Where to find Saltwater Fly Patterns???

[bbjr10]

I am new to fly tying. I have the basic tools and some materials that I have bought. I would like to find a good websiteor book that can explain, and possibly illustrate, saltwater fly patterns. I have not seen many good books that are up to date on saltwater flies.
I have the pattern for clousers. I kind of know about deceivers, but I am unsure about the head and eyes. I would like to know patterns for shrimp or poppers. I will be fishing for everything from snookreds, and tarpon to dolphin and barracuda.
I would like to know what flies are good for what fish. What is the deceiver good for? Clouser? etc...?
Also, what is the best tool for finishing off the thread tying?
Thank you for your time and the great advice that I always get from you all......

Bobby

PS--> I am always looking for ways to improve my casting. Any good sites or books..... Thanks again.

[Quicksilver]

Farrow Allen + Dick Stewart's book "Flies for Saltwater" is a great resource. Any fly fishing website would be good too. Go to a local fly shop. Buy a couple of flies that are supposed to be good and copy them. Start out with those clousers and deceivers. Those two flies will catch a lot of fish.

[David Churbuck]

Not to honk our own home, but we've got a decent library of patterns at
http://www.reel-time.com/pattern/

[Catch22]

If you haven't already done so, take a fly tying class. You will learn so much faster that way than you will by reading a book, although a book can be a great reference tool.

Jeff

[ChrisAkeley]

I'm new to tying as well. I went to a demo at Orvis and it did me a world of good just to watch how someone carrried out the basic techniques. Even if you can't find a 'class' that suits you, just watching and asking questions was a big help for me. Also, I picked up Lefty Kreh's Saltwater Fly Patterns as well as Bob Popovics Pop Fleyes. They're in most fly shops as well as Amazon. Finally, don't get discouraged if the first few come out ugly. They make excellent casting-practice flies if they're too ugly for fishing!

[Bob Parsons]

No no NO those first few attempts are not ugly, not at all. Those are your bluefish flies. I got a lot of bluefish flies

[ChrisAkeley]

Even better!

[bluewatr]

Chris tied you sample today! Will try to put in mail tomorrow!

-mike

[silkfish]

Try Fly Anglers on Line. Eyes I use are presentation lead eyes 3/16 or 7/32.(How fast to sink) I would stick to deceivers, clousers,and charlies or gotcha. look up this site, every thing is there.

[jswegel]

For good fly patterns and excellent instruction on how to use them try Ray Bondereau's book Stripers and Streamers. A small book with a wealth of good info.

[flytyer]

Check out http://www.saltwaterflytying.com. A very good friend of mine (Capt. Greg Rahe), a Key West guide and I set this site up for anyone interested in tying flies for saltwater. It has tutorials, lessons, tips, and numerous patterns with their photos and tying instructions. Hope you find the site informative. Good tying.

[bbjr10]

Thank you all for all of the information that you have given me. Of course it is ALL costing me more and more money every week, it is still fun. I have tried all sorts of new patterns since your replies have been posted.
Thanks again,
Bobby B

[Capt.ChrisLembo]

Pick up Bob Veverka's Innovative Saltwater Flies. It has some of the best photos and an unbelievable collection of flies for all fishing possibilities. The instructions are fairly decent if you have some background.

The only way to learn is practice. I started with a bunch of cheap hooks and materials and tied a mess of flies until I was proficient enough to start working with expensive materials.

Basics to learn:

Learn to tie on and keep the thread flat and even for building symetrical heads.

Learn to tie in hackles straight.

Learn to palmer.

Learn to Hi-Ti (see Bill and Kate Howe's ALF and FPF patterns) Classic Angler's website.

Spinning deer hair is difficult and you need to practice to get it right.

Start with Rhody Flatwings as they are fairly simple formulas.
Sand eels are not difficult.

Learn to build good heads.
After that you can get creative and tie whatever you feel like trying.

[AlderBrookFarm]

Bob's book, Innovative Salt Water Flies is great. I have had it for several years now and love it. My only gripe is that it isn't spiral bound. I think that should be mandatory for flie tying books (and some other types of instruction books too) I also bought Lefty Kreh's book on saltwater flies and it has nice color pics, a picture of a ruler on each plate so you get an idea of scale, and the materials lists. There's a plate on hooks too at the end of the book.