tools

"Fly Tying Tools"

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Intro: In my opinion the best way to get started is to purchase some basic tools and materials and if you don't want to waste money generally avoid the fly tying kits. If you are serious about fly tying spare no cost with the basic items as you generally get what you pay for. All you really need to get started is a vice, a pair of scissors, a bobbin holder and possibly hackle pliers other tools are extras and can be added later as needed. There are many different variations of all the tools mentioned and it is possible to tie a fly without any of them, including the vice.
It is not my intention to recommend any particular manufacturers tools but just make you aware of some considerations when choosing them, you need to choose the items that suit you.

	The Vice: My own vice has a clamp on the stem, for clamping to a table or shelf, table top vices are not secure enough for me. A good vice should have, A fully rotating head eliminating the need for removing and turning the hook. A long stem giving you plenty of room for rotating the bobbin round the hook. A lever action for releasing and tightening the jaws, most other methods used are less reliable. An adjustable jaw/head angle could also be handy. A good average at price around £15.00 - £20.00	Buy One Today!
	Bobbin holders:There are quite a few different shapes and designs of bobbin holders all based on the same theme. General requirements would be Firmly gripping spring arms which is able to hold the large or small spools tightly. A smooth tube free from any nicks or grooves. Be heavy enough to allow hanging from the hook and not release the tension on an unfinished fly. (This allows you to free both hands for other purposes.) A good average price £2.00 - £4.00 (A luxury ceramic tubed vice is far more expensive, £15.00 or more.)	Buy One Today!
	The scissors:Fly tying scissors generally come in two lengths (3." or 5" approx) and usually have straight or curved blades. In my opinion the length or curvature of the blades are not really an important factor. Be sure to look for Fine points which come together at the tips Large finger holes, you need large finger holes as smaller ones are often difficult and cumbersome to remove from the hand. A good average price £2.00 - £4.00	Buy One Today!
	Hackle Pliers:Hackle pliers such as the ones opposite are relatively cheap and adequate. You can however purchase luxury stem swivel hackle pliers at around £15.00 and they are very good. A good pair would have, Jaws that come together and tightly grip the feathers. Rubber lined jaws grip better. A large finger hole to easy removal from the hand. A good average price £1.50 - £3.00	Buy One Today!