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Putting Together Some Tying Tools


Steve Walker

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I want to start tying my own flies this season. I was tempted by some of the kits available, but the quality is widely criticised. I'm not particularly interested in a kit with materials, because I will buy the materials I need for the particular flies I wish to tie, and I don't want to end up with a box of stuff for flies I don't use. I quite like the idea of a toolkit that comes in its own box or wallet, because otherwise I will end up forever searching my study for lost tools.

 

I'm considering this one:

 

http://www.anglers-lodge.co.uk/product/cat...TOOL_KIT_-_TYER

 

The stonefly one is similarly priced, but I've heard bad things about it.

 

There is also this one:

 

http://www.the-fdg.org/special.htm

 

but it seems to me that for that price with materials and membership those tools must be the very, very cheap ones that come attached to a bit of card. I'd rather spend a bit more and have good quality tools that will be durable and nice to use.

 

I will also need a vice - something in the £50-or-less range, I think.

 

Any ideas?

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I want to start tying my own flies this season. I was tempted by some of the kits available, but the quality is widely criticised. I'm not particularly interested in a kit with materials, because I will buy the materials I need for the particular flies I wish to tie, and I don't want to end up with a box of stuff for flies I don't use. I quite like the idea of a toolkit that comes in its own box or wallet, because otherwise I will end up forever searching my study for lost tools.

 

I'm considering this one:

 

http://www.anglers-lodge.co.uk/product/cat...TOOL_KIT_-_TYER

 

The stonefly one is similarly priced, but I've heard bad things about it.

 

There is also this one:

 

http://www.the-fdg.org/special.htm

 

but it seems to me that for that price with materials and membership those tools must be the very, very cheap ones that come attached to a bit of card. I'd rather spend a bit more and have good quality tools that will be durable and nice to use.

 

I will also need a vice - something in the £50-or-less range, I think.

 

Any ideas?

Personally I would go to a fishing tackle shop and have a look at the quality of the tools as opposed to buying on the internet. I use a lot of my dissecting instruments for fly tying, decent forceps, scissors, mounted seekers etc. Vices well, ensure that they will grip the tiniest of hooks firmly and that they either have a stable base or can be securely clambed to your bench. I have two, a small one for tiny flies and a bigger one for.....well, bigger flies. Cheap bobbin holders can be awful and many have sharp edges that will cut your thread just as you are about to finish tying off :angry: I haven't tried them yet but I have heard good reviews of the ceramic lined ones that are a bit pricy! Oh and I nearly forgot the important bits, a decent magnifier (mines screwed onto a long handle that I can clamp to the bench and position in front of the vice) and a decent adjustable desk lamp!

 

Oh yes, and a little 7mm hot melt glue gun and coloured glue sticks :D

Edited by Worms

Eating wild caught fish is good for my health, reduces food miles and keeps me fit trying to catch them........it's my choice to do it, not yours to stop me!

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Unfortunately, unless Fox starts manufacturing fly tying equipment in camo, my local tackle emporia will not have much to offer :lol:

 

I count myself lucky that one or two of them sell fly fishing tackle at all, but they aren't really specialists.

 

There is an Orvis shop not too far away, but I fear that might involve a taking down of the trousers!

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Is the Reading branch of Sportfish out of bounds? http://www.sportfish.co.uk/about/our-fly-fishing-stores

Eating wild caught fish is good for my health, reduces food miles and keeps me fit trying to catch them........it's my choice to do it, not yours to stop me!

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That's do-able, about an hour's drive from here. Does your local one have more stock than they list on the website?

Yes, it's absolutely stuffed with just about everything (can't speak for the Reading branch though)

Eating wild caught fish is good for my health, reduces food miles and keeps me fit trying to catch them........it's my choice to do it, not yours to stop me!

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The sportfish at Reading does seem to have every concievable material going for fly tying ,Not that i know anything about it but it did seem that it had everything bought some pike flys from there once ages ago and the staff were very helpfull steve.

We are not putting it back it is a lump now put that curry down and go and get the scales

have I told you abouit the cruise control on my Volvo ,,,,,,,bla bla bla Barder rod has it come yet?? and don`t even start me on Chris Lythe :bleh::icecream:

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The sportfish at Reading does seem to have every concievable material going for fly tying ,Not that i know anything about it but it did seem that it had everything bought some pike flys from there once ages ago and the staff were very helpfull steve.

Yes, very helpful in the Herefordshire branch as well and a well laid out shop. Don't forget to check the bargain bin for rods!.......on second thoughts don't.....I don't want to be blamed for you spending all of the housekeeping :D

Eating wild caught fish is good for my health, reduces food miles and keeps me fit trying to catch them........it's my choice to do it, not yours to stop me!

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Two points about tools to add to Worms advice on bobbin holders.

 

1. Make sure your whip-finish tool has a large hook on the end. The thread springs off smaller hooks just as you go to complete the last turn :wallbash: Make sure the hook is smooth at the end so the thread will easily come off when you want it to.

 

2. Get at least two pairs of scissors. A strongish straightbladed pair for cutting rough material (like animal hair, hackle stalks etc), and a pair of sharp VERY fine pointed ones for that final close cut of the tying silk - use those scissors for NOTHING ELSE. Try out all scissors before parting with cash - for comfort as well as cutting ability - scissors in which your thumb keeps getting trapped are an abomination.

 

If fly-tying begins to loom large in your legend, then you will accumulate other scissors, curved blades, bent blades, sprung blades etc as well as all sorts of other gadgets.

 

Rather than buy a "kit" I would suggest buying the tools you think you need and keeping them together in a suitable box or making a custom-built tool wallet yourself (or get some kind person to stitch one up for you :) )

 

 

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