Posted By: new2BC4bass
Looking to start tying flies. - 08/07/21 06:38 PM
I want to start tying a few bass and panfish flies. Don't currently trout fish. Posted first paragraph in the Fly Fishing forum, but figured I'll get more responses here.
I've been researching fly tying vises. I have no place to use a C-clamp so I need a pedestal mount vise. Right now I am looking at the Peak Rotary. Seems to be highly rated in several reviews. I want to eventually be tying flies for bass and panfish. I am open to any other vise suggestions. Would prefer not to spend more than $250 max. Less than $200 is better...thus the Peak. For you guys that have been tying for 30-40 years please do not tell me about $20-$30 vises you are still using.
I'd like advice on two scissors. One for heavier stuff like quills and one for hackle. No need for me to reinvent the wheel when I am sure you guys and/or gals already know of good ones. I've read a ceramic bobbin is easier on the thread for us beginners. I would rather learn to properly use a whip finish tool from the get-go than starting with a half hitch tool.
Hooks. Where to start. I don't know. Just so many available and being a beginner it is absolutely confusing. One of the flies I want to tie for bass is the Cat's Whisker. A fellow member on another forum that is a long time fly fisherman/tier said he uses a "2x-long or 3x-long streamer hook, size 8 or 10 (I use Tiemco 5263)". That makes my life easier....provided that hook is still in production. Feel free to give me hook data for the following flies.
Bass flies I want to start with: Cat's Whisker, Clouser Minnow, Wooly Bugger and some kind of popper. 5th fly?
Panfish flies: Small popper, Ant, McGinty Wet Fly, Black Spider, Clouser Minnow, Zonkers and maybe a nymph of some kind. Okay, maybe more than 5.
At first I want to limit my materials to approximately 10-12 patterns...5 bass...5-7 panfish. KISS (keep it simple stupid).
I see there is a sticky with a list of about 36 Online fly tying suppliers. I prefer not to go thru all 36. Any top 2 or 3 preferences?
Also feel free to hand out tons of advice. Doesn't have to be in this thread. Can send me a PM or email. Thanks a lot in advance.
I've been researching fly tying vises. I have no place to use a C-clamp so I need a pedestal mount vise. Right now I am looking at the Peak Rotary. Seems to be highly rated in several reviews. I want to eventually be tying flies for bass and panfish. I am open to any other vise suggestions. Would prefer not to spend more than $250 max. Less than $200 is better...thus the Peak. For you guys that have been tying for 30-40 years please do not tell me about $20-$30 vises you are still using.
I'd like advice on two scissors. One for heavier stuff like quills and one for hackle. No need for me to reinvent the wheel when I am sure you guys and/or gals already know of good ones. I've read a ceramic bobbin is easier on the thread for us beginners. I would rather learn to properly use a whip finish tool from the get-go than starting with a half hitch tool.
Hooks. Where to start. I don't know. Just so many available and being a beginner it is absolutely confusing. One of the flies I want to tie for bass is the Cat's Whisker. A fellow member on another forum that is a long time fly fisherman/tier said he uses a "2x-long or 3x-long streamer hook, size 8 or 10 (I use Tiemco 5263)". That makes my life easier....provided that hook is still in production. Feel free to give me hook data for the following flies.
Bass flies I want to start with: Cat's Whisker, Clouser Minnow, Wooly Bugger and some kind of popper. 5th fly?
Panfish flies: Small popper, Ant, McGinty Wet Fly, Black Spider, Clouser Minnow, Zonkers and maybe a nymph of some kind. Okay, maybe more than 5.
At first I want to limit my materials to approximately 10-12 patterns...5 bass...5-7 panfish. KISS (keep it simple stupid).
I see there is a sticky with a list of about 36 Online fly tying suppliers. I prefer not to go thru all 36. Any top 2 or 3 preferences?
Also feel free to hand out tons of advice. Doesn't have to be in this thread. Can send me a PM or email. Thanks a lot in advance.