Wondering what you would get if you had a $150 gift card from orvis? Not that $150 gets you very far there. But I wouldn't look a gift card in the mouth.

I'd love a 3wt rod. The Superfines feel good, but a little too pricey. (I'm liking the Sage launch anyway)

I'm thinking about the fly tying kit... That costs $149, so I would be in under budget. Is this kit worth it? I really want to learn how to tie flies.

Help me out guys.

-Fahrenheit_58

You might do better to piece together a tying kit. Most I've seen are pretty generic with materials that may not include those that you will use or need.

HI,

If you are planning on buying that Sage in the near future, that Orvis gift card would get you a nice Orvis reel. I have a Battenkill Barstock which I like a lot. The Battenkill Mid Arbor also looks like a winner. You would probably have close to enough to get a new Wonderline fly line. That way you would have the neccessary pieces when you pick up your sage.

I agree with the previous post. You'd be better off picking a couple of flies you want to tie and just starting with those materials.

Good Luck

i'd rush over to orvis.com because i think through tonight, you get a free spool with purchase of a battenkill barstock reel. that's what i'd do, even if there wasn't the january deal.

eric
fresno, ca.

I'd agree with Jackster on this one. The Orvis Fly Tying Kit is one of the best if not the best kit on the market. But there are many stuff in the kit that you will probably never use. Better to buy a good vise, scissors, and tools. Then buy the materials you will use to tie the fly that you will actually fish.

I'd suggest you go to your local Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) or Trout Unlimited (TU) afiliated club and take their flytying classes for very little $ or free. You can also take flytying classes at your local flyshop for a bit more $. Either way, they will get you started in the right direction and you'll have a better understanding of what you want.

I'd suggest you take a look at the stuff you've always wanted and buy it. For example, you may want a hydration pack, wading staff, &/or waders. Good-luck!

The thing with the fly tying is, What do I really need as far as tools and materials, I do have an old vice from Grandpa, and some belly button lint, but that's it.

I'd like to start off tying beadhead buggers, nymphs, hoppers, and some stimulator drys. I'll match the hatch later. Any ideas as to what I would need so I can go to the shop with some idea what I should get?

I've been flyfishing for about 7 years, obsessed for the last 3, and intimidated about fly tying since I tried to tie on my first fly, just to the leader!

At $1.50+ a pop, I've lost a lot of flies to the trees and rocks, time to start tying I think.

best,

Fahrenheit

Alright, I'll try to answer your questions. You will want to get a good quality vice, good quality scissors, and a ceramic bobbin. You'll probably want a Materelli to tie off your flies. A good quality vise would be like a Dyna-King Kingfisher or DK-Squire. Or better yet look at the DK-Kingfisher Fly Tying Kit, Dyna-King. I personally like serrated scissors and the Lotus and Terra scissors are high quality at a very reasonable price. You can purchase them at Fort Shockley. In fact you can purchase all the above at Fort Shockley even thought this is not the main item he sells. BTW, I have 5 of his boxes but that's another story.

After you get all the equipment I'd highly recommend you buy the Randall Kauffman Books "Tying Dry Flies" and "Tying Nymphs" for trout waters. As they have the recipes and step-by-step pictorial on how to tie that particular fly. The recipes will tell you what materials you'll need to get in order to tie that particular fly.

Flytying is not that hard. All it takes is patience and practice. With that said, I also got into flytying many years ago to "save $$$" instead of buying flies. Well, I figure I'll have to tie for the next 20 years just to break even! Seriously, don't get into flytying if you think it will save money! You actually may save money in the long run if you buy cheaper quality stuff and materials. But the main reason I tie is because of the satisfaction I get when a fish strikes the fly I tied! Good-luck!

As far as Vises go (other than Tequila ), I have a Regal and a Renzetti, both of which Orvis carries, and I love the Renzetti. There is so many accessories for them, but it will eat up your gift card. I also agree with making up your own kit and getting what you need, instead of what you CAN use. It is also right that you won't save money on tying your own unless you buy alot of materials and hooks at a great price and sell them but, there is still the labor thing, but the advatages is the fly you tied hooking the fish of your life as mentioned also, (and I take my material with me on long trips) tying that one fly that is catching all the fish when you just lost your last one to the breaking of the line.
As far as the rod and reel, I have several Orvis reels (BFR). be aware that they are now made overseas-asian (Korea) along with the Sage Launch. If that doesn't bother you, then may I mention that Orvis also has their Frequent Flyers 7 pc rods (16") on sale for $149. and up. No warranty, but they are a good med/fast to fast rod.
* note: I own overseas car, TV camera, and I am sure a few other things, but, when it comes to Recreational, I choose not to buy Asian-Korean, they get enough of US money. But, that is just me.

The Renzetti Traveller or the new Apprentise run right at $149, I love mine as well. Getting the fiddly bits for tieing is cheap its the $29 shoulders and necks that get ya...

D.

Unless you find some good sales. When we ended up closing the Orvis I worked at we marked the materials down to 60% off and finally at .50 for anything left. Kicked a$$ on that one. Dennis Brakke has really good prices for good stuff (hand picked capes from Whitting) www.theflydesk.com.

Another good place to look for tying supplies if Kauffman's Streamborn(sp?). Do a search. They have some killer fly tying kits and some great instructional manuals. I got thier book on nymph tying and it is great. They package the manuals with some of thier kits.