Taking time to tie your flies is a great way to prepare for your next fly-fishing trip. However, figuring out where to start can be daunting for newcomers. It all begins with having the right gear. Even if you know how to tie flies, doing it without the equipment is challenging. If you’re ready to learn the basics, read the guide below to find the essential fly-tying equipment for beginners.
Lamps
Let’s start with something that might surprise newcomers: lamps. When tying flies, having sufficient visibility is crucial to ensure you’re executing each move correctly. Understandably, newcomers assume the ceiling lights in their workshop are fine. However, if you want to take up fly-tying, invest in a bright LED lamp. In doing so, you can enhance your ability to make flies accurate enough to trick the fish. An excellent lamp might not seem important, but once you begin practicing your fly-tying skills, you’ll instantly see how big of a difference better lighting makes.
Scissors
A quality pair of sharp fly-tying scissors is invaluable for obtaining a clean and precise finished product. Primarily, fly-tying scissors are for cutting thread, feathers, and hair. To ensure you can accurately cut these materials, keep an eye on the scissor’s blade.
For instance, serrated blades provide excellent grip when cutting materials, while flat blades provide a bit less control but can still get the job done. Plus, you should consider the length of the scissors. Longer blades will make large cuts, while small blades are ideal for finer cuts, so it comes down to what you’re looking for in the finished fly.
Vises
A vise is the single most essential fly-tying equipment for beginners and pros. However, when perusing the market, you’ll find stationary and rotary fly-tying vises available. Although there are differences between rotary and stationary vises, they work towards the same goal: keeping your hook secure during the fly-tying process.
As a result, take the time to find a fly-tying vise that suits your comfort level. Plus, make sure you have a high-quality vise that can complete its job as advertised. To avoid lackluster vises, stick with reputable brands and vendors. How well your vise suits you plays a role in the accuracy and convenience with which you can execute this task, so choose wisely.
