Introductory Fly-Tying Books?

[Christopher]

Hey there, am probably going to buy some fly-tying gear soon, is there any books that are a good introduction to tying with a few basic patterns demonstrated?

Am looking at tying mainly bream flies, but as I'm probably moving to Canberra early next year, I might just have to get into trout tying as well! I'm hoping that the equipment I'll need for salt/fresh will be reasonably compatable?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot everyone, and all the best.

[Christopher]

Anyone? Anyone at all? I'd just really appreciate a couple of suggestions, as I'm new to this, and I'm not sure what is recommended generally.

[Tony Ireland]

I don't have any books on tying so can't help you there but I do have a step by step vidio that is easy to learn from and got me started tying my own flies called "Saltwater Fly Tying by Lefty Kreh"

[Stuie_02]

Hi Chris

I have most of my patterns from web site or from magazines. I have watched a few videos either from the library or friends. Have a look at fishnets website as they have a fly box.

http://www.fishnet.com.au/flyswap/

Get into to flyfishing club when you get into canberra as they will no doubt tie flies slightly different to everyone else, they will have the local info and patterns that work as well.

As Chris about some basic patterns or books that can pont you in the right direction.

Cheers
Stuie

[F.B.]

on the tackle side of things a fast actioned 6 weight fly rod will serve you well for light saltwater and freshwater use! for the tying probably the best thing would be to buy a video on flytying! this way you can actually see the tying procedures instead of having to copy them from a book which can be quite difficult. Mick Hall has plenty of them and i think he does do one on estuary patterns.
cheers

[Justin]

Chris,

I am fairly new to the world of tying as well, especially saltwater & bream patterns.

One of the better souces I have found was saltwaterflies.com - an american site, but very good in terms of smaller patterns (intended for bonefish - but the bream wont know that!) together with detailed tying instructions, materials etc.

I too have the Lefty Kreh video already mentioned - an absolute cracker - I can watch it over and over again (Bit of a Lefty fan)

In terms of materials - I was surprised how much I already had for my trout flies, which was used for bream patterns. SLF, rabbit zonkers, chennile, crystal chenile etc can be used for what ever you are tying.

The only thing I learnt the hard way was to get the best hooks you can afford - especially if venturing into saltwater. While some packets seem a lot of $ for say 25-30 hooks - they are worth it. Just think how cheap one fly costs you to make (with the best materials) as opposed to purchasing the same fly at your local tackle shop!!!! Also, there is nothing better than catching a fish (trout, bream whatever) on one of your own patterns. I still get a buzz out of it.

Hope I have been of some assistance

Cheers

Justin