Compact fly tying kits

[mud-dog27]

hey i was just wondering if anyone on here has or has used one of these little fly tying kits in a little travel like box as ive got a table mount vise but with all the stuff its kinda bulky and takes up valuble space on trips

either way for the price i figure it cant hurt to get one at least for the tools

just wantin some opinions

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...534&hasJS=true

http://www.flyshack.com/DisplayItem.aspx?ItemID=23381

[phearless]

If you are just looking for tools I would suggest going to your local,I repeat,Local fly shop.
Tell them what you want to tie and that you want all the tools you would need to do it.
The tools in the kits you are looking at are not the best.
Talking to a local guru in the shop will get you you exactly what you want/need. I suggest buying the best quality tools you can afford. Not neccesarily the most expensive,just good quality. I can tell you from experience that putting out a couple of extra bucks at the outset will pay off huge in the future. This applies to everything. If you buy products on the basis of cost alone you will soon end up with a box full of crap, I mean gently used tools to give away later.
If you are looking for a whole kit, let them know you want to do up a custom kit and they will work on the price with you.
If you can't afford it all at once, get the basics and add as required. It took me 10 years to get everything I need. Well almost everything, it never ends.
A good quality vise and tools add hugely to the enoyment of fly tieing.

I have tied a fair number of flies commercially,so this is from experience.


Just my.


Fred

[SalaR]

I have to agree with Mr. Fred........it reminds me of a fellow that came into our shop seveal years ago whom had just purchased a CDn Tire Special combination fly and spinning rod kit,he wanted to line the rod with a fly line more expensive than his kit cost...anyway,he put the line on and broke the rod before he actually cast it..idea is good...quality sucked!
Don't waste your $$
C

[bc_speys]

Hi mud - dog.
I'm in agreement with pheerless and SalaR. Don't scrimp on your tools. It will just cause you trouble down the road. As far as portability, I have a cheap aluminum tool case that I bought at crappy tire for 20 bucks and it holds my vise , hackle pliers, whip finish tool and scissors quite admirably, along with a few necks and some saddles and various other materials. I find that if I pay attention to the time of year, the altitude and the alkalinity of the water that I am going to fish, I can rule out many species of insects that may be present. This allows me to decide what materials to bring and more important, what not to bring! Learn the hatch times, ( as they vary at different altitudes) and try to find local reports pertinent to the area you are going to fish. Early on I used to bring everything but the kitchen sink, because I might need this or I might need that, big mistake! I spent more time deciding what to tie than fishing.And use this site. Chances are that someone has fished where you are going to go and knows what is emerging at what time of year, or what is working and this will help you narrow down your selection of materials, reducing bulk. Reduce bulk, take up less space.
I hope this helps, and remember we're all one big happy family here! So don't be afraid to ask.
Cliff

[mud-dog27]

thanks for the input guys ill have to stop at the huntin/fishin store on the way home in the next couple days and talk to the guy whos continues to empty my wallet between fishing and hunting gear.

too many toys that i want it never ends

[ribwart]

I just put together my own little kit, it's not so little, but I'm rather proud of it, it didn't cost me a cent...I'll post some pics tonight...

[ribwart]

Some pics of the setup I put together...a small wine crate, a jig saw and a few finishing nails was all it took. oh wait, I had to buy the scotch and drink it, and I had to buy the pin board for the flies...

[phearless]

Very nice job on the kit Rib.
Functional,recycled mostly.
Very green.
Now about the fiery brown contents of the bottle.
I suppose that is for inspiration?
A wee dram never hurt anyone.

[mud-dog27]

very nice...only problem is i tend to start projects and not finish...bumpers....winches.....and so on