Getting Into Fly Tying

[BurghBum]

I have come to the point in my fishing where I feel like a lame ass just buying flies and catching fish. So I am getting into fly tying. I'm going to be going and investing into everything I need. I won't lie, I'm not rich or anything.. so I want to be careful and get some tips from the people who have been tying forever.

If I am just starting out what should I be getting and what patterns should I try out first so that I can learn the basics as well as not waste expensive materials. I am in SW PA.

If there is a website even that is excellent with showing something like a beginners guide to learning how to put thread onto the shank, knots, and other basics that would be excellent as well.

thanks in advanced!

[Troutastic]

Take a class to learn the basic techniques you will need to tie most patterns... Best advise I can give. Ask around at your local fly shop to see when they offer 1 day courses and whatnot.

[BurghBum]

Yeah I'll have to check out a class. I also found this online:
San Juan Worm - TPO Beginner Fly #1

Seems pretty basic. I'm going to go Friday to purchase some gear and try to see if I can get some quick pointers from the owner if his store isn't too busy.

[Adam]

Hey Aaron...where is that article of the dirty dozen flies that you used to recommend.,..I swear it was on here...a good reference for a guy getting started...

and pm me...I hear you have some conflicting information per Belden.

[BurghBum]

[quote author=Adam link=topic=3525.msg26432#msg26432 date=1251904932]
Hey Aaron...where is that article of the dirty dozen flies that you used to recommend.,..I swear it was on here...a good reference for a guy getting started...
[/quote]

That would be awesome, I tried using the search function on the forums but couldn't find what you might be talking about. I'm definitely going to go fishing Friday morning and then pop into the shop and get some gear. Pretty excited to start tying.

[SirJohnny]

BurghBum:

- Where abouts in S.W. Pa are you located? I grew up in Bethel Park and also lived in Greensburg for a number of years.

- Which fly shop are you going to (if you don't mind me asking)?

- Time for a ramble ....

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- I'd definitely recommend nymph fishing, as the dry fly hatches in S.W.Pa are hit or miss. Also, nymphs are a heck of a lot easier to tie than dries.

- Definitely tie up bead headed pheasant tails in size #16. All you need are hooks, copper wire, pheasant tails, silver colored metal beads, peacock herl, and brown thread. I personally use Mustad 94840 (dry fly hooks) as they make a slimmer profile and seem to have better hook catching abilities than say a 9671 or 9672 nymph hook. Here is link to video: Scott's Virtual Fly Box - Beadhead Pheasant Tail

- Also, grab a box of Mustad 94840 #20, and tie up some Al's rats. Will need brown thread and muskrat fur. Here is video link: 2001 - Al Miller Tying Al's Rat

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- The above two patterns are extremely easy to tie. Even if your proportions are off, and even if they look like crap, the fish still love them.

- I'd buy my hooks in boxes of 100 as you will definitely loose flies when nymph fishing.

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- With respect to setup. Grab a spool of 5x tippet. Get someone at the shop to show you how to tie blood knot, so you can properly tie tippet to leader.

- You'll need some #6 & #8 split shot. Grab one of those yellow dispensers that have the four or six sizes of lead split shot. I think they say "Made in France" right on the lid.

- On Laurel Hill Creek (Somerset), Dunbar Creek (Uniontown) you would use two or three #8 split shot about six inches up from the fly. Definitely stick to one fly rigs at first.

- I use Palsa Strike Indicators for my indicator. I used to be a software engineer (Hewlett-Packard), and my eyes are about shot after spending all that time in front of a computer screen. Can't see the line anymore, so I use strike indicators.

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- Anyhow, with the above flies and gear, you should be set.

- My preferred method of nymph fishing is called "dead-drift nymph fishing."

= With dead drift nymph fishing, you want to cast upstream and let the fly drift downstream at EXACTLY the same speed as the current. Meaning, you want the strike indicator to drift at the same speed at the bubbles on the top of the water.

- As soon as the nymph indicator twitches, stops, or does anything unusual ... make your strike. Nine times out of ten, you are on the bottom. However, you'll definitely get lots of surprises (meaning fish).

- Unlike bait fishing, you do not "feel the strike" in rod hand. You have to look at the indicator with this type of fishing. This is one reason why nymph fishing with a fly rod is so much more productive than bait fishing.

- If fishing (say Laurel Hill Creek) where you know there are trout in the pools, or tailouts of pools ... then let your fly drift through 20, 30, or 40 times. Really spend the time fishing each pool/area before moving on.

- The toughest part of nymph fishing (for a beginner), is believing that this system really works. I can tell you from experience, that it really does.

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- Final piece of advice. Hook up with someone who knows how to nymph fish. If you get lucky, and see another nymph fisherman on the stream. Spend some time watching how that person fishes. Perhapes even make a new friend.

- If you can get to Fisherman's Paradise (the shop just outside State College, PA), see if you can jump into one of their all-day nymph fishing classes. This is where I went to learn the basics (back in 1989). Also, hit up Spring Creek and/or Little Juniata if in the area.

- Not many foks nymph fish (especially true before the Czech Nymph technique caught on). Most fly fisherman like to dry fly fish. However, I can tell you that nymph fishing the absolute most productive way of fly fishing.

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- Here is proof that this system works ...

http://www.flyfishersparadise.com/ph...php?f=14&t=730

http://www.flyfishersparadise.com/ph...php?f=14&t=733


- Anyhow, lot's to digest here. Definitely, let us know how you do. Post some pictures if you get a chance.

Tight Lines,

John Coxey
(Syracuse, NY, USA)

[NJFred]

You'll love tying flys It will not only deepen your involvement in the wonderful sport of fly fishing but also greatly improve your fishing. Why improve your fishing? You will learn a lot about fly design and the art of imitation as well as insect behavior.

In my opinion you can definitely teach yourself without going to classes. You need a good book however. If you are pursing trout I would highly recommend Dave Hugues' Trout Flies. It will not only help teach you techniques but explains the different trout flies and why they are tied the way they are. In other words you will learn principals of imitation so that you can come up with your own recipes as you need them to fish your favorite waters. Also there really are a few basic pattern designs you need to learn for example... nymphs, parachutes for duns, CDC emergers for emergers which tied in the right color and size will meet most of your fishing needs.

Dont' buy a beginners kit but do the following...Invest in a somewhat decent vice and a bobbin. In terms of materials...write down your top ten flies you use the most, look up the patterns, and buy the materials to make those. That way you will save the most on buying flies and fish most of what you tie and you'll also get good at tying those patterns because you will tie them in numbers.

Good luck and have fun. Don't be afraid to experiment a bit with your new ideas on design. And put all those flies in your box no matter how bad they might look. Nicely tied flies catch fisherman while some poorly tied ones can be the key to catch fish. (e.g. tricos spinners with extra long wings swept backwards can be the ticket when those little guys fall and get tumbled a bit in the current!)

Good luck and let us know how you do!

[Troutastic]

http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/index.cfm

Awesome tutorials with pictures and step-by-step instructions on how to tie a lot of killer patterns... Click the dropdown link and browse through some of those, pick out a couple that are fairly easy, and go buy the list of materials given.

[LopatNympher]

Look at the June 2009 Fly of the Month, The minute Caddis Larva. Its easy and deadly.

[BurghBum]

Wow, so awesome how many replies I got and information. I am going to have to spend a full night and read/watch everything that was posted back to me. I just got back from my outing and here is what I picked up:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Also, more pics of the day if anyone is interested: http://picasaweb.google.com/turboste...Nq1sre28vuccA#

(I just found this digital camera about 2 weeks ago in my sister's room who is getting married/moved out etc.. so I'm keeping it! I have no idea how you guys are able to take off a fish and get a picture w/out dropping your camera into the stream/losing the fish/not over stressing the fish.. or any combination of those factors.. I tried like 6 times today hahaha!)

Right now I am working on the very basics.. and got the whip finish down pretty well (using the sissy tool!).

Right out of the gate I have one major note:

- It feels like my bobbin is either very tight b/c the arms aren't stretched enough yet.. or the actual rubber ends have too much friction on the spool.. but it is a major pain sometimes and I am breaking off here and there because of it. How can I break it in better? I know the thread shouldn't come out just hanging there with the weight of the bobbin.. but right now it is REALLY tight to get thread out.

Again thanks for all the help and I'll definitely shoot updates.