Where to start?

[robmason]

The Katy D and Gary's kind offer to tie some for me has got me thinking about fly tying. The question is how do I start?

Any pointers with regards to books, vices etc.

Thanks, Rob

[robmason]

Is there a diploma at night school?

[tyneandrew]

I here my old school now has fly tying as an after school activity.

Fantastic

[Fruin]

Rob,

I've tied my own flies since I was in primary school and have always enjoyed it. I taught myself, but I would advise others to get instruction, even if it's off an angling friend. Instruction will save you a lot of time by making sure that you have the basics right.

Any vice with strong jaws will get you started. You can pick them up for around £20, and for salmon flies this is fit for purpose.

[jimthefish]

Rob,

Good advice from Springer. I went to night classes 30 years ago & was taught by Mrs Gardiner who was the chief tier for Alex Martin Ltd. at the time. She would not allow you to use a vice in the class & you had to do everything by hand putting in a half hitch every time you wanted to put the hook down to pick up the next bit of material. While I silently cursed her at the time, I blessed her later when I bought my Veniards Salmo vice & found the whole thing unbelievably easy. Her methods may have been a bit extreme but the point is you will pick up so much in a short time with good instruction than by other methods.

[robmason]

Thanks for the pointers chaps, I shall have a look in FF&FT for help first.

[robmason]

I've not yet got off the ground with this tying mallarky. Some of your pics have really inspired me, great looking flies and tubes, thanks for that.

Rather than going back to school as it where (nothing going on around my neck of the woods) I thought I might try and teach myself. So my next question: is there a suitable book for salmon fly tying novices? Or maybe a DVD. Thanks.

[Fruin]

As long as you are fairly handy and dextrous you should have no problem. I am self tought and I am sure most others on the board are.

Best advice for the beginner - most materials can be secured with about three tight turns of thread, and, always leave enough space for the hackle and head of the fly.

[rennie]

Get in there lad and have a go yourself,there is only one way to learn any lesson and thats by getting it wrong a few times.Now is the time to learn just practice, practice and practice.Best tip I can pass on is proportion,learn to tye a patter en in a full range of sizes,a size 12 shouldn't look the same size as a size 6 you tied earlier and a wee 1/2" plastic tube shouldn't look like a 3" brass jobbie.Once you crack proportion believe me the rest is easy,practice on a few simple tubes and if you don't like them cut off the dressing and start again.Buy a good tube fly and then cut it apart bit by bit,see how its tied,photo it if needs be and then copy it until you get it right.Remember Salar is the final judge of your efforts not our fly tying professional peers(no offense intended there,professional fly tying peer I am certainly not),oh and develop your sense of humor it does help.Pedro,(fingers currently lashed and glued to the vice).

[elwyman]

Definitely worth learning to tie flies Rob, a good hobby for the Winter and adds to pleasure of catching a fish.

I've seen Peter Gathercole's book in WH Smiths and it looks good for beginners - treat yoursel for Xmas!

www.amazon.co.uk/Fly-tying-Beginners-Introduction-Techniques-Instructions/dp/1845131185/sr=1-2/qid=1164988846/ref=sr_1_2/026-6997883-4833258?ie=UTF8&s=books

Its sister book has a few popular salmon flies in as well:

www.amazon.co.uk/Fly-tying-Bible-Peter-Gathercole/dp/1854108654/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/026-6997883-4833258

[clydebuilt]

Rob,

There was a guy on another forum who was willing to email Peter Gathercoles Fly Tyers Bible in PDF format.

I have no connection but here is a link to the thread:
www.completefisher.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1444&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=gathercole

Hope this is of some help.

CB

[clydebuilt]

Forgot to add, i'ts the 5th post down

CB

[robmason]

Thanks for the link CB, and all the tips chaps. Will keep you posted about my progress!

[salmonscotty16lb]

maybe cutting your teeth on trout flys would be a option? a simple cats whisker on to buzzers then dry flys. and by spring the ed treble will be in the vice and your first Allys in the making
PS the fish don't judge your hackle or how neat your head is beginners flys can tempt salmon the same as a award winning pattern!
but quality hooks a must

[robmason]

Well thanks for all the tips. I shall be getting started soon, the vice etc just dispatched from Sportfish.

[exerod]

Rob have a look at this thread over on the FFF
www.flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5931
There are some good beginners step by steps at the bottom of the first post, most of them posted by Scotfly, who you will remember as Braveheart... There are even some video clips of the basics, although I doubt the whip finish one will make sense to anyone who has never done it before!

As already suggested start with some singles (a simple hair wing sea trout lure?) as the points on trebles and doubles have a habit of biting the thread and your fingers until you get used to it

Andy

[robmason]

Thanks Andy. They do indeed look good. Braveheart- my mentor

[robmason]

Well, I'm underway! I'm the proud owner of 3 black and peacock spiders.

The above step-by-step for beginners was easy enough to follow, even the whip finish, although tying knots for a living probably helps!

A bit more practice with the basics and I'll be ready for Exerods temple dog- NOT!

[jock]

robmason said:

Well, I'm underway! I'm the proud owner of 3 black and peacock spiders.

Got any names for them yet? ;D

Well done you'll soon be in the fly swap.

[robmason]

Tied a few salmon flies last night, will get your opinion once I figure how to work the new camera

What else could I start with but a Willie Gunn!

Watch this space.