New to fly tying.

[41FanForLife]

Just got some tying equipment and supplies today on sale at Risen Fly. Going to try some San Juan worms, mop flies , and wooly buggers. What are some other good choices for a true beginner? Anyone in Beaver County that ties hanging around here? Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

 

[FollowTheBlueLines]

I’m new to fly tying myself, so far the one fly that hasn’t been a total struggle for me has been a zebra midge. It’s also a good fly to stock up on if you’re gonna be out fishing in the winter months.

 

[PennKev]

Fly. Going to try some San Juan worms, mop flies , and wooly buggers. What are some other good choices for a true beginner?

I would recommend spending time on getting good at the WB's. They'll provide the most learning/experience you can build off of and branch out to other patterns.

 

[hooker-of-men]

Second what PennKev said. I particularly like this recipe for buggers:

Learning them that way will give you experience with a lot of useful techniques: palmering hackle, counter wrapping wire, wrapping lead, securing flash, etc. You could then also play with body materials, add rubber legs, etc. to expand your skills, and at base it will still be a very fishy pattern.

Walt's Worm variations (Sexy Walt's, etc.) are pretty easy as entry level flies. Pat's Rubber legs are also a good starter (and useful during the winter in a two nymph rig, I find). Eggs? They can be trickier than they look to get pretty, but they're good since they only have a few steps. Pheasant tails should come pretty early, but I find them a little harder than above patterns, so a small amount of practice first will help.

Post your progress in the tying thread! It's too slow over there lately.

 

[dc410]

It’s great to see some newer forum members just getting into fly tying. It looks like you have got some nice tools and good materials to get started. I totally agree with the value of the Wooly Bugger as a pattern to learn basic techniques that are absolutely critical to learn in beginning fly tying. Fly tying is a great hobby that can last a lifetime. I’ve been tying now for about 45 years and still enjoy trying new types of patterns and learning new techniques. I wish you the best and I’m really looking forward to seeing some of your ties.

As mentioned above, don’t hesitate to post up photos of your ties in the “What are you tying today” thread over in the Fly Tying Forum. It’s a great place to share your work with other forum flytyers and you may get back some valuable feedback and pick up a few tying tips along the way as you develop your tying skills.

 

[GoldenRfly]

I’m fairly knew too (I tied some bad flies in my youth, but after a few decades gap - I enjoy tying again with great renewed interest).

I’ll second the Walt’s Worm and Zebra Midge posts. Some other ones I find easier (with success at the stream) include Foam Beetles & Ants, Deer Hair Beetles, and Peacock Spiders (which have proven successful with panfish). After tying a few of these flies, I experimented with my own dry fly that worked with both trout and panfish.

I’ve taken two group fly tying classes that were inexpensive and very helpful. Contact your nearest fly shop to see if they offer classes. The other valuable resource has been the internet: there are all kinds of YouTube videos that are amazing and helpful. In addition, I attended the Fly Fishing Festival in Boiling Springs this summer and picked up a lot of tips from the presenters. Keep an eye out for future opportunities like this in your area (if they are available- I’m fortunate that these resources are close to me).

 

[JimNovo]

I’d add to try a Hares Ear and a Pheasant Tail next.

But work on that Bugger and jump in on the next fly swap!

 

[5footfenwick]

Green weenie is easy to tie!

 

[jifigz]

I agree. You should work on mastering the bugger. There are two reasons why: 1) It is a good fly to learn that has a lot of useful skills to make you better. 2). It catches a lot of fish, so you can't go wrong by having lots of them.

 

[salmo]

I’ve never caught a trout on the WB. Honestly

 

[hooker-of-men]

I’ve never caught a trout on the WB. Honestly

Fish it one month from now dead drifted under a bobber.

 

[tomgamber]

I’ve never caught a trout on the WB. Honestly

.my kid resisted for a while. Then caught one on a bugger at the Jam on Spring creek. Cursed it the whole time he was stripping that fish in. 🤣 Probably caught more trout on a bugger than any other fly, hands down.

 

[jifigz]

.my kid resisted for a while. Then caught one on a bugger at the Jam on Spring creek. Cursed it the whole time he was stripping that fish in. 🤣 Probably caught more trout on a bugger than any other fly, hands down.

I couldn't agree more. It's a do-it-all workhorse.... except for acting as a dry that is, but I guess you could.....