape, colour, texture.
Because most things are never simple, also try and master the classics. Everything is on YouTube.
Keep it cheap until you feel your flies are at a level to deserve the expensive stuff.
For jig type ice fishing flies, marabou, a hook and bead are all you really need to catch fish. Add some thin wire for durability. Over time use crystal flash, chenille, learn to use dubbing, check out the new fancy stuff like straggle string. It's a rabbit hole..
And you can also use rabbit!
Tie a lot and have fun.
I wouldn't worry about convention, mess around with all the variables, size, shape, colour, texture.
Because most things are never simple, also try and master the classics. Everything is on YouTube.
Keep it cheap until you feel your flies are at a level to deserve the expensive stuff.
For jig type ice fishing flies, marabou, a hook and bead are all you really need to catch fish. Add some thin wire for durability. Over time use crystal flash, chenille, learn to use dubbing, check out the new fancy stuff like straggle string. It's a rabbit hole..
And you can also use rabbit!
Tie a lot and have fun.
First off, welcome to the Guild @Wapakicedawg The first and only rule when it come to fly tying is "There are NO Rules!" anything goes, that's the beauty of it. Play around, tweek, change, add to any pattern and have fun with it. Once you catch your first fish on your own creation you will understand why most of us are obsessively addicted, haha! Here are a few links to previously posted videos and illustrations on using the whip finisher, all three are different. Looking forward to seeing some of your creations. 
www.flytyingguild.com
www.flytyingguild.com
How to use a MATARELLI type whip finisher tool
I created this PDF a few years back - feel free to share, but please credit me if you do:)
VIDEO - Hand Whip Finishing
Many years ago I was taught how to whip finish by hand, no tool. I haven't picked up a whip finisher since (I don't even know where my old one is). I don't have to look around my desk every time I want to finish off a fly (I lose things right under my nose every time I tie flies-maybe I should...
Here is some How too's when it comes to some of the sites functions that may help some along the way.
Not hard to tie flies out of anything, shoe laces, elastic bands, and yarn are 3 examples of material that will turn out flies like you wouldn't believe. The main thing is to learn the procedures of tying. Starting the thread, whip finishing, tying the material in, etc. Once you have this it is quite simple to tie.
I remember a video series from a guy who only tied with house hold items, dryer lint dubbing, cat hair and what not. It was funny, but the patterns worked too lol!
So this is what I've found to be true for me..... bobbins matter, I have the Bass Pro starter kit bobbin which has worked well, but when trying to tie threads that are finer it seems there is too much tension on the spool and I keep tearing the thread apart, any and all suggestions would be great... we all started somewhere lol
@Wapakicedawg pull on the two ends that attach to the spool of thread bending it out slightly, that will take the tension off the thread spool. you may need to bend and rebend to get the desired tension.
LOL, I knew somebody recycled pet hair and drier lint for dubbing besides me. My wife's Yorkshire Terrier has the perfect gray color for Adams dry flies. I scrape off the hair of the grooming brush, run the hair through a coffee blender, and bag it. Fine dubbing is available when I clean off the clothes drier filter. However, I don't get the color I can use. But it is free.
Wapakicedawg, I converted my bobbins from steel to ceramic tubes years ago. Before that I had to use a flexible file to smooth out the steel tubes of my bobbins when I notice the tube was fraying the thread.. Frankly, I like the convenience of the Rite bobbin. I don't need to continually adjust the tension of the thread.
To know what materials you need first ask yourself what you like to fish for! The list of materials will come from that and each fishing situation will call for different materials - yes - there is overlap but if i were tying for warm water/flat water situations and species many trout fly materials would not work and almost all salmon, salt water materials would not be used.
As far as learning the materials - YES - that IS important! I;ve been tying for 50 years now and a bit old school BUT the one book that I TRUELY learned fly tying from did not have a single fly pattern in it's pages and was written by a fantastic tyer, teacher and writer - Helen Shaw's Fly Tying: Materials, Tools and Techniques.
Here is a nice aticle from another well used site (i.e. - if you are looking for some nice reference sites to use in the future NOTE THIS ONE DOWN!) -
https://globalflyfisher.com/tie-better/dont-tie-flies - don't let the title scare you i it is all tongue-in-cheek! Especially look at the bootom of this rather long and informative article.
Hopem this helps.
Kim
BTW, I am working towards hosting some fly swaps on this site and all my swaps involve a fly tying gift or two to the swappers and all my swaps are open to ALL level/experienced tyers. I do give particular attention and assistance to new/novice tyers to help with their improvement and most importantly - so they have FUN! Been hosting swaps for over 10 years and haven't had a problem that I couldn't help correct yet.
As far as learning the materials - YES - that IS important! I;ve been tying for 50 years now and a bit old school BUT the one book that I TRUELY learned fly tying from did not have a single fly pattern in it's pages and was written by a fantastic tyer, teacher and writer - Helen Shaw's Fly Tying: Materials, Tools and Techniques.
Here is a nice aticle from another well used site (i.e. - if you are looking for some nice reference sites to use in the future NOTE THIS ONE DOWN!) -
https://globalflyfisher.com/tie-better/dont-tie-flies - don't let the title scare you i it is all tongue-in-cheek! Especially look at the bootom of this rather long and informative article.
Hopem this helps.
Kim
BTW, I am working towards hosting some fly swaps on this site and all my swaps involve a fly tying gift or two to the swappers and all my swaps are open to ALL level/experienced tyers. I do give particular attention and assistance to new/novice tyers to help with their improvement and most importantly - so they have FUN! Been hosting swaps for over 10 years and haven't had a problem that I couldn't help correct yet.
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Kim, your advice is spot on! I started out with Helen Shaw's book as well. It gave me a good start. I ran across another book several years ago, Step-by-Step Beginner Fly Tying Manual & DVD by Ryan Keyes when I looked for a book for beginner fly tiers at Project Healing Waters. I lead the fly tying program for my local Project Healing Waters program. Keyes's book has to be the very best manual I've ever read for beginner fly tiers. I convinced our program lead to buy enough of this book for all of our disabled veterans. I teach progressive skill-building with emphasis on techniques and familiarity of materials in my classes.
Wapakicedawg, keep track of the flies you believe you might use. Prepare a recipe for each one, which will help you order the materials you'll need.
Kim, if you intend to offer a fly swap, I would be glad to participate.
Wapakicedawg, keep track of the flies you believe you might use. Prepare a recipe for each one, which will help you order the materials you'll need.
Kim, if you intend to offer a fly swap, I would be glad to participate.
I will keep you in mind! Thinking about starting off slow and easy and offer an Ark Swap (2X2's). You'll find i like to get creative with the names and keepd the FUN level up. Besides, those getting to know me think that i have a strange sense of humor - and those that truly know me know that I have NO sense at all!!
Kim
Kim
Not sure what an Ark Swap is, but I'm sure you'll explain when you launch it. You're not the only one with a suspect personality. My wife of 57 years refers to me as a strange puppy. I confirm her suspicions that she married a critter.
I finished tying dozens and teaching the Zirdle Bug and Pat's Rubber Legs for the disabled veterans at Project Healing Waters. Now I'm tying dry flies, starting with Ed Story's Crackleback and Elk Hair Caddis.
I finished tying dozens and teaching the Zirdle Bug and Pat's Rubber Legs for the disabled veterans at Project Healing Waters. Now I'm tying dry flies, starting with Ed Story's Crackleback and Elk Hair Caddis.
Love those dry flies! Ever try a Rackelhanen? A nice 1 to 3 material pattern (different colors of poly yarn) and floats like a dream!
The Ark Swap is posted. It involves 2X2 patterns - 2 materials only and 2 minutes to tie. I hope you have fun!
Kim
The Ark Swap is posted. It involves 2X2 patterns - 2 materials only and 2 minutes to tie. I hope you have fun!
Kim