Fly Tying Tools for Beginner?

[DriftBum]

Alright guys I'm going to need some help in this department.
I am seriously thinking about starting to tie my own flies. It seems like a fun thing to do and I have alot of time on my hands in the winter.

I have fished for steelhead for many years and have always bought the flies that work for me or whatever looks like a good fly, and we all know that is not cheap. But I think its time to start experimenting and maybe get some of that pride a man can get catching a fish with a fly that was tied by himself.

My main interest would by tying stonefly nymphs, caddis nymphs, some glo bugs...ect.

But my downfall is I have never even attempted to tie and know just a little about the tools needed. So this is where I ask for help.

What tools would i need to get started on tying? I have done a little research and the basics are different from alot of articles. So I guess I'll ask this...What are the absolute MUST HAVES for tools. Can a guy get a kit that will do the job for a decent price?

If I can get some opinions on the tools needed I think I can take it from there and get started with alot of books and online walk thrus on HOW to do the tying.

Keep in mind I am a beginner and I dont really want to spend $200 just for a vice to start out. But then again I dont really know the prices of any tools. I gotta get started somewhere so I guess i'll start with the tools and ask for recipes and instuctions later if needed.

Hope to get some helpful replies and thanks for reading!

[speyrod1]

Vice scissors bobbin threader if eyes are bad either a half hitch tool or whip finisher if your cheap take apart a pic pen and use the outter piece as your half hitch tool its pretty basic and your all set
catching a fish on flys you tied priceless

[fontinalis]

Vice- get a quality vice that will hold the hook solid some good names are renseti, regal, thompson. on some of the cheap starter kit vices the hook will slip while you are tying adding much time, wailing and gnashing of teeth to your learning curve
a bobbin to hold the thread
a thin wire will work as a bobbin threader but a real bobbin threader is inexpensive
a quality pair of small scissors-very important
start off tying simple streamers on larger hooks with thick thread ( size A)
then go to glo bugs
Dan at Dan's tackle 773-276-5562 has taught quite a few people how to tie and will answer questions and ship you tools and materials if you need them
there is a great youtube video of Dan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gf3VXq-qp0

[url]
happy tying and enjoy that wonderful lake superior-lake huron north country![/url]

[buckeye17]

I got this for my brother in law from cabelas for christmass because he wanted to get into fly tying:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/ ... t103884480

The tools are good quality and are all you need to get started. The vice that comes with it is also of good quality. Its on sale for $35.99. It's a good place to start. Have fun!

[Marcel DuShrimp]

i started with an orvis tying kit, around $100 i think. most of the tools i still use. i've since updated my vise but it's a good way to get started. it came with a variety of materials and hooks so if you have specific patterns you know you want to tie (it sounds like you do) you should skip the kits. the feathers and fur you get in an entry level kit are not very good.

[MUSKY1014]

i started 6 yrs ago. i got a cheap vice @ a fly tying show that i want to replace. then i got a tool kit from gnder mtn, i' replaced some tools as i got more experience and needed better stuff. i started making egg patterns using glo bug yarn. simple paterns is the way i went, then moved on from there. the egg yarn and the egg hooks are pretty cheap.
i'll tell you what though, the first steelhead i caught on my egg patern
that i tied was just an awesome feeling! i have it in a container so i never use it again. later that night i tied a bunch more. LOL !

[billmiguk]

I recommend starting with a kit like the ones from Gander Mountain or Cabela's. They're inexpensive, come with all the tools you need, and contain a decent selection of materials. You'll be able to decide if tying is for you without investing in hundreds of dollars worth of gear. (As a side note on durability...I'm still using all of my original tools from Gander, even after 8 years...so even though it's cheap, this stuff will hold up.)

[toga]

+1 on the cheap kits to start with. I started my little one with the cheapo kit from bass pro. All of the tools included were fine to learn with. Only things I would recommend outside of the cheap kit is a better pair of scissors, a second thread bobbin, and some head cement.

If you piece together a kit Thompson makes a decent low cost vice. Their model A vice is a great buy. I have been using the same vice for close to 30 years. Thousands of flies later it still holds a hook as it should.