Beginner help!!

[kdog]

I am new to fly tying and wanted some advice on books for beginners. All of the beginning books I have seen in the bookstores tend to show how to tie trout flies.

Also what brands of vises should I be looking at.

Any advice would be great.

[Quicksilver]

Where do you reside? There may be flytying clubs in your neighborhood. I own "Flies for Saltwater", by Stewart and Allen. I also own Lefty's book on saltwater flies. Neither of these books offer much in the way of instruction. There is a book of saltwater flies by Frank Wenzel (spelling?) that I don't own, but which seems to get good reviews. There is a Fly Tyers Benchside Reference which sells for big bucks and is supposed to be one of the definitive works on flytying. With regards to vises, folks here seem to like the Danvise. If someone stole my Regal rotary I would buy an Anvil vise.

[kdog]

I live in Dennis Port and I understand that the Cape Cod Salties may be having a beginners tying class soon.

[skyomish]

Saltwater Edge, Newport. Tuesday evenings. Starts around 6:30 or so. Beginners welcome :-)

[Nauti Buoy]

You can check out a number of web sites for saltwater flies and tying instructions (search via yahoo.com or google.com), and I don't think you can go wrong with Bob Popovics book Pop Fleyes.

I think the Regal vice would be a good choice. It's far from being the most expensive, costs around $135-$150; it's not a true rotary vice, but does rotate; it has a very firm hook grip and can accommodate large saltwater hooks. Can't go wrong with this one!

Enjoy the "sport".

[ruge13]

There are also a number of basic and more advanced patterns with pics and instructions here http://reel-time.com/pattern/pattern-home.php

Keep checking back as we add patterns every week.

For what its worth, depending on your budget, I got a "Rotary Vise" Thats the name, I got it for about $40 at a show, knock off no brand name. Its great for anything I do and a true rotary. Someday maybe I will spring for a better vise but so far I like it.

The Saltwater edge mentioned above also sells the vises mentioned above..
http://www.reel-time.com/fishwire/newcms/sponsorguide.php?regionid=4

If you have the time, they have a free show coming up on Februrary 21st (details on thier site) with tying demos and seminars that will definately be worth a look!!! Bring a notebook and a camera, it will pay off and help get started!

[Quicksilver]

Harry Koons at the Nauset Angler shop in Orleans offers online flytying instruction at his website. You can find the website with a Google search for "Nauset Angler". Joe Branham, a tyer who has had many of his flies show up in flytying books has a fabulous website which offers lots of instruction. I'll pm you the address to Mr. Branham's site. Flytying is not rocket science, but it is certainly a huge advantage to have the benefit of personal instruction at the start of the learning curve. As a youngster one of the most frustrating days of my life was my first attempt at spinning deer hair. I was trying to tie a Muddler Minnow. If you can make it to fly fishing shows you will be able to observe some great tyers.