| In many parts of the world, fly fishing is | | | | replace them sooner rather than later. Better |
| continues to be an active sport at this time | | | | to purchase a small quantity of the only the |
| of the year. There are some places like where | | | | absolute necessary tools than to economize by |
| I live that fly fishing is just about | | | | acquiring lots of different gadgets for the |
| finished until April or May. Nothing is | | | | same money. |
| hatching on the water, and unless one is | | | | |
| using streamer type immitations and is lucky | | | | A good pair of scissors is a must for the fly |
| enough to have a salmon river nearby, the fly | | | | tier. This is definitely one item where you |
| rods are being carefully stored. | | | | do not want to skimp on quality. A good pair |
| | | | must have excellent steel that retains its |
| That does not mean however that all thoughts | | | | edge and blades should taper to a very fine |
| of fly fishing have disapeared! In fact, this | | | | point. Your first pair should be about 4 |
| is a great time to take a look at what flies | | | | inches in length. This will do for most |
| still remain in your boxes, which ones need | | | | applications, although when you plan on tying |
| to be replenished, remember what patterns | | | | larger salmon and streamer flies or other |
| worked really well for you, and perhaps | | | | bigger patterns, a longer pair will be |
| consider some flies that you have just | | | | useful, and of course, a smaller pair for |
| recently discovered. | | | | tiny flies. You will be using your scissors |
| | | | very often - many fly tyers prefer to keep |
| There certainly is an abundance of resources | | | | their scissors in hand at all times while |
| available, regardless of your skill level. | | | | tying, so you will also want to ensure that |
| Whether you require sources for materials, | | | | they are comfortable and easy to maneuver |
| tying patterns, or tips, the Internet is a | | | | while your finger grasps them through their |
| valuable resource. Many beginners often | | | | handle. |
| wonder what they should purchase to get | | | | |
| started in fly tying. There are a number of | | | | Hackle Pliers are another important tool for |
| different fly tying kits that are available | | | | the fly tyer. Designed to hold feathers, |
| like the ones from the Flyfishing Mall On | | | | tinsel and other material that you will use |
| Line however, kits can often provide poor | | | | to create your flies, it is important to |
| quality tools. Naturally, you can spend as | | | | purchase pliers that grip well. They are made |
| much as you want on excellent quality tools, | | | | to remain closed without pressure and to open |
| (take a look at this Renzetti Master Series | | | | when pressed. Some models are rotating. This |
| vice) and a beginner should consider the | | | | can be a helpful feature but is not necessary |
| trade off between spending a little more now | | | | to tying great flies. |
| and having equipment that will last a long | | | | |
| time with the possibility though that | | | | Hackle guages are important especially if you |
| interest will wane, or, purchasing lesser | | | | want to ensure that the size of hackle you |
| quality in order to save money on start up | | | | use is right for the myriad of sizes hooks |
| costs and investing in better tools as | | | | that you will probably collect. Many of them |
| experience grows. | | | | are made to fit around the stem of your vice, |
| | | | keeping it always handy. |
| An essential tool if you want to tie flies is | | | | |
| a vice. Fly tying vices are available in a | | | | You also need to have some method for keeping |
| wide variety of models, sizes and options. | | | | tension on your thread. Many times, you will |
| Essentially what a vice does is hold a hook | | | | wrap several turns of thread around your |
| between its jaws securely to allow the fly | | | | material and hook, then be required to stop |
| tyer to wrap thread, tie in feather and fur, | | | | your wrap while you prepare other material |
| or whatever other material is needed to make | | | | such as tinsel, feather, fur or whatever else |
| a fly. | | | | you will use to make your flie, for tying |
| | | | onto the hook. A bobbin is a great tool for |
| The vice you purchase will ultimately depend | | | | the this very purpose. Again though, a good |
| upon your finances, however, it is vital that | | | | bobbin will be easy to use, of a size that is |
| a vice has high quality jaws that will hold a | | | | comfortable for you, and the tube in which |
| hook securely. Other options such as a base | | | | the thread runs through will be of high |
| or clamp will depend upon your own | | | | quality metal or ceramic to ensure your |
| preferences and where you will by doing your | | | | thread does not fray. In lieu of a bobbin if |
| tying. A vice with a clamp allows you to | | | | you want to save money, you can set up your |
| secure the vice to the edge of any table type | | | | fly tying area with a rubber button screwed |
| surface, but some prefer their vice to come | | | | into the side of your table. When you need to |
| with a sturdy base of its own. | | | | keep tension on your thread while your hands |
| | | | are busy doing other things, you simply wrap |
| If you fill your fly box with your flies you | | | | the length of thread that is extending from |
| have tied yourself, you know that a vice is | | | | your hook a time or two around it, and you |
| one of the most important tools you need. | | | | have enough tension to hold your work. |
| Last week, we looked at sources for a variety | | | | Considering though that a half decent bobbin |
| of vices but of course, there are other items | | | | need not cost you more than $13.00, its |
| that are required for tying your own flies. | | | | probably worth the money and is easier to |
| If you are a beginner, or are thinking about | | | | work with. |
| fly tying, what are the other tools that are | | | | |
| necessary? | | | | You should also have some sort of tool |
| | | | similar to a hat pin, with a pointed end. |
| You can spend a lot of money on a variety of | | | | This tool will become invaluable to you for |
| helpful tools and gadgets for fly tying. Not | | | | many things, but especially for removing |
| all of them are absolutely necessary for the | | | | cement from the hook eyes of finished flies |
| beginner. In fact, an excellent fly tyer is | | | | and for removing dubbing bodies. You can also |
| capable of high quality tied flies with a | | | | use the smooth side of such a tool for |
| minimum of equipment. In a sense, it is | | | | burnishing your thread wraps, making them lay |
| similar to woodworking - you can provide a | | | | smooth, or pushing material slightly so it |
| vast array of woodworking tools to a lousy | | | | fits just where you want it to on your hook. |
| carpenter. Regardless of the cost or number, | | | | |
| he will still build poor furniture. A skilled | | | | There are a number of other tools that you |
| craftsman can create a piece that will become | | | | can purchase for fly tying, however, the |
| an heirloom with simple tools and his own | | | | above are the most needed and with them you |
| skill and ability. | | | | can tie beautiful and correct patterns with |
| | | | practice. You may want to consider other |
| One important consideration when choosing | | | | tools later as your experience increases but |
| tying tools is the quality. Poor quality | | | | for now, master the use of these basic ones |
| tools will only discourage the beginner and | | | | and develop your skills. |
| cause greater expense with the need to | | | | |