Saturday, March 9, 2013

Beginners Tying Material List

The age old question that's on every new fly tyers mind is "what materials do I buy"? Most experienced tyers usually answer back with "pick out 5-10 patterns you want to tie and buy those materials". I know that is my usual answer.

Another option is to buy a basic fly tying kit that has the tools and materials to at least get a new tyer started in tying flies. The materials in these kits are not always of better quality and are mostly frowned upon by experienced tyers.

Last but not least, another option is to try and provide a beginner fly tyer with a simple list of about 15-20 items that should provide a fair amount of materials to get a new fly tyer going. That is what I am going to attempt. I know there will be a lot of different opinions on what should be a basic list of materials. This list is simply a list based on my experience in fly tying. The list provided below is for a new tyer who wants to tie trout flies but can spill over to different genres of fly tying.

This list is in no order of preference

1. Hooks (in different styles and sizes)
2. Thread (6/0 to start in black & white)
3. Pheasant Tail (center feathers when possible for the longest fibers)
4. Peacock Herl (eye feathers and strung herl)
5. Marabou (blood quills are better)
6. Deer hair
7. Elk hair
8. Buck tail (in different colors like red, yellow, or white)
9. Lead or non-lead wire (in different sizes)
10. Ribbing wire (silver, copper & gold)
11. Rooster Hackle (grizzly, brown, white & dun) A good option is an introduction pack
12. Hen neck or saddle (grizzly, brown, dun etc) (great for soft hackle & wings)
13. Hungarian Partridge Skin (great for soft hackles)
14. Dubbing dispenser of hares ear (various colors)
15. Gray duck or goose wing feathers (used for wing cases)
16. Head cement
17. Tinsel and other flash materials (in assorted colors)
18. Calf tail (start with white)
19. Yarns & chenille (used for making bodies, both in assorted colors)
20. Floss (1 strand or 4 strand in assorted colors)

Please remember the list shown above is relatively simple and should provide a new fly tyer with the materials to tie quite a number of fly patterns.

As always, thanks for looking

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Info Charts for the Fly Tyer


FACETED AND ROUND TUNGSTEN BEADS
BEAD SIZE
HOOK SIZE
SINK RATE (IN/SEC)
5/64 (.078IN / 1.98MM)
18 - 20
19.55
3/32 (.093IN / 2.38MM)
16 - 18
20.57
7/64 (.109IN / 2.78MM)
14 - 16
23.20
1/8 (.125IN / 3.18MM)
12 - 14
25.25
5/32 (.156IN / 3.97MM)
8 - 10
26.57
3/16 (.188IN / 4.76MM)
4 - 6
29.27


ROUND BEAD HEAD BEADS

 
BEAD SIZE
HOOK SIZE
SINK RATE (IN/SEC)
1/16 (.062 / 1.5MM)
20 - 22
N/A
5/64 (.078IN / 2.0MM)
18 - 20
13.45
3/32 (.093IN / 2.3MM)
16 - 18
14.88
1/8 (.125IN / 3.2MM)
12 - 14
15.79
5/32 (.156IN / 4.0MM)
8 - 10
18.21
3/16 (.188IN / 4.8MM)
4 - 6
21.07
7/32 (.218 / 5.6MM)
2 - 4
22.50


HOT BEADS


BEAD SIZE
HOOK SIZE
SINK RATE (IN/SEC)
1/8 (.125IN / 3.18MM)
12 - 14
15.79
5/32 (.156IN / 3.97MM)
8 - 10
18.21
3/16 (.188IN / 4.76MM)
4 - 6
21.07


TUNGSTEN CONE HEADS 


BEAD SIZE
HOOK SIZE
SINK RATE (IN/SEC)
SMALL
3/16 (.188IN / 4.8MM)
4 - 6 - 8
25.00
MEDIUM
7/32 (.218IN / 5.6MM)
2 - 4
27.14
LARGE
1/4 (.250IN / 6.3MM)
1 - 2 - 4
29.32

  
SEED BEAD APPROXIMATE DIAMETER



BEAD SIZE
INCHES
MILLIMETERS
6/0
.145
3.7
7/0
.134
3.4
8/0
.118
3.0
9/0
.102
2.6
10/0
.091
2.3
11/0
.087
2.2
12/0
.074
1.9
14/0
.063
1.6
15/0
.059
1.5


 LEAD WIRE TO HOOK SIZING CHART 


HOOK SIZE
WIRE SIZE
4 AND LARGER
.035
4 – 6
.030
6 – 10
.025
12 – 14
.020
14 – 16
.015
18 AND SMALLER
.010


DISCLAIMER

The charts shown above are simply for information only and to provide the fly tyer with a basic guide as to what fits what. The information is not carved in stone and it is up to the fly tyer should decide to use these charts or not. It should be noted that the fly tyer may opt for a different bead size for a given hook or may want to apply a different diameter of lead wire to a given hook size. Tyers preference.

Friday, March 1, 2013