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