Starting with a fly tying kit is the easiest way to get up and running tying your own flies. Fly tying kits make it easy if you are new to tying your own flies as they include all the gear you need to get started and enough materials for your first flies.
For all enthusiastic fishermen, there comes a point when you realize that you could save a lot of money by tying your own flies. Those little flies seem cheap at first, but they soon add up! If you’re thinking of buying some supplies online, this guide is perfect for you (or as a gift)!
The 5 best fly tying kits that we recommend are:
Image | Product | Details | |
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Scientific Anglers Deluxe Fly Tying Kit |
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Orvis Deluxe Fly Tying Kit |
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Wetfly Deluxe Fly Tying Kit |
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Griffin Odyssey Spider Tying Vise (DIY Kit) |
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Peak Rotary Fly Tying Vise |
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Dr Slick Tool Kit (DIY Kit) |
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Detailed Fly Tying Kit Reviews:
Scientific Anglers Deluxe Fly Tying Kit
Pros
- Organized and Neat
- Can make various flies
- No hidden expenses
- Affordable
- Great starter choice
- DVD Included
Cons
- No whip finisher
- Only black thread is included
The Scientific Anglers Deluxe Kit really does have everything you need to create some excellent flies that will have all the fish biting. From the tools to the best fly tying hooks and superior-quality materials, you’ll find it here. This kit includes a vise, a bobbin, threader, 32 hooks, scissors, hackle pliers, bodkin, wire, fly threads, feathers and more (a great gift!).
Orvis Deluxe Fly Tying Kit
Pros
- Can make up to 160 flies
- Clear DVD for 16 flies
- Easier patterns for beginners
Cons
- Not in the cheap category
Just the Orvis name carries weight in the world of fishermen, and this Orvis kit will not disappoint. You get a great vise, all the necessary tools plus plenty of materials. You’ll also find a brilliant DVD which walks you through all the steps to make 16 different patterns, from beginner to advanced styles. In out opinion the Orvis fly tying kit is the best fly tying kit for beginners.
Wetfly Deluxe Fly Tying Kit
Pros
- Fantastic starter kit
- Very affordable
- Useful case to keep everything together
Cons
- No whip finisher
- Book and DVD could be a little clearer
The Wetfly kit is another of our recommendations for complete tying kits. It provides you with all the materials and tools you need, as well as a book and DVD with helpful, easy-to-follow instructions.
Griffin Odyssey Spider Tying Vise (DIY Kit)
Pros
- Fairly affordable
- Built to last
- Lifetime warranty
- The vise grip is strong
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some nuts can bocome loose
- Won’t find any grooves for different hook gauges on the jaws
The Griffin Odyssey is ideal for beginners just looking to get started. It’s a great addition to your set and comes with a lifetime warranty.[3] The fly tying vise rotates 360 degrees and has a c-clamp and bobbin cradle too. The jaws can handle anything from 28 – 4/0.
Peak Rotary Fly Tying Vise
(DIY Kit)
Pros
- Great value for money
- Strong and hard
- Easy to see flies from all angles
- Lever has smooth movements
Cons
- Short vise stem
If you opt not to go for a complete set and to invest in a few good tools yourself, we recommend the Peak Fishing Vise Rotary Vise.
This rotary Fly tying vise with pedestal base and hardened steel jaws is one of the most perfect on the market. The jaws hold well and the whole model is sturdy and durable, so it will last you a good few years – you’ll get thousands of flies tied with this trusty vise.
Dr Slick Tool Kit (DIY Kit)
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Pros
- Has everything you need
- Built to last
- Case offers great protection for tools
Cons
- Not a budget option
- Low quality bobbin
This nifty little Dr Slick Tool set truly has all the tools that any fly fisher, beginner or pro, could ever need to tie hundreds of top-quality flies. You won’t be disappointed, as this set was the result of dedicated work by avid fly fishermen, who used their experience and expertise to create the ideal tools to make tying your flies as easy as possible.
Not only are these tools a pleasure to use, but they’re extremely durable too, so it’s a safe investment.
What Goes Into a Great Set-Up?
For beginners (or gift givers) it can seem daunting at first! But of course, there are products out there that make it really easy. You’ll find loads of equipment and complete tool kits online. These include everything you need to get started. Here is everything it should contain:
A Vise
A vise will be the most essential component of your tieing equipment. Your vise will hold your hook still and steady, allowing you to tie on it. Some higher-end vises have jaws that rotate, giving you easy access to the fly from all angles.
A Whip Finish Tool
A whip finish tool, while not entirely necessary, is really handy to have in your tool kit. You can use a whip finisher to tie that final knot in your fly neatly – and on the first attempt! Here are some of the best whip finish tool in the market today.
Some Scissors
You’ll need a small pair of the best fly tying scissors to precisely cut your thread, materials and occasionally even wire. It’s good to have a pair just for making flies, so you always know where they are and they don’t become dull from other use.
A Bobbin Holder and Bobbin Wire Loop Tool
Your fishing bobbin holder will hold your thread while you tie, allowing you to control the tension and keep your thread taut at all times. The ideal bobbin holder is adjustable and will never cut your thread right in the middle of tying a fly.
Some Hackle Pliers
Another optional extra, but many anglers rave about how useful and versatile hackle pliers are. Hackle pliers are used to grip onto a feather, allowing you to wrap it around the body of your fake insect and get it in exactly the right position. You can also use them to manipulate other materials and it saves you fumbling between fingers and thumbs. Here are some of the best hackle pliers in the market today.
How to Choose The Right Tools
When comparing supplies online, you’ll find a big difference in the prices. If you’re just starting out (or looking for a perfect gift), you might not want to invest too much, so opt for cheap fly tying materials, entry-level kit. However, if your concern is more about value for money in the longterm, you might want to spend a little more right now to save money replacing cheaper items a few months or years down the line.
Quality
The best tool sets are built to last. If a set looks like it’s made from cheap plastic, give it a miss. You want something sturdy and durable that will last you a good few years – enough time to make hundreds of flies!
Organizer
You’ll want to keep all your tying materials neat, tidy and easy to find. For this reason, it’s important that the material kits you choose has an organizer which keeps everything in its proper place.
Basic Tools
Double check that all the vital tools are included in a kit before you spend your money. How annoying would it be if you discover that your chosen kit doesn’t contain a whip finisher or hackle pliers when you need it to make your flies.
Instructions
When you’re first getting the hang of it, the instructions included in each kit could be the tie-breaker. Some sets from reputable makers include detailed booklets, or better yet, a DVD to guide you on your journey to becoming an expert tyer.
Build Your Own Tying Kit:
Once you become an avid fisherman or woman, you’ll soon notice that the components of the ready-to-go kits that are sold in Walmart or even in shops aren’t always the best quality tools. If you take fishing pretty seriously, you might be tempted to build up your own.
Sure, it’s handy to grab a ready-made kit when you’re a complete beginner. And it can be helpful to try out tying with these cheaper materials if you’re not sure whether you’ll even like tying your own flies. But the difference between a cheap vise and a durable, specialized one is significant.
You might end up spending a bit more when you buy all the tools separately, but you also have the freedom to choose exactly which items to get from the various models available. You can select the model that suits your budget and personalize your kit to your exact needs.
When you’re building up your own kit, you’ll need to buy:
A good place to start is by thinking about the flies you intend on tying, and build up your supplies to create your very own personalized set up. You can make flies with just about anything, there have been a lot of innovations in materials over the past few years, so remember to be creative too [2]. Not everything has to cost a ton of money!
Wrap Up
So there you have your complete guide to fly tying kits. We’ve found the nicest materials out there so that you can save time and get the most for your money.
You can relax, knowing that all our recommended products offer value for money and great quality, while providing you with all the basic tools and instructions you need to get started or looking out for the best fly fishing gifts today..
Now, all you need to do is watch a video or two on how to tie a fly, and you’ll be good to go! As always, feel free to leave me a comment or any questions and I’ll do my best to get back to you.