For Someone New To Tying

[skiptomylu]

Tying jigs with larger thread doesnt really matter what kinda bobbins you have. It is when you get into tying smaller trout flies with 8/0, 10/0 and 12/0 thread a good bobbins makes a whole lot of difference. As far as advice goes I would buy a decent vice...i.e.......Renzetti, Dyna King....something along those lines. They will last years, I bet I have tied 5000-6000 flies on my Dyna King over the last 5 or 6 years.

Agree on the vise and I really like my Saltwater Traveler with cam jaw. I also think the cam jaw is a real plus.

On bobbins, I have had several that I could not get through even one jig using 210 denier thread without it cutting my thread and sometimes more than once. Some bobbins just are no good, but if you get a well made bobbin even if it's not high cost they can be really good for not so much. I have since moved the bobbins like that to holding lead or yarn as they will never be good with any thread.

Some that are low cost are still well made like the Bobbins with a Collar, don't think I ever had one of them be bad. They usually only cost a couple of bucks, but there are some that are the same type money that will make you crazy so since I am not shopping for them I recommend they look for a trouble free bobbin like a ceramic bobbin that can be bought for like $7 and never have any issues. I think it's easier to just tell a new tier to try something like that.

For the cheap one that I never had trouble with...
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/fly-tyi...441000016.aspx

For a ceramic bobbin that is reasonable...
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/fly-tyi...044500009.aspx

Here is another very good bobbin for $10...
http://shop.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Cat...Dr-Slick-CBOB4

Skip

[BubbaTN]

Hi guys, New to the website. I just started tying my own flys/jigs this past week. I originally picked it up to start tying my own FnF jigs for bass, but I am now planning on tying some crappie jigs as well. I bought this "fly-ty kit" from a local tackle shop just to have something to use. But now i'm not sure my bobbin is the best choice. I started out using regular sewing thread just to get the feel for things, and I thought that may have been why my thread kept breaking. But then i got some Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread from bass pro and it seems to fray like crazy and break almost just as much. So do you guys think that my bobbin is my problem more than likely? Here is the "kit" I bought...

http://www.anglers-choice.com/produc...&cat=29&page=1

Any helpful tips you guys could offer me would be greatly appreciated. One thing I was wondering about is, other than hook size and possibly weight, would there be any difference between FnF jigs and crappie jigs? And is the "fur"(i think its called dubbing) on the collars of 'typical' crappie jigs the "norm"?

Here's a few pics of the FnF jigs i've tied so far....

[ShilohRed]

Thanks Skip.
That is what this group needs. More info like that. Or I sure need it. LOL
pete

[skiptomylu]

Your Welcome ShilohRed!

BubbaTN, if you would get a ceramic bobbin like I showed in the links it will stop the thread from fraying!

Skip

[BubbaTN]

Your Welcome ShilohRed!

BubbaTN, if you would get a ceramic bobbin like I showed in the links it will stop the thread from fraying!

Skip

Thanks Skip! I was just wanting to make sure that was my problem and not something else I could be overlooking. I'll see about getting one of those ceramic bobbins next time I can make it to bass pro.

[skiptomylu]

Thanks Skip! I was just wanting to make sure that was my problem and not something else I could be overlooking. I'll see about getting one of those ceramic bobbins next time I can make it to bass pro.

I really don't think you will be sorry about that. I use Danville Thread too and the flat waxed is the best!

Skip

[ShilohRed]

Thanks Skip.
That is what this group needs. More info like that. Or I sure need it. LOL
pete

[crappiekid24]

I agree a ceramic bobbin is great! I have several now. Danville thread is a good thread for flat waxed thread. I like Uni-thread as it seems stronger then Danville. I use 6/0 Uni Thread for tying my jigs. I do use Danville flat waxed thread sometimes.

[parrotheadcrb]

I would say the next biggest thing with tying is thread control and thread usage. Once you get it figured out you will be able to tie down materials in two or three turns of thread. Materials are not hard to lock into place and the less thread you use on flies or jigs the better they will look and the better they will stand up. I use hard head or sally hansen on my jigs but seldom on my flies. Also get a whip finisher and learn it and use it. Or whip finish by hand.

[shipahoy41]

Hey BubbaTn,

Welcome to this forum. It truly is the best. Your jigs look like they will catch fish and that is what they are all about. Let me clarify one thing. I also started out with a cheaper bobbin and it worked well enough for me to learn about fly tying. After I had been tying for about a year and started talking with Skip about a few things, I did move up to a ceramic bobbin.

My advice to the beginner was don't jump up and spend $500.00 on all the stuff right away. See if you like to tie flies first and then upgrade your equipment as you get better at your craft. I started buying my own stuff when I was 18 years old. Over the past 45 years I am sure I have spent over $60,000.00 enjoying my sport. Crappie fishing and tying my own jigs.


There should be a T-shirt that says "CRAPPIE FISHING IS A LIFETIME INVESTMENT."


Enjoy the ride and welcome aboard.