New to tying

[salmondan]

Well I've taken the plunge and had a go at tying my first ever fly, lordy! What a mess. Apart from the fact that it took me nearly two and a half hours and looks nothing like it should (I followed Graham's silver ally (step-by-step thread) and had to make do with the materials and colours I had available, mainly yellow instead of orange and on a no6 treble ) I had tremendous fun. I do so enjoy making a mess .

If I was feeling really charitable and wanted to give you all proper belly laughs for the next few years I'd post a pic but I'll wait until I've tied something that doesn't look like a comedy fly.

Anyone got any tips for the easiest fly to tie for first timers? Or just general technique tips that most of you guys take for granted?

Cheers, Dan.

[ibrox]

Hi Dan

When I first started tying flies, I started on big single hooks size 6. Just to get used to it. Start with something simple like a Stoat's Tail. I am sure there are more experienced tyers on this site but it just comes with practice. If your not happy with a fly strip it and start again. When I started I was using anything to tie for example the living room carpet and the even the dogs hair. I have now progressed to my own room and hundreds of pounds worth of fluff, feather and hair which does the wife's head in. Just persevere and trust your instincts.

There is nothing better than catching a fish on your own fly.

So keep it up!

ATB Mike

[exerod]

Have a look at this thread over on the FFF
www.flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5931
It is more about trout flies but many of the techniques are the same for salmon flies. There are some good beginners step by steps at the bottom of the first post, there are even some video clips of the basics.

Andy

[macd]

dan, keep practicing from the step by steps- it will soon come right.

For dressed flies I would have a shrimp fly as shown by easky and graham and a hairwing- stoats tail, hairy mary etc. these are the basic styles ie. the ally's goes nicely on a tube in spring or back end. The stoat can work wonders on a wee plastic tube.

R

[tayspringer]

Dan

When tying a fly no matter the size or hook design. One of the most important things to be aware of the proportion of the shank/body that is to be dressed. I was told that the body should be divided in thirds. When tying a fly say the ally shrimp for example. You have the body, plus, GP tippet, wing and hackle. a lot of people try to dress the fly right to the eye. Never do this. When doing your body be aware of the other parts such as wings and hackles. You need to leave space for these. As a general rule, I stop the body approximately 1 - 2 cm from the eye (depending upon the hook size) so that this space is filled with the wing and hackle. As you will know you wind the hackle so it will fill the space. When it comes to hackles. I tend to like a fly that has a lot of movement so I take my hackle and line it up to the shank at the eye. The tips of the hackle should roughly touching the point of the hook. i do sometimes take the tips to the bend in the hook for that bit more movement on some patterns. Try not to over dress your flies. when adding a hackle 2 or 3 turns is usually enough. I like to be able to see the body through the completed fly. also an over dressed fly will float where a finer dressed fly will sink faster.

Do not be embarrassed about your first effort. Any tyer who says they have never had a disaster is a lier!! Practice makes perfect. I learned from my mistakes and now I would say I am no bad. With Hair wings I tend to match the wing to just past the bed in the hooks. Basically the hair should cover the hooks and go just beyond them.

I have attached a picture of one of my flies to give you an idea how I tie mine.



I hope this helps. why not stick a picture on and I am sure some of the guys would give you a critique. Remember we have all been there.

Regards

[stu47]

Start simple with maybe just a body and a hackle,gradually adding other things when you can do this easy, you can always take them apart and use the hooks again when you get a bit more adventuress.I started with trout flies and learnt with simple spider patterns,worked on from there,still make plenty of disasters

[lomond]

Salmondan, just practice, practice, practice. Read all the mags (T&S, FFFT etc), get some books & videos on flytying. Start with simple flies (stoats tales, hairwings etc). Also if there are fly tying classes in your area, go along to these. It's great fun and a good feeling when you catch one on your own fly.

Tayspringer, nice fly ! (need to wear shades when viewing though !

[salmondan]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been shopping today so now have plenty (hopefully) of stuff to be going at. There's no time like the present, got me vice , got me specs , got me Glenlivet , I'll post a pic early next week when I've sobered up enough to avoid shaky hand syndrome;).

[salmondan]

Ok chaps, here it is, go easy on me, it's only the second ever fly I've tied, and I was full of Glenlivet by the time I'd finished ;D. Only 1 and a half hours this time though






I've a feeling that I've gone too close to the eye and that the "tail" is too long but apart from that, where else am I going wrong? Camera work I know about BTW, I'll take the next one in daylight.

It's supposed to be a copy of Graham's silver ally (on the step-by-step) but on a Kamasan No 8.

Dan.

[elwyman]

Looks pretty good to me Dan - perhaps the tail is slightly too long and the bucktail fibres seem to have splayed out, but it will probably catch a fish!

[DAZ]

Thats a superb effort for second go

A very well done to you.

DAZ.

[hardygem]

Well done,that will catch a fish it's not easy getting started you just have to keep trying .laying of the glenlivet a wee bit might help slightly or not (maybe not eh) ;D ;D ;D

[ibrox]

Nice one Dan . Will u be giving it a swim on the Annan tuesday ?

The tail does look a bit splayed but it won't matter when its in the water.

Keep up the good work.

See you on the Annan

Mike ;D

[easky]

salmondan said:

Ok chaps, here it is, go easy on me, it's only the second ever fly I've tied, and I was full of Glenlivet by the time I'd finished ;D. Only 1 and a half hours this time though






I've a feeling that I've gone too close to the eye and that the "tail" is too long but apart from that, where else am I going wrong? Camera work I know about BTW, I'll take the next one in daylight.

It's supposed to be a copy of Graham's silver ally (on the step-by-step) but on a Kamasan No 8.

Dan.

that's a great second effort Dan, it will certainly be a fish catcher See if there are any night classes in your area as this will be a big help, also see if there are any fishing fairs as they will usually have fly tying demos which are a great way to learn and pick up tips

[salmondan]

Thanks for your comments gents. Night classes sound a good idea. Laying off the single malts, not such a good idea . Who knows what might get invented when I get a bit more confident! I'll follow a few more step-by-steps and post pics for criticism. Once I'm a bit more fluent, I'll have a go at tayspringer's fly shown above. BTW, what part of the season would you use that one for tayspringer?

AA, yeah it'll be having a swim on tuesday, pm sent

[sewinangler]

Salmondan,

I'd be pleased with that fly!

For some hints and tips and videos of flytying, have a look at the following site:

www.gwentanglingsociety.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=5&id=23&Itemid=37

Hopefully, you'll find it of some use.

[potbelly]

Excellent, it's better than the one I just tried, I ran out of room and it ended up with a head like 'cousin it'.

[salmondan]

potbelly said:

I ran out of room and it ended up with a head like 'cousin it'.

said the bishop to the actress! ;D

Thanks sewinangler, quality site from what I've seen so far, that will definitely help.

Cheers, Dan.

[mikeyny]

Looks like a keeper to me , save the first one you tied and look at it in years from now and you will be amazed at how much better you got

you dont even have to wait for years , look back in a few months