Having the best fly tying kit is not only a manner to conquer the cost of purchasing flies that are pre-tied but is also artwork. It is also a challenge to shift from purchasing nymphs that are crafted to starting to create your own. In most cases, the big challenge is how to start creating them by yourself.
You don’t have to worry anymore because we are here to assist you learn how to tie fishing flies by yourself. This article will discuss all the things including on how to start tying fishing flies at home as well as give you the many important questions you are looking for such as the best fly tying kit and their components.
This will include a list and review of each of the best fly tying kit you can find today. In each option, there is an explanation and our recommendations on what you should buy.
4 Best Fly Tying Kits
1. Creative Angler Wooden Tying Station
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The Creative Fishermen Wooden Tying Station has all aesthetics that fly anglers need. The question you may be having now is does this kit offer the fly-tying capabilities that you are looking for? My answer will be a big YES.
An EZ swivel vise is included in the set, which connects to the strapping station and keeps it in position. This is not a terrible vise to buy because it is also a good starting point for any beginner. As far as getting value for your money, this best fly tying kit is the one with a low quality.
It does however come with extra clamps that may be mounted to any table, removing the shaky character of wooden station in some cases.
Tweezers, a few spools, two tying tools, a threader, a head restraint, a bandage, and basic ply tying supplies are all included in this package. You’ll also discover instructional books on the fundamentals of fly tying as well as how-to instructions for the different most popular flies.
The tools and supplies offered are of fair quality, but don’t anticipate the best standards. Because it is too weak to endure, the base made of wood is frequently the most troublesome component. In reality, several bases were damaged when they arrived and had to be fixed or returned even before being used.
If you want to avoid this from happening you can just used finishing nails and wood glue to reinforce the base or by clamping the vise to a good table.
In general, this fly tying kit will offer you all the basics you are looking for including the best vise for you to begin tying your own flies.
Pros
- The vise is excellent has a C-clamp
- The tools are ok
- It comes with many materials for tying flies
Cons
- The tying box/station made of wood features a poor design
2. Orvis Fly-tying Kit
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I doubt that you’ll ever meet a fly fisherman who hasn’t heard of Orvis. On most rivers in America, this name is legendary.
The fly tie kit is one of the more costly alternatives, but it’s also one of the best for beginners, since it comes with everything you need to get started tying and is of a higher quality than most other kits.
This kit includes everything you’ll need to produce 160 flies, including a tweezers, vise, whip cutter, needle, bobbin holder, hair straightener, scissors, beads, glue, thread, hooks, and wire. An informative DVD is also provided, which is a nicer touch than a beginner’s handbook.
This tool and vise are of decent quality, and with Dr. Slick or Peak, you are going to get more bang for you money and considering that this best fly tying kit will break your bank just a little more than then Peak Rotary Vise, it is not so much bad in the end.
If you are looking for the best fly tying kit that will give you value for your money, then this is the perfect option.
Pros
- The vise is good
- This tool is amzing
- It has plenty of fly tying materials
- It comes with a DVD user guide
3. Scientific Anglers Deluxe Fly-Tying Kit
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The Scientific Anglers Deluxe FlyTying Kit is affordable, but when it comes to fishing and life, you get value for your money when you buy this best fly tying kit.
This package includes a bobbin holder, scissors, vise, whip trimmer, needle threader, and hair styler. Hooks, wires, cement, thread, and a variety of fly-tying supplies are also provided.
The problem is that for the price you will be asked for this set, the quality will be doubtful, and you should definitely inquire about it.
At best, the vice is acceptable. You may not be able to wrap the vise with wire or thread with adequate power, especially for little flies. The tools are also a little shady, and while they are able to tie flies, obtaining decent results will be more difficult than you expect.
Such a challenge is not for people learning to tie flies and you don’t need tools that are branded to learn fishing fly tying but you also don’t wish to be left behind due to a lack of abilities or bad quality materials.
For low-budget fly fishers, it’s worth a go, but it’s preferable to wait till you can purchase an Orvis outfit.
Pros
- It is cheap
- It comes with a DVD user manual
Cons
- The vise and too are of poor quality
- The components are of poor quality.
4. Hareline Fly Tying Material Kit
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Hareline is also a well-known fly-fishing brand, and they offer the only best fly tying kit available that If you are to buy another from another brand than Orvis, then buy this one.
To begin with, Amazon advertises a “premium” bundle while really providing “economy.” As seen by the vise that comes with each kit, the difference is significant. The vise is economical whereas the tools are premium.
The premium vise of this kit is the best on this guide whereas the bobbin holders, tweezers, tying tools, hairpins, hairstylers, and the scissors are of comparable, if not higher, quality to the components of the Orvis set.
Hareline’s wires, feathers, thread, dubs, and a variety of other products are all of the highest quality.
In a sense, then, this kit is the diametric opposite of the Scientific Anglers option: in this case, you get what you pay for, and that’s a lot!
Even if you buy individual components to create the same collection of equipment and materials, it’s difficult to top what Hareline has to offer if you can manage to spend around 30% more the price of Orvis package.
This best fly tying kit is, in some respects, the polar opposite of Scientific Anglers version. You get value for your money.
Pros
- The vise is good
- The tools are good
- It comes with many high-quality fishing fly materials
Cons
- This kit is expensive
Should You Buy a Kit or Assemble Your Own?
It’s tempting to acquire a kit that is pre-assembled as a beginner fishing fly tier.
This will not only take the uncertainty out of selecting components, but it will also assist you in getting started and tying flies faster on your own.
The trouble with fly tying kits, as nearly all expert fly fishermen agree, is that they are of low quality. This is not an issue for certain tools. One sewing or dubbing needle, for example, is pretty comparable to another in my experience.
You’ll immediately notice the difference in quality if you try tying the flies without a suitable spool holder and vise. I can’t and won’t tell you what is right. Instead, I’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative.
Premium kits, on the other hand, such as Hareline or Orvis, provide high-quality tools, but at a price!
Pre-Assembled Kits
The cheapest alternative is generally fly tying kits that are pre-assembled, however this is not usualy the case. It’s also meant to cover the fundamentals, especially for individuals who are still learning to tie fishing flies, so you know you’ll have all you need.
That is something everyone loves because all they need is a little forethought, so they’re ideal for those who are not sure where to begin or are purchasing a kit as a present for a particular fisherman.
The disadvantage of these kits is it might be difficult to strike a balance between low cost and components of high-quality.
Pheasant tails, thread, wire, beads, wire, among other components should work OK, however the vise that comes with the set is brittle and frequently fails. Spool holders, scissors, and other equipment may suffice in the short term, but if you decide to tie your own flies, you will need an improvement in the long run.
Pros
- Let’s you to tie flies faster
- Enables you to select basic fly materials and tools
- They are affordable
- The quality of tools is ok
Cons
- The quality of vise is poor
Assembling Your Own Kit
Another alternative is to perform your research and read similar reviews to determine what you require. You may then buy the particular goods you desire, based on your budget and requirements.
This choice ensures that you get the quality you pay for, ensuring that you have all of the equipment, vises, and supplies you require. However, researching each component of a kit might take much longer than you expect, and it can soon become costly!
Pros
- You get tools and vise of high quality
- You will not be required to upgrade any of the tools
Cons
- Slow process
- They get expensive within a small period of time.
Basic Components You Need to Tie Flies
Vise
While winding the wire and thread, dubbing, feathering, and tying everything together, the fly tie vise retains the small loops. The most crucial aspect of the best fly tying kit.
A vise that is excellent makes tying flies easy, whereas a faulty vise makes tightening and tying strong knots harder.
The incredible Peak is one of the best you can get today. Beginners and experienced alike will enjoy utilizing it. Peak is a great option if you’re searching for a vise to round out your personal collection.
Scissors
Cutting the tiny threads and other components that will wrap the flies requires precision that standard kitchen shears cannot provide.
Sharp, small scissors are essential for tying flies, and cutting tiny threads and components. Dr. Slick is available to help you if you are searching for scissors to start or finish your kit.
Bobbin Holder
Bobbin holders exist in a range of shapes and sizes, but all of them serve the same purpose. This entails holding a spool of thread and slowly feeding while you wind the flies.
The optimum material for the holder’s “eye” is ceramic, which allows for a smooth flow without the risk of breaking the delicate thread. The basic Rite Ceramic spool holder is my personal favorite. It will not disappoint you.
Bodkin
Bodkin is a needle that is long and is used to cement precise drops. The Bodkin by Dr. Slick is the greatest option.
Hair Stacker
Hair stackers are available in a wide range of sizes and materials, but all serve the same purpose. It’s all about making fishing flies that are consistent, tidy, and realistic.
Dr. Slick, like majority of other fish fly tying goods, is a name you can trust, and I appreciate this Hair Stacker that they manufacture.
Whip Finish Tool
This curiously designed gadget lets you tie a little knot to keep the flies together. You might not even be able to begin tying flies without this gadget! My favorite is Dr. Slick’s Whipped Finisher.
Head Cement
Fly glue is used as the head cement, and with just a few drops, the knot is unbroken and everything is kept together. The industry’s standard and most known brand is Loon’s Hard Head Non-Toxic Head Cement.
Wax
If you reside in a dry area, you might need to add some backing wax to the flies to make them appear nice. Then Loon’s Outdoors Swax High Tack Dubbing Wax is the way to go.
Beads
The majority of current fishing flies are beaded at the front to add shining and weight. Angler Dream’s little pebbles perform admirably.
Wire
The fly is wrapped with gleaming metal wire, which gives it a segmented appearance and small bit of gloss. I adore UTC Ultra Wire, which comes in every hue of the rainbow to match any local stream regardless of where you reside!
Pheasant Tail
Nothing rivals a pheasant’s tail when it comes to materials for making fly wings. Hairline is a brand you can trust. Anglers trust the Hareline Ringneck Pheasant Tail Feather, which comes in a range of colors to produce the right fly for your location.
Dubbing
Nobody does it better than Hareline when it comes to cloning a fly’s body. Hareline’s Superfine Dry Fly is one of my favorites, and I’m sure you will love it too.
Thread
Fly tying requires a strong staple thread, and nothing is unpleasant than twisting a fly around the thread and end up breaking it. With the Danville Flymaster Plus 140 Denier, this does not happen. Extremely durable and available in wide selection of colors.
Peacock Herl
Seasoned fishing fly tiers know that a peacock herl is a requirement, from the form of their legs or tentacles to the slightest characteristics that trick trouts. Dr. Fish’s Peacock Herl is one of the best and has been used for many years.
Chenille
Multicolored fluffy chenille is used to make wingless larva and worms. Greatfishing Chenille is a low-cost, effective lure that comes in a range of colors to deceive any fish.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this information has helped you figure out which option is best for you. If that’s the case, please contact us. Please give your thoughts in the box below.
