+1 for peak. Regals also seem awesome. I bought a 10 year old orvis tying kit for 20 bucks off craigslist. He even mailed it! It looked like it had never been used. All the materials and tools were there. I would recommend a quick ebay or craigslist search for used/like new kits, but if they aren't there, buy tools, and materials for a few flies you wanna tie. The vice lasted a few months, but I upgraded fairly quickly. I bought the Wolff apex anvil vice bc it was sub 100 and had a ~rotary function. While not a true rotary, I found it soooo helpful to be able to turn the fly as I tied. Eventually I upgraded to the peak rotary and don't see myself changing any time soon. Been tying on it for 2 years and love it. It's a true rotary and it makes a huge difference in workflow and efficiency.
From what I understand Regals are awesome too. Never heard anybody complain. The closest thing to a complaint is that the rotary Regal isn't a true rotary. The jaws seem amazing!
Good luck in your decision. You can tie on anything, so you probably cannot make a wrong decision.
Gregg
On Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 7:17:45 AM UTC-5 joshcc...@gmail.com wrote:
Get the Regal, without the base its less than 200$. I've had mine for 8 years now, no maintenance, no effort, no fuss.
Any old starter kit will do otherwise, a rite bobbin is nice if you're going to be using different size threads/spools.
On Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 3:15:56 PM UTC-5 Jeff Silvan wrote:
I bought a basic fly tying kit from Cabela's over 20 years ago shortly after I started fly fishing. It was the cheapest one I could find since I was on quite a shoestring budget as a kid too young to work. I still use almost every one of the tools from that kit today, although I am a very casual tyer. Cabela's $37 basic fly tying kit (tools/vice only) has everything you need to get started. I have two opinions on the approach: 1. spend as little as possible on a new hobby until you know it'll be one you keep, and 2. if you stick with the hobby enough to want to upgrade your tools, you're likely to do it just as fast regardless of whether you started with garbage quality or medium quality from the beginning.
Ethan,
I re reading your request, you asked about a kit. Orvis has a basic tool and vise tool kit for about $60 that includes a simple stationary vise and a C-clamp to clam toyou table top and the basic tool set for about $60. It includes most of the tools that you would need to get started. They are basic tools but adequate if you are just dipping your toe into the sport. If you are convinced that you want to get into the sport, I would suggest one of the vises that Rob or I mentioned or similar quality. Then Dr Slick has a tool kit to include scissors, bodkin, hackle pliers, whip finisher and some other things for about $50 and Loon has one for about $60 that would be a better quality of all the tools included. Any of them would get you started with a good set of tools.
Kevin
On 11/12/2020 1:54 PM, Kevin Brugman wrote:
Ethan,
Far be from me to contradict Rob on quality items. And for a professional fly tyer like his self his list of items is outstanding. However, for us mere mortals, there are a few changes I would suggest:
First is the vise: Regal vises at premium quality vises and will last a lifetime of heavy heavy use, however they are expensive and overkill for many of us. For a quality rotary vise, a Peak vise is used my many professionals and Fly Tyer magazine just came out with a review of affordable vises and listed it as a best buy. For the record, I have a Peak and am very happy with it.
For Head cement, If you do not want to go directly to UV resins, a bottle of Sally Hanson clear "Hard as Nails" fingernail polish has been used by fly tyers the world over for decades and is 1/10th the cost when you factor in a UV light. As you expand your tying skills, you can use various colors of finger nail polishes in your fly tying.
For Thread, if you are tying bass and panfish flies, I would also consider using 3/0 thread. It is stronger, is better for foam bugs and you will break it less as you learn line control. To start with get a spool of black and a spool of white. (Quick note: for the x/0 measurements the smaller the x the heavier the thread, for denier measurements, the bigger the number, the heavier the thread.)
Scissors: Lots of good brands, even good old Fiskars are good. Depending on how many flies you tie, they will get dull. Keep 2 sets of scissors, one old dull set for cutting hair, foam, feather quills, wire, etc and a newer sharper set for cutting thread, trimming feathers, etc. Do not let your children or spouse use use the sharp ones for their home craft projects!
Bobbins: There are some really expensive bobbins out there, and they are probably really good. But a quality $10 bobbin will last a long time.
This is my two cents worth
Kevin
On 11/12/2020 12:40 PM, Rob Snowhite wrote:
I have been tying most of my life and have loads of things I use and don't use. These are my current favorites.
- Scissors - My current favorite scissors are by Pat Cohen. I like Loon too but the tips never line up and they will easily bend. Pat's scissors will last generations.
- Regal vise - pedestal
- Bobbin - Griffen and Rite.
- Thread - Uni 6/0 or Danville 210 denier
- Bodkin - I use a dental pick from Bay
- Epoxy/resins/head cement - Solar Ez
- Magnets - old Orvis name tags. I use a lot of magnets on my vise to hold tools and materials
I can set up a TPFR loaner tying kit of tools and materials if you want to drive out to Fairfax. I don't think we'll be back at Whitlows anytime soon.
Hi All,
Picking up this thread because I'd like to get started tying my own flies this winter, and have been looking at the many of the various entry-level fly vise + tool sets on the market. I'd like to try things out to make sure I enjoy it and gain a bit of experience before I level up to a more serious vise and set of tools.
Do folks in the group have recommendations of which beginner set has the highest quality tools for the price?
Alternatively, does anyone have a vise and tools that you no longer use sitting around and would be willing to sell?
Thanks,
Ethan
On Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 9:38:36 PM UTC-4 Jamie Carracher wrote:
I also agree with the comment about buying supplies based on the patterns you want to tie. Its easier that way to get the hang of it. Another thing I'd suggest is not skimping on the material quality. I personally buy everything at District Angling. But I did buy some bugger maribou at a cheap place in Ohio out of curiosity and the quality was terrible. It was super stringy and the action in the water was horrible.
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