Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying book

The L.L. Bean classes are only running on Tuesday's.

March 12- Mickey Finn 7:30
March 19- Green Caddis 7:30
March 26- Royal Wulff 7:30

www.pwwtu.com is the local TU chapter. Great place to get involved.


Start with simple ties and advance from there. Don't expect them to look good and keep at it. Youtube is a great place to learn many aspects of tying.

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Best advice you can get! Buy that book, read it cover to cover, and tie your way through it and you will be a better tyer.

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Tim Murphy got this for me as a retirement gift last year although I just started to tie recently. I'm new to tying and at half way through it, I have to say I truly enjoy the book. Very clear and takes you though flies you can actually use. Get this, you won't regret it regardless of which path you chose. Good Luck!

So what type of vise and materials should I look into?

Start off with a cheap vise and upgrade once you are hooked. Materials I would not skimp on. Choose the flies that you want to begin tying (ones that you will actually fish) get a material list for those and then slowly expand.

I have some of the books coming my way that have been recommended.
So what is everyones opinion on buying a starter kiit from l.l.bean or orvis? Is it a good way to get started or should I buy materials for the flies I know that I want to tie and a vise?

No starter kits. Visit a local fly shop and ask for help, be sure to set a budget (doesn't hurt to ask for a discount). Better tools and materials, better service and results.

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Just got this book in the mail today and can't wait to have enough time to sit and read through it. Quick browse showed great photos and clear, step by step, instructions.

O.K. so I have been looking over Craven's book. I know that he recommends a dyna king vise, but I am looking at a c clamp vise from orvis. Its around $40. Is this a good starting place?

yeas,that's a pretty good starting point.

however,cabela's has a vise for 12.99 that is probably just as good,their AA.

you could use the $27 you save on materials,or a whip finisher,hackle pliers,bobbin holder etc.

once again,what flies do you fish the most?

Pheasant tail nymph, cooper john, bwo, red quill, hare's ear nymph, hendrickson

vimeo/you tube tyers show you how to tie fly patterns but most of them do not explain the how what when and why a certain technique is used but a good tying instructor will teach you all of that and more when you take fly tying lessons at your local fly shop. lessons will also shorten the learning curve substantially.

your best bet it taking tying lessons at whatever local fly shop that can accommodate your schedule.

i recommend charlie cravens books and the the fly tyers benchside reference (the bible on techniques)