|
Post by darrellmyskiw on Sept 25, 2003 12:23:58 GMT -6
OK - here I go - let's see if I can get my fat-fingered paws about a itsy-bitsy-teeny-weenie hook & materials I'll be starting to tie this winter - add a touch of .... personalizing, to my fly fishing. First step - get info. I'm heading to pick up a couple books - looking for ideas on those. I've seen the Fly Tying Bible (? - I think thats the name) - looked good, and a few others. Any ideas 2nd step - Tools. Again, searching web sites, I THINK I found what I need. Vice, bobbin, hackle pliers, whip finisher, and dubbing tool. I've looked at these, and figgure I can do some good home-making items on these. Is there any tool I'm missing 3rd step - get tying materials. I know there are some generic materials (glues, threads, etc.). But from what I see, depending what I'm tying, defines what materials to get. I'll pose Q's about these later. 4th step - tie flies. I'll try to tie some myself - then ask for [glow=red,2,300]HELP[/glow] to see how I'm doing. I'd like to try to make the MFFA Tues night mtgs - but that's about clear-across town for me but...you never know hey - I gotta give RB a chase on them RR cats, and RL a chase on William Lake Browns and Smallies - both sound like great fun ;D darrell,
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 25, 2003 13:07:56 GMT -6
1. Info: there is a ton of info on the web probably too much to sift through. But it is out there. 2. Tools : if you truely think you can make your own go for it but without understanding the function and movement...i dunno... For a bodkin you could make one from a wine cork and a sewing needle, a half hitch tool can be replaced with a Bic pen case. But a vise, bobbin, hackle pliers or a whip finisher that would be a big deal. Ya might consider one of those "kits" they usually have all you need (it is how I started) tools, vise, book , materials and hooks. None of them great or horrible. 3. A nice book, great photos you could put it on your coffee table, is "The Art of Fly Tying" part of that hunting and fishing library you see at Wal-Mart or the fishing hole. There are also tons of tying instructions on the net. 4. Before you tie and screem help if you want you can come over to my place (once the water is hard) and i can get you started on some basics and tips over a couple of brews. Your still doing the tying but man i made some stupid mistakes that a few definitions would have stopped. That offer is open to anyone out there BTW. At first the hooks, material etc will seem expensive, decent hackle or jungle cock for example. But the per fly price is well below the best price of off shore or locally tied flies. Plus you can tie flies you see but can't buy , design or modify your own tons of fun. Before we talk about having a warm hobby on a cold night. rb
|
|
|
Post by darrellmyskiw on Sept 25, 2003 13:36:21 GMT -6
the whip finisher might give me the most difficulty - but I have access to ... manufacturing resources that I may not be able to do at home.
As for the pliers, I have some small 'gator type clips with gum jaws, and plain jaws. Not a strong spring in them.
Vice - from what I've see, my idea should work. I'm taking a xacto handle and mounting it into a pen holder base. The xacto handle holds hooks nicely, I just have to modify the base to allow for adjusting the attitude of the handle.
If all else fails, I'll pick up a tool kit. I just like giving my crafts a more personal touch when I make stuff for it myself.
As for info on the web - yeah - more than I can digest - and enuf to confuse a beginner.
Again - I appreciate the offer - can (and likely) will-do. But - until then........
[glow=red,2,300]FISH-ON[/glow]
saw some flakes yesterday (other than the human kind)and hit by some sleet - times-a-wasting
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2003 13:59:56 GMT -6
Hey Guys, I started to learn how to tie flies over a year ago now and I still haven't got the hang of it. My brother bought me a fly tying kit from the fishin hole. I don't think it's the greatest kit but at least it gave me the chance to start tying. I have the book "The Art of Fly Tying" and I use the site "Fly Anglers Online on the internet." I always seem to run into a problem with every fly I tie. I started tying wolly buggers that's all I've really tied so far TEXTand they still don't look very good. I am really good at the whip finish knot but it sure does take a while. I think all I need is some assistance to help point out what I"m doing wrong. Once I get good at tying wolly buggers than I should be able to go from there. Maybe if the three of us got together that would be good. I live in Boissevain but I could easily come into winnipeg because it's been a long time since I"ve been in there and there are many things I could do there. This winter sounds good to me. Let me know if you guys are planning on getting together and we could arrange something. Ryan
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 25, 2003 14:28:46 GMT -6
Even if Darrell is too proud to get help Ryan you can come in and we can see how ''bad'' your ties are. My guess is they ain't that bad but you might be comparing them to the picture perfect samples online and in magazines. If they get you a fish they are okay rb
|
|
|
Post by darrellmyskiw on Sept 25, 2003 14:59:18 GMT -6
call me stubborn, I'm kind-of like that - give it a go myself first you know - if first you don't succeed - read the instructions - I'm king there but don't count me out - I'll need help (wife will likely say I need all the help in the world) Boissevain ... have an uncle over in Deloraine . . . you just never know ;D
|
|
|
Post by RickL on Sept 25, 2003 21:09:19 GMT -6
Just to add my two cents worth - There are a number of tying books at the downtown library. One that I wish I had access to when I started to tie is by Skip Morris. The part I like is where he offers advice on where the tricky bits of the tying are and what to do when it goes wrong!!! I found this to be a good book.
Second, buy actual flytying thread. You will find no end of frustration trying to use sewing thread.(tried it when I started. Bad experience)
Third, as Rob said, don't be concerned about the comparison of the published photos and your own flies. My first efforts were an esthetic disaster. I was too embarassed to actually fish this one awful mess of a fly for years and it remained hidden in the depths of my fly box. As it was one of the first I tied I had a strange sentimental attachment to it. This spring I took a rookie friend out and, horrors, as he searched through the flies, he found it. Worse, he actually tied it on, and promptly caught the best brown of the day. The fish didn't care that it could only remotely be thought of as a Wooly Worm.
An evening get together would be a good way to start. Someone showing you can save hours of that initial frustration of trying to figure out just how you were supposed to do something. We should get together as a group and swap methods and tall tales.
Lastly, its fun. Enjoy the fantasy of the 30" trout you will catch with each and every fly.
Rick L.
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 25, 2003 21:36:03 GMT -6
If it is just a couple of guys we can do it here (my place)or what ever but if we can buddy up experienced tiers with newbies and there is enough we might get a church hall or a class room. But I still recomend those tuesday nights with the MFFA for locals. Who can make the drive. And when you are there tell them about this board...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2003 23:50:42 GMT -6
That sounds good Rob, It would be tough on me to drive into the big city to make every tuesday class. I could make a few but it would still be good to get together amongst our selves even just a couple of guys. The flies I actually get done look pretty good but the thing is I only know how to use a few materials properly so that limits myself to wolly buggers and wolly worms and a few other easy flies that use marabou and chenille and other similar stuff. Hackle and marabou still really frustrate me. They frustrated me to the point that I gave up tying for the summer and put my stuff away but that is probably the worst thing to do. This winter I am going to get it back out and force myself to keep trying even though sometimes I'd like to throw my vice at the wall. That would probably leave a mark or two. I think I'm gonna look into buying that book by skip morris it's callled "Fly Tying Clear and Simple." But even books can't give the advice that one on one lessons can. I am a hands on learner so it's really tough for me to learn by voice or even by a book. Anyways we'll all keep in touch and we'll go from there. Good Fishin. Ryan
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Sept 26, 2003 0:06:47 GMT -6
Darrel ,
A book that I found helpful when I was just starting was the Jack Dennis Western Trout Fly Tying Manual. It shows the step-by-step procedures for a bunch of common flies - from more difficult ones like Muddlers and Parachute Humpies - to easy ones like Woolly Worms and Montana Nymphs. I also have a couple Scientific Angler videos which are pretty good.
I never bought a fly tying kit to begin with but in hindsight I think it is probably an economical thing to do because it gives you a decent selection of materials to start with. (Maybe Ryan can tell you whether or not this is true?) Buying individual packages of materials can be pretty pricey. Beware! Tying your own flies does not necessarily save money! I've probably invested way more in materials than I would have spent in buying flies and probably have more flies than I'll ever use in my life. But it sure is fun...
If you didn't want to get a kit and I had to recommend a few materials to start with I'd go with this:
1. Black and olive marabou 2. Black, olive, and yellow chenille. 3. Black, olive, and grizzly hackle. (Get a hen, Chinese, or Indian cape - not dry fly hackle which can cost an outrageous amount.) With this, you can tie Woolly Buggers, Montana Nymphs, and Woolly Worms to your heart's content. Add in a turkey quill and some natural hare's ear dubbing and you can tie Hare's Ear Nymphs till you drop.
For hooks, maybe some Mustad 9671's or 9672's in sizes 4, 8, and 12. I believe the 9672's are slightly longer and meant for streamers. The 9671's are shorter and are meant for nymphs.
You might find whip finishing easier with just your bare hands. I am someone who is not artistic or craft-oriented at all, but still find tying flies a blast - even though I'm slow as molasses and sometimes it seems like I'm pulling apart and re-tying every 2nd fly before I get it right. But hey, in December, I think it beats ice fishing! With a little practice and some instruction, I think most people can turn out fish-catching flies.
When I was getting started I took a couple lessons with Stu Thompson of the Fishin' Hole. (Is he still there?) That made things SO MUCH easier. I would definitely recommend spending some time with someone whose done it before.
Hope this helps a bit.... Have fun!
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Sept 26, 2003 0:15:15 GMT -6
Ryan,
I think I tied nothing but Woolly Worms until I took a couple lessons. (See above post.) After somebody shows you a few things, you'll probably start to amaze yourself. If you can't make it to Winnipeg, drop a post on the board here and maybe drop by Winkler - not nearly as exciting as the big city - I mean, the town is pretty much dry - but I'll smuggle in some cold ones for the event.
Dale
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2003 11:25:51 GMT -6
Thanks for the offer Dale. Winkler is a little closer than the big city. I've been known to have a cold one or two once in a while. We'll wait and see what everybody decides. I have a friend in Morden I should come visit anyways so if I'm thinking about coming out there I"ll give you a shout on here. It won't be till after the fising season is over. Sometime in the winter will be a good time. As far as I know Stu Thompson only works at the fishin hole about one day every couple of weeks now. He drives a transit bus for the city. I need to get a hold of him because he ties some awesome pike flies and I"ve had excellent success with them. I'm almost out of these flies so I need to get him to tie some more for me. I lost his home phone number so if you or anybody else has it that would be great if you could give it to me. Good Fishin Ryan
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 26, 2003 11:38:00 GMT -6
Does anyone know his email, does he have a computer? He would be an awsome addition here. With his infrequent shifts at the Fishin' Hole i haven't run into him in a long while.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2003 14:58:40 GMT -6
I just know the one he had with the fishin hole but I don't know his personal one if he even has one. He's the only guy I can get these flies from the for that low of a price so I'd like to know it too. Maybe if I phoned the fishin hole they'd give it to me. I couldn't see Stu quitting on bad terms. Who the heck's gonna be his replacement that actually knows something about fly fishing. I could go in there and talk to him and ask him anything and he'd be able to help me no matter what. Oh well we should be able to track him down somehow He could be a great help on here. Good Fishin!!! Ryan
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Sept 26, 2003 18:41:24 GMT -6
Ryan,
Sorry, but I don't have Stu's #, but if you can get a hold of him at the Fishing Hole, he might be another possibility for some introductory fly tying lessons. He's a REAL PRO! When he gave me my first couple lessons, he charged me $50 and it was worth every cent.
|
|
|
Post by RickL on Sept 26, 2003 18:45:59 GMT -6
If we want to get together and need a little larger venue, my classroom at Silver Heights Collegiate would be available. I have a big room with lots of tables which have seen flytying before!!
I also have a lifetime supply of some materials that I would be willing to donate to the cause of those just starting out.
Rick L.
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 26, 2003 20:04:24 GMT -6
Now thats an awsome idea. So the first meeting will be....after ice Guess being in a school we will be drinking regular "pop"
|
|
|
Post by RickL on Sept 26, 2003 22:52:31 GMT -6
The principal and one of the vice principals fish, not flies though, but I think they would upon any other type of refreshment.
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 27, 2003 9:38:57 GMT -6
That was a given Rick When we get close to doing this you should post again on this and we can work out the best day/time.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2003 16:00:51 GMT -6
that sucks maybe I would tie a good fly if I had a couple beers in me. I should try that sometime
|
|
|
Post by flyfisheranonymous on Dec 2, 2003 9:21:44 GMT -6
Hi Guys: This stuff is greek to me but here goes. I know I have been hard to get ahold of but I still work at the hole. If you can't get me there call me at home 257-0115 if you have any questions on fly tying. I work for transit from 3:20pm to 2:30 am. You can call any time between 10:30am and 2:00 pm. If I'm not at home leave a message or try me at the store. I will call you back. I do have a tying course coming up. Dates are Jan. 23, 24, and 25 if required. Call and let me know if you are interested. All the best to everyone. Stu
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Dec 2, 2003 9:35:56 GMT -6
Hey Stu! I'll assume by "greek" you mean "geek" and are talking about computer stuff. Took me a while too bought one (first one) at the end of 2002 so i am coming up on a year of having this thing.... With those hours at the transit it must have left you with (hopefully) more time to fish. We would love to hear about it... Do you have a computer or are you accessing just from work???(you wouldn't be alone in that one). Either way any contribution by you would be awsome. rb
|
|
|
Post by flyfisheranonymous on Dec 3, 2003 9:20:54 GMT -6
Its fly fisher anonymous time! This stuff is still strange to me but maybe I'll get use to it. Robert this is a great forum to get more info on fly fishing. Had a half decent year landing approx. 22 master angler fish. Most were cats and a few carp. I also had a fantastic time at the championships. I think it was a missed opportunity for manitoaba fly fishers. Anyway back to fly tying. If the guys are tying wooly buggers, they can tie an amazing amount of flies. The procedures are the same. The tail is tied in the same way, so is the body. The hackle is actually ribbing. All a person has to do is change the material. How many flies can you now tie? Don't let your imagination stop you. The best fly for me on the river is my Easter Eeg Bugger. Yellow marabou tail, purple crystal chennile body, and yellow hackle. Weight is optional but a large gold bead head works wonders. If any one has any questions on tying don't be a stranger. Call me at home or the store and I will be more than happy to answer them. All the best. Stu
|
|
|
Post by darrellmyskiw on Dec 3, 2003 10:17:52 GMT -6
hey Stu - glad to hear from you.
You might pick up that I'm just starting to tie - and yes - there are quite a number of variations of WW's and WB's to tie. Beads (silver, gold), no beads, and colors from brown, black and olive (for now) - just to get going.
It's great, fun, and frustrating all-in-one.
Thanks for the offers - sooner or later, I just may need to throw some Q's your way.
|
|