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Post by Qwek on Mar 22, 2005 9:01:08 GMT 8
Now that you have picked up flyfishing, you will at one point start trying to tie your own flies. Some tie their own to improve their favourite patterns or simply pick it as a hobby. You be surprise that some of these folks do not flyfish at all.
A couple of years back, while waiting for a friend to show up for flyfishing, I went thru my flybox. An aunty sat down beside me with her grandchild and started to comment on my flies! How surprised I was, she could describe each fly and how I should have tied them. She doesn't know the exact name for each flies but by number. She was one of the early tiers hired by Mustad in Jurong for it's fly-factory. most of my flies then were over wrapped. Production flies, as she called them are tied conservatively. That short time with her, I picked a lot of information and knowledge even from one who doesn't fished at all.
So the moral of the story... ;D you don't have to be a flyfisherman or woman to be able to tie flies. Just an interest, and like art, with a creative thinking. We all started at a point or another, so don't be discouraged if someone who claimed to be an expert, comments that your fly is not natural or the colours are wrong. We all learn as we go along, some of the seasoned tyers are still learning. If you think you have learned enough then you have learned nothing.
Back to flytying... I can say that it is easier to pick up flytying now than a few years ago. Flytying equipment and materials are available at our local tackle shops, and at Coho Fishing Tackle, you will find a wider range of product to suit your budget. Coho also conduct free flytying lessons on the last Friday of every months, sometime they do have guest tyer from overseas, like Shawn West. Who was in town recently to share with us how to tie Dalhberg Diver and also the the finer point of flytying. Do make a trip down on that Fridays, but you can also pop in anytime, I'm sure Michael and Henry are always willing to share with you the basic of flytying.
To many of us, there is greater satisfaction in catching fish with flies you tied yourself. You can always buy your flies, but in the long run, it is cheaper and more fun too. In flytying, do not limits your flies to certain species. With the correct lines and flies you can catch fish at any column of water, be it surface or bottom.
Don't be put off by the complexity of flytying. Everyone starts somewhere, and your first attempts may be terrible. But that very first fly you tied can catch fish!
So let's get started... eh I'll be back in a while. Just hold that cow, I meant thought till I come back. I promise. Meanwhile, get that ATM or credit card ready... ;D
Cheers
Qwek
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Post by Qwek on Mar 23, 2005 21:47:10 GMT 8
Today, flytyers have a wider range and choice of flytying equipment and materials, and of course more patterns too. New tools, materials and patterns are costantly being developed, and we have keep up to these changes as well.
To start flytying, we need a few common or should we say basic tool and materials. There are many tools and materials available todays that I have yet to come across or try, let alone the constantly innovative fly patterns that are appearing in todays flyfishing and flytying magazines. It will take me ages to name or collate all of them, they are easily available on the internet and prints. Check out the links in this section for references.
The tools and materials that we will discussed are just a general guide, no hard and fast rule on what should be used or followed. Flytying is also an artform the hook as your canvas, this is where you are the master creator. Here you can play God. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things on your own. Who knows, you may create a new pattern that change the way we tie or fish for that matters.
So to begin with, we need a basic flytying kit. This consist of the most important tools of the trade; the vise, bobbin, scissors, dubbing needle and the optional tools such as the hackle pliers, whip-finish tool, hair stacker and the dubbing twister. While it not important at this stage to name all the tools here, they will helps made certain aspects of flytying much easier and of course produce neat, well tied flies more achievable. Before we go into the materials, let us look at some of the tools listed:
1) VISE: The most important tool in any flytying kit is the vise that holds the hook during the tying process.Vises are available in shape and sizes, but they should have a simple and sturdy grip that holds a range of hooks. Some come with a choice of jaws to hold various sizes of hooks, such as for small hooks and the other for big hooks. Choose a vise that suit your needs, and of course budget. Some come in table-top model with it own base, some come with clamp and some models come with both a base and clamp for you to choose. They sure know how to spoilt us, they even have one that you can screw onto to a wooden surface. Ever see a hand vise, there a couple available at our friendly local flyshop.
2) BOBBIN: The bobbin hold your thread and keep it under constant tension. Also, the weight of the bobbin and the thread spool help to prevent the thread from unravelling from the hook. Like the vise, it too come in various designs, there even an automative bobbin thats retreive exposed thread back onto the spool.
3) SCISSORS: Some tyers keep their scissor in their hand at all time while tying flies. Then they don't have to look for it under the pile of materials, smart huh. It is an important tool, it must have sharp blades and small enough for small hooks. Try to have another pair of scissors for rough use, such as cutting leather strips, feather stalks and other tough materials.
4) DUBBING NEEDLE: This simple tool has a number of uses, teasing out hackle, dubbings, splitting wings and also for applying cement to fly and materials. It can a big sewing needle with a handle or a small spike. I use a dubbing needle with a metal handle that has a tapered hollow end for tying half hitches.
5) HACKLE PLIER: Hackle plier are used to grip the hackle tip of a feather while it is wound around the hook. I uses several sizes of pliers, the larger ones to hold back foam or polar fibre while applying epoxy or cement. It can be used as an additional hand, be creative.
6) WHIP FINISHER: This allows you to tie a knot quickly and for securing the thread at the head of the fly. Some experienced tyers just uses their fingers to whip finish. It take practise to use this tool or tie off using your fingers.
The above is not the entire list, there are other tools equally important as well. We will get to them as we go along and introduce them just like the flytyer Hot Point or cautery cutter. You can buy these tools separately or as a starter kit for less than $50. OK, let's see those plastic cards!;D Some of our local tackle shops sell the beginer pack which may include the tools and materials as well. Do shop around and do not be afraid to ask for a demonstration. If possible buy from a shop that can provide free tuition on flytying.
To be cont...
Cheers
Qwek
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Post by Qwek on Mar 25, 2005 23:59:10 GMT 8
With flytying materials, the tyers can let his imagination run wild. It has been said that there is no materials on earth that hasn’t been tie to a hook for catching fish. And that statement is not far stretched either. Human hair and leather was properly used in the early days. Any materials that is easily handled and trimmed have been in one form or another to imitate one life form or another.
Fur from every animal from polar bear to a rabbit or fox, feathers from every bird in the sky or running around on the ground. Rubbers from balloon, even condom to every material we can find in our household have been used too.
With the conservation of wildlife, a lot of materials have been duplicated to prevent the extinction of endangered animals. A lot of animals and birds have been bred specially for the purpose of flytying materials.
Today flytyers used a wider range of materials than those available at the turn of the century, the 19th that is. Polar fibre was not invented then, was it? Let’s take a look at some of the common materials that are used today.
1) BODY MATERIALS: As we have mentioned before it would be impossible to mentioned all that are available for the flytyers just like the equipment used. But the most common body materials are the fur, herl, quill, yarns, foam and many others.
2) CHENILLE: Chenille is available across the color spectrum and materials. It can be used by itself or with a combination of colours to represent certain insect or baitfish.
3) HERLS: The most popular herl is the peacock herl, it is used for dry flies, wet flies and even salthingyer patterns like the ever popular Lefty Deceiver. Others source of herl are Turkey, Goose and duck, Ostrich and Emu plume.
4) QUILLS: Beside peacock quill, goose or swan are used. Most of them can be dyed for specific use. Turkey quill are obtained from the primary and secondary wing feather. Porcupine quill produce smooth, buoyant, ivory-white bodies, but it is easily available here.
5) MARABOU: Turkey is raised for to produce long fibre and fluffy feather. Used on poppers, divers and steamers.
6) FURS: There is no animal’s furs that hasn’t been used. Most furs can dyed easily even by the tyers themselves. Sometimes it just too expensive to buy all the colours available. Some of the animals used are the rabbits, deer, elks, badgers, foxes and most of them are farm raised for this purpose.
7) HACKLES: The hackles on dry flies help to keep the flies afloat and they also imitate legs of an insect. Used on streamers both fresh and salthingyer stimulate pulsating gills of a fish.
8) HELLO KITTY: It was said that the Crazy Charlie was created in the back of a taxi, clump of carpet fibre was snipped off and tied onto a hook and the rest is history. Sure do something creative, go brush down your pet’s coat and see what you have. But be on the lookout for your local PETA activitist.
The list goes on, there no end or limitation to what you can use for your flies. Let your imagination run wild.
Do add on what you think or have used a material that is not the norm.
To be continued…
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Post by alberto on Oct 10, 2005 17:30:07 GMT 8
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Post by mtshark on Oct 10, 2005 22:04:28 GMT 8
I started tying flies using a few different vises that are make in India as they are affordable. First one I bought is from someone who imports and sells them on ebay, It is usable but very rough and not so good workmanship and finishing. Then as time pass, vises from India have better improve models and I immediately aquired one. But then, when I went to Coho I watch Henry tied flies and I tried the vise and I find much easier to use with smooth rotary. So I painfull bought myself the Renzetti vise. After that I gave away all my Indian vises. Its so different , light and smooth. May suggested to beginners, try to save some money and go straight and buy the Renzetti as you dun have to waste time and money like me changing from vise to vise. It will be to first and last vise you ever buy, believe me! ;D  I agree. Get a Renzetti's and you will not regret.  |
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Post by Qwek on Oct 11, 2005 9:41:53 GMT 8
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Post by Qwek on Oct 11, 2005 9:48:48 GMT 8
Hi Alberto, Thanks for the links on the vises and tying tools, great links. Here are conparisons done by Hans Weilenmann & Bruce Salzburg: www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwvise/index.html on how to select a vise. Cheers Qwek |
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Post by xxJiMboZxx on Oct 11, 2005 11:04:02 GMT 8
;D Hi guys, what Qwek said is right, as this thread is a guide for those who are beginners into tying flies and we sort of, got carried away on which vise is better. So I have removed all my post so we can keep this thread free from trash arguments! Sorry Qwek.  |
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Fishing sucks? Try Flyfishing! ;D