Getting Started in Fly Tying (for under $50) 

Beware! About 3 years ago I decided I’d try to tie a fly on an old vice I inherited. Ordered a beginner pack of material online (mostly feathers), then later realized I needed tools, so got online, Dr Slick kit. Then realized I needed thread 🤨. A little frustrated I mumbled something out loud and was about to get online and my wife who works at a bank says..why don’t you just go to the Flyshop in town. WHAT? 😳 There’s no shop here!...Sure there is, Country Flyfisher Shop he has a store behind his house, comes to the bank every week, I figured you knew about it. I absolutely couldn’t believe it. Great little shop and a wonderful man that owns it. He’s 87 and doesn’t fish much anymore but his knowledge is off the charts. We are best friends now. What started out as a Wooly Bugger has almost turned into a flyshop worth of material (and 7 flyrods..so far) in my own home over the years, and my wife is wondering if she’ll ever get her dining room back. No! 😂 Thats a great video! Thanks for all you do to help us Matt! Hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th of July weekend! God bless all, and God bless America 🎣👍☄️💥🇺🇸

As I started off I found that I had friends who liked hunting. As they came back with their quaries I would ask if I could get a few of their feathers (turkey, pheasant, duck). I also had friends in the trapping space. If they had bad pelts for selling they would share. As friends prepare for hunting trips I remind them that I am a tyer.

I’ll add cuticle scissors from Walgreens, they’re low price and super sharp. Starting out, you can cheap out and use Eagle Claw hooks for some patterns. Broom bristles and a lighter for crayfish eyes, beadchain from around the house. Lastly, once a fly gets shredded from a good day, I’ll strip it and tie a freshie on the used hook

The best hackle to purchase is some type of mottled or grizzly.They cover that “buggy” loke better than a solid color.This is a nice pick for a starter(on the road to bankruptcy)

Matt goog video.Reminded me of times gone by.48 years ago I stàrted for less than$ 15.00.Peacock,something every ever new tier needs,the magic material.Matts list will get you started.Get the list and start the fun world of fly tying.Have fun and enjoy.

i started with a monthly fly tying kits post fly and true fly supply come with everything you need comes in the mail.....and i got a vise combo from cabelas made by oasis that i still use... i got it years ago and never used it.... so its like 20 years old...as you know i only been tying little over a year ...but now i have pegboard full of materials and storage bins full....thanks matt .... hope to see some new fly tying people from this.....see ya joe.

I didn’t start tying to save money. It was just the right hobby for my life at the moment. I started with a kit my beautiful wife bought me from cabelas and since then, almost two years, I quit counting at a thousand dollars. The plus side is that I’ve got hundreds and hundreds of flies and something that keeps me busy from time to time. Now my kids are almost old enough to start learning how to fish so when they leave a few flies in a tree it won’t be a big deal. Fifteen years ago when I thought about tying for the first time, I was put off by a friend that showed me his massive collection of materials and equipment. So, I waited and I’m glad I did. Life is funny like that. Thanks for another great video Matt. Have a great fourth everyone!

Informative video you did good on this Matt! This is a must see 4 beginners n seasoned tyers 2 share w/those who r interested n tying flies.

My grandson would say what do you need to start tying, is a Grandfather who ties and willing to start you out and has tons of materials and willing to share.

Another great video Matt. I agree with you on the Saber hooks great hook for the price

I think that’s a great list. Good advice from a good teacher.

Perfect video. Thank you. I’ve made mention of this a few times tonight. Right here is my answer. A basic materials list for a beginner. I will definitely check all the comments as well. Make a list then it’s shopping 🛍 time. Thanks to all in advance for this information. God bless.

Good video Matt. I always tell folks that anything new always starts in $50 increments. Ditto fly tying. You’re one of my faves. David Palmetto Fly n Fish

Well Matt, I was holding my breath. I could have never done what you just did. All good advice and equipment. Hats off to you my friend 👍

For the parsimonious (that's the 50 cent word for cheap) folks in the crowd, dissecting needles make really inexpensive bodkins, but they're hard to find one off. If you want to spend a little more money than $50 Scientific Anglers has a tying kit for $75 that comes with tools and materials and pretty nice case. I'm sure other folks have them too, in fact I'm sure Cabelas does because I've got one. You will soon out grow the case if you tie much but it's a good start. Nice video Matt.

Great video. I’m so glad someone has done this that doesn’t have a vested commercial interest in fly tying. Your interest is in trying to help new Tiers get started. The only advice I can offer up is once you get the basic tools, which are not an option. is to try and figure out what type of fish you’re going to target. I’ve found that if you’re not careful you can find yourself going down a rabbit hole. Especially with the different materials available. It can be overwhelming. So for me I enjoy tying all types of flies. So my rabbit hole is a canyon. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Just figure out what type of fishing you’ll do in your area and learn those flies and materials. Thanks again

There is a lot to be said for Dr slick scissors. I recommend the all purpose model or maybe their hair scissors. I have the all purpose model with the fancy titanium nitride finish and they are well worth the investment. If youre skilled enough,, you can touch up scissors with a diamond rod and keep them going much longer. If that's something you try to do, I recommend practicing with budget scissors so you don't ruin the good ones, I learned that the hard way lol

I'g go along wth that, but add pheasant tail. So super useful! Also. if I had my time again. I'd onely choose black, white. great and brown threads. Definitely grizzle hackle is the way to go and a hare's ear mask (still don't have one). I'm impressed by how cheap thi gs are for you in USA. Here hooks are sold in packs of 25, and they cost roughly $15-20 US (I'm in Australia). Anyway I've leaned to use found feathers, chicken feathers and so on, and people gove me bits and pieces that- are really useful. Twine and wool are fantastic, as is chenille. Oh and peacock here or its equivalent is a must. :-) The good thig is most materials go a long way. :-)

That is some good info Matt Thanks for the video

First off you have the best videos that I've seen so far . Learning a bunch without a sales pitch . ....I'm retired . In the 70's I tied and sold thousands of 10 -12 size pan fish poppers . But that was it , it's been 20 yrs or more since I tied . Am somewhat on a budget so please keep that in mind . Who are some of the better quality and priced suppliers . I'm trying my hand at some foam bugs / spiders for pan fish to get started . Wanting to tie some basic flies like the blank Ant , and simple patterns like those . What hooks and sizes should I be looking at ? For the foamies I'm just using cheap eagle claw hooks from walmart . One thing I know nothing about is hackle , when and what are the various types used for . What dubbing set should I get , never ever tried that . Do want to try my hand on maybe some small stream trout fishing , have only used spinning gear doing that there . I know I should get a book or two and sit down and learn , what books are some of the better ones for lets say a beginner . Even after thousands of poppers I just ( kind of )learned how to use a whip finisher plus my sight has slipped open to suggestions on magnifiers or glasses . Appreciate any and all help ! Thanks!

Good video Matt and I think those choices are very good. When I started I found I was overwhelmed with the types of materials and what to buy. Being recently new to tying one of the other challenges I faced was what materials could tie what flies and I think that’s why some buy kits. I often think my approach to tying was influenced by trying to fill a fly box with a number of different flies to fish with instead of focusing on learning to tie. If I had a do over I think I would purchase a fly tying materials package for the specific flies I wanted to learn to tie and then I would have the materials I needed without buying stuff I didn’t need. The one thing I’ve learned is you can spend lots of money on materials and I found I have materials that I could/should have purchased sooner than later.

Great advice!!

As always, great video and information. I must say this is one of my favorite channel to watch in order to learn new things. Each video I watch there is always something to learn from them. I do have a couple recommendations of flies to tie. Terrestrial season is lost among us, so hopper and ant patterns is going to be a must to have in your box. So simple yet effective patterns of these would be great to watch and learn for those of us that has not ever tied these before.

Great advice and awesome layout of materials.

I like the tool suggestions but I think I would add a bobbin threader to it. Only cost about $3 but will save lots of frustration. On materials I would suggest picking a fly to start with and buy those materials. Some good choses for trout would be a zebra midge, pheasant tail, or a hares ear. All have common materials that could be used on many other patterns. Happy tying!

I agree with everything said here, I didn't go this route when I started. I bought the best vise for the money, knowing I would be using it for years. But I did start with all the economy tools at first. Unfortunately that didn't last long... Lol. I must've have every bobbin out there, and lots of scissors too.

I'd like to reccomend checking out flea markets and yard sales. I've found some great stuff that some poor tyer left behind and his family was trying to find a home for. Cheap!

Good video thanks. If you’re like me and In your 50’s and just getting in to this then you are also going to need ideally a led magnifying lamp or some magnifier glasses.

My best advice would to befriend a fly tyer and then you dont have to tie your own! Lol no really start off small dont buy alot of feathers or whatever, make sure you are going to stick with it before you get to much money wrapped up in it! And RU-vid will be your bestfriend on learning how to tie flys and the patterns!! I have learned so much from RU-vid, it's the best tool you can have in your tool kit!! Good luck to the new tyres out there, may your tread never break!!!

Great advice Matt, wish you were around when I started :o) Those prices you quoted were very reasonable. Never knew they had neck clumps, that's about what I paid for a whole Chinese streamer neck years ago, India necks were half that. I can't believe the expense on some materials now. Anyway I use a half hitch tool made from a ballpoint pen. I learned to whip by hand. Bobbin threader - one of those dental floss threaders or suck thread through the tube and cough up crud ;o) Pill bottles, brass casings of various calibers for a hair stacker or did it with two fingers and thumb - learned that from an old book. Get a good light so you can see what you're doing, you'll need it as you age. A designated space to comfortably tie, keeps peace in the house and you won't become a "nomad" tier like me :o/ Biggest obstacles I see are good info and guidance, which you, Matt, aptly provide :o) and cost of materials and tackle. Quality is great, but buy the best you can afford. You're a great service to the craft and sport Matt, kudos!

Great video Matt. Spot on for vice and tools. As others have said, the materials you chose are a good start, but a pheasant tail and a spool of ultra wire would have to be on my list...not sure how to keep it at the $50 mark though. Lol. Also, as you have suggested before, Hobby Lobby is a great place to pick up a variety of useful feathers, yarns, wire, etc. Thanks Matt and I hope you all have a Happy Fourth!!! Stay safe.

Matt, once again, you have delivered some good info. I started tying two be years ago with a kit from Bass Pro. I still use the vice for traveling. Most tries I have meet, say they have never got rid of their vices. Some times they use them for fun. Personally, I use my first vise to hold flies for display or reference while tying a batch of the same fly. I also suggest to use the first set of scissor, for wire wire rubbing down the road. Your advice is good and the tools of the sport really are not a waist of money.

I own three whip finishers and in 26 years and over 60 thousand hours behind the vice gotta say although I know how to use one I find it just slows me down. But hey if you want one get one. And a good leg material is broom bristles.

Great video Matt! As others have mentioned I too would add a pheasant tail (my most used material) but i hunt a bit so haven’t had to purchase natural pheasant tail. Also might suggest a box of assorted dubbing instead of a mask- it’s a lot easier to use though it will cost a little more; maybe $10 or so. Anyway, love your videos bud

For Scissors I now use small fiskars. Most craft stores have online coupons that reduce the price.

My advice I always give is to buy a tying tool set, but not a full beginners kit. The tying materials in those kits are mostly useless, but the tools are okay. Then just buy the materials to learn to tie some basic fly's like buggers. As you get comfortable with those, most of the techniques for them can apply to others.

GREAT video for new comers! I’m surprised you didn’t say marabou though! Haha

If you check some of the fur trader or leather worker websites, they will usually sell you scrap piece bundles of various fur scraps for peanuts. Can't make much with it in leather craft, but it's great for various hair for fly tying. Often they throw in scraps of exotic stuff. I got a bundle of scraps a while back with bear, lynx, white fox for like under $10.

Additionally... 1. A friend who hunts waterfowl. 2. A friend who raises pea fowl and guineas. 3. A lady who knits and will give you scrap yarn. 4. A friend who is a taxidermist. (They always have scraps) 5. A friend who hunts upland birds. 6..........

Great video. Matt, what came first…fly fishing or tying?

I forgot-copper wire! :-)

I bought a hare's mask 20 years ago - never used it :-) include pheasant tail instead.

Here in Indiana, them dry chunks are $15 and them hares masks are $5.95. Not sure why more expensive.

I get all my hooks and beads from Wholesale fly company. They have super amazing prices

I like to support my local fly shop which is actually over 50 miles away but I see tons of fly tying material on Amazon and sometimes the price just seems too good to be true so i'm sceptical to buy online atleast from Amazon. I have ordered from J. Stockard which was a great experience but really i've said all that to say this is it best to maybe pay a little more from an actual online fly shop in general are most reputable and do you have any go to places you shop mainly online?

Hey man my name is Robert, I’m disabled and have been trying to get into tying flies, I have a vise kit (not the greatest), I haven’t managed to successfully tie a fly yet and I’ve been at it for a little while 6 months to a year, I’ve been trying to tie the zebra midge on a size 16-18 hook, should I start with bigger flies for like bass that have bigger hook sizes or stay with the smaller? Also should I invest in a better vise? I think it may be time to because my vise is terrible at holding hooks. I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks!!

...BEWARE, this is how the addiction begins...

One more thin-g don't buy a kit.-just get the basics (good tools-but not really expensive ones) and learn with those..

Dang! I sold my soul to the devil, and I could’a just spent 50 bucks? Got ripped off again!!!

I know you went over but remember you have to spend $50 to get free shipping hahaha

spending 50 like a dope pusher giving u free dope next thing u are hook

And then there was Inflation .... :( .... How much did that wall of furs cost you ?

lesson learned here. even with the most basic setup at 50$ you better just buy a 85pcs box of flies premade from china for 20$ and spend the rest and some snacks.

Don't buy any kits , as I found were all rubbish, you can get better quality buying everything separately

I'd like to reccomend checking out flea markets and yard sales. I've found some great stuff that some poor tyer left behind and his family was trying to find a home for. Cheap!