Hi and welcome !!This is my first official post ( hopefully not my last ).Lesson 1 for beginners is tying a ‘buzzer’. This is a basic fly and great for getting started.I hope to post another video within the next few weeks, so watch this space.Good LuckDavid Cammiss
Learn Fly Tying for Beginners to Intermediate
Educational video tutorial demonstrating fly tying ( how to make your own fishing flies ) for beginners to intermediate
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Last 15 Comments
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Nice video, well structured for the beginner, (just like me!) keep these videos coming! Great stuff
NICE ONE DAVE IM NOW ON MY WAY TO TYING MYSELF NICE ONE
Dear Dave
I have fished for over a year now and wondered about tying my own flies. Your video has given me the confidence to try. Thank you. May you produce many more. Kind Wishes. Ian
At last, a clear, unhurried approach to fly tying lessons. I look forward to seeing even more techniques and materials. Thanks very much Dave Cammiss!
I started watching your videos around a week ago and they were an inspiration to me. My first attempt left a bit to be desired and I couldn’t imagine any fish taking it unless it were blind. Since then I’ve practised and managed to tie myself a Diawl Bach last night. My only problem now is tying off. You do it so quickly and expertly that I had to freeze the video several times and still don’t know if I’m doing it correctly. I end up with the fly tied and the thread doesn’t come undone but I have a few little knots in the thread. When the fly is varnished it is fine.
Seeing as the thread still remains unwound after tying off, is this ok?
Hi just getting back into fly fishing and tying after 17 years, good vidio and refresher for me I hope you do many more.
Regards
Garry
Great Video..I have recently just bought a starter fly tying kit but before i can try the buzzer i need to get some varnish …can u use clear nail varnish? ….
Hi Scott
Yes Hard as Nails is best 2 coats. But ordinary will do the job. Make sure 1st. coat is dry hard first,
Glad to be of help
Dave C
David…
I have just tied my very first flies using Lesson 1….and i’m very pleased with the result…all thanks to you…I/m now totally hooked (no pun…)…i’m especially pleased with the half Hitch that you demonstrated…got the hang of it after the first attempt!!!…now all I need is to learn the whip finish…any chance of a demo?
being a river angler..my next flies will be the PTN…..again using your lesson plan…
Just wanted to say thank you….
regards
Steve
first rate, cuts through the modern “speak” towards fly tying. Good clear instructions. Have just started fly fishing/fly tying after 20 years(raising a family has a lot to answer for !) your enthusiasm is clear. tight lines all.
David:
Thanks a lot for this first lesson. It’s the first I’ve watched, since I only discovered your website a few minutes ago. Bravo: clear and simple, perfect for beginners.
I’ve been tying my own flies for 3 years now, but it was worth watching anyway: I’ve discovered a new way to make the final knot : actually, I’ve learned only to make a whip finish and at times it’s not quite convenient.
Thanks again. I’ll sure be back
Hervé – fron Lyon, France
What is its name in the US?
Hello Mr Cammiss (and team). Thank you very much for your site. I’m a beginner in fly tying and you are from now on my master. Your story about your own begening experience is so nice and helpful to understand your huge generosity.
I´m from Chile and we have a very good fishing sites around here. I`m fly fishing since 2000 and tying just from one month.
Could you publish some dry flies tying lessons please? Hatches are very commons in my area and caddis, mayflies, adams, and others are very effective. I´ll be very appreciated if you teach us how to ty those patterns, specially mayflies.
Thank you and your boys again.
My best regards from Chile, were the fishing season starts TODAY!!!.
Christian
hi Chritian
Thanks for your comments. I only wish I could be with you for the start of your season. We will try to come up with some mayflies in time. We are only restricted in the amount of time my son Jon can afford as he has a business to run and has little spare time.
Happy fishing
DaveC.
Hi Miguel
In the UK we refer to buzzers as imitations of the midge pupae which spend most of their life in the mud at the bottom of lake or river before hatching out as mature flies.
It is in the transition period when they ascend to the water surface that they become buzzers. The colours of the body can be black, red orange,olive or green in various sizes from 14 to 10s.
Hope this answers your question.
Happy Fishing
Dave C. and Team
hello again mr.cammis, i just was wondering what the vise you use is
Dear Mr. Cammis
I just got outfitted with fly tying equipment along with a Fly Tying Instruction booklet. I could not figure from the book how to start the thread so went to the web for help and found your site. Lesson one was very easy to follow. I like the way the lesson is presented -narration clear and photography sharp. I’ve marked your sight in my favorites and plan to go through each lesson.
Thanks for providing this service
Larry, British Columbia, Canada
Hi Larry
Thanks for your e-mail. Glad we could be of help. We have tried to keep the lessons simple but if you need any further help just email.
Happy Fly tying
DaveC. and the Team
Mr Cammiss,
I am a novice and just bought my first fly tying kit 4 hours ago. The sale person had given me my first lesson in fly tying but I cannot remember all the steps.
I went to the internet immediately to get help and almost paid US$150 for a basic fly tying video from the US !
Luckily I found your video in youtube.
You make fly tying so simple and I am instantly hooked !
The step-by-step video is very simple to understand, every steps is very easy to follow.
Your narration is slow and clear. The close-up shot iis very informative to the viewer and the video duration is just right
You have shown us that fly tying is inexpensive and it is about creativity and the use of ready available materials.
I thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart.
All the best to you and I hope to learn many more lessons from you, sir.
Heng Ghee
Singapore
Hi I’ve not been flyfishing for that long and have got bored with wasting my money on buying flies and have decided to start making my own thanks to your inspiration.
thanks.
Greg Morgan
Hi David,
I was delighted to come across you and your teams video’s on ‘YOUTUBE’.
I took my first fly fishing leassons last February and wet my first line this past April.
I taught myself how to tie from a book and caught my first trout on a soft hackle wet fly that I tied. Your video’s are wonderful and you are a generous person to share the knowledge that Mr. Proud bestowed upon you.
Thank You!
Dear David:
Hello from Monterrey, Mexico
Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you again.
These are the videos I was looking for.
Here in Mexico Fly Fishing is not very popular (as Bass Fishing). And I was looking for someone to show me how to make Fly Tying right. Your videos are the best I’ve ever seen.
Thanks again and God Bless you.
Eduardo
Monterrey, MEXICO
hello david .i came across your videos on you tube, i got a flytying kit for christmas and to be honest i was unsure where and how to start.your videos made it look easy and gave me the confidence to give it a bash and within 25 minutes or so i had tied 3 buzers.my mate also got a kit and i told him to check out your videos and he to has has made a few flies. i would like to thank you for taking some of the mystery out of fly tying, you could say im well and truely hooked. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Hello David,
Brilliant!!
Congratulations on your clear, concise and detailed explanations on tying various flys. Although I have been tying my own flys for a number of years your site clears up one or two ‘blind spots’ I have had and I have also learned some new things – and it’s free! Well done for not jumping onto the commercial bandwaggon.
Carry on the good work
Regards
Warren, Gunnerside, N.Yorksgire
Hi Warren
Thanks for your comments. Glad to be of help.
We have been asked about doing a DVD and will look at this perhaps later in the year.
We get a kick out of taking some of the ‘mystique’ out of flytying for all. All for free.
Regards
DaveC. and the Team
Hi Justin
Thanks for your comments.
We aim to please. If you need any help just contact me.
Regards
DaveC. and the Team
Greetings Mr. Cammis,
What a wonderful contribution you’ve made to us all. Your videos are great fun, and have given me some new ways in going about the same things. There are a million ways to skin a cat, and at least that many ways to tie a fly. It’s always helpful to see so many years at work first hand.
Thank you again for your efforts in sharing with us your talent. Please pass along my sentiments to your team as well!
Cheers,
Mark
Hi Dave, Great stuff, excellent viewing, easy to follow and highly recommended to experienced and begginer alike. Its also good to know I’m not the only one fly tying with dirty finger with doing the gardening. Keep up the great work.
Kind Regards
Norrie Highlands Scotland
Great site, thz for this videos !
WELL IM A NOVICE FLY TIER AND I FOLLOWED YOUR BOBBY PATERN AND INCLUDING YOUR HALFHITCH KNOTS.
AND I NOW FEEL LIKE A PROFFESIONAL.
DONT GIVE UP YOUR PASSION AND THANKYOU FOR YOUR INSPARATION.
Dave,
Your Fly Tying videos are fantastic. I’ve tried to watching videos from other tyers and they pale in comparison to yours. Your intruction has answered quite a few questions for me and I now look forward to tying my first fly. I also would like to say I almost fell out of might seat laughing when you made the Dolly Parton comparison during intermediate lesson 2. Keep the videos coming.
Cheers,
Rich
Hi Richard
We are delighted that you liked the vids……we do try I too hear Dolly Parton singing every time I tie a booby, makes it more interesting. There will be more vids on the way.
Happy Fishing
Dave C. and the Team
Hi Kevin
Thanks for letting us know that you are making good progress with your flytying.
Once you have mastered the basics it gets easier, just keep practising.
Happy fishing
Dave C. and the Team
Hello David
I am very new to fly tying and joined the Lakeland Fly Dressers’ Guild in January. I attend an evening class one night per week and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning the various techniques. It is really interesting and useful to contrast and compare your approach to the basic patterns. This presents me with the satisfying fact that there can be a variety of ways of achieving the same effect. The service that you are providing is excellent and I have really enjoyed watching and learning from your videos; there have been occasions when I have followed through one of your videos using the pause button whilst switching back to the vice!
Many thanks.
PS. Will there be mor videos?
Dave
Thankyou very much for setting up this site, you have opened up a whole new aspect of the sport for me.
It has to be said that whoever films and edits these videos deserves a round of aplause, I know from expirience how dificult and time consuming it is to produce a Training video like this and get the subject across so clearly.
Please keep making them!
Regards
Dave Walker
This set of videos is fantastic, just what I have been looking for. I have been learning to tie fly’s for only a few months, I’ve had a dabble, and tied a few buzzers, and I now want to move on a bit with some more patterns. This set of lessons is absolutely fantastic. Thank you very much. Jack Hargreaves would applaud!
Hi David.
As like the others I am new to Fly tying and as of yet have not tied a fly. I have been looking to find a site which will help and now I’ve found it. Your videos are professional friendly and easy to understand. You are now firmly in my favourites!! I have ordered my fly tying equipment and materials when they come I will be straight back to try the woolly bugger and buzzer. Can’t wait to catch a fish on a fly I’ve tied myself. Cheers and thank you.
Graham
most of the comments have already been covered by others but i had reached a lull in my tying interests but having seen your video’s its renewed my interest well done.
realy helpfull
thanks muchly
Hi David
Glad to be able to help. Stay tuned and in no time you will be addicted.
Happy Fishing
DaveC. and the Team
Hi Dave and thank you for the videos – I love them! I make jewelry, dream catchers, etc. and collect all sorts of fur, feathers and bone. My boyfriend really enjoys fly fishing while I prefer meandering down the stream taking photos. He has encouraged me to try my hand at fly tying. I though it would be difficult but I was amazed at how easy you make it look. Can you recommend a materials supplier, and how do I know what size wire to purchase?
Thanks very much
Excellent videos…. I’ve tied for years and I learned a thing or two. Please keep up the good work.
Hi Dave,
I have just discovered your excellent site. I must say it is the nicest, friendliest site I have ever found. What a treasure for the budding fly tyer. I can’t wait to explore your list and get tying.
Keep it up.
Mike
hi Mike
Thanks for your kind comments. There is no magic to tying fishing flies once you have mastered the basics. I was tying spider patterns holding the hook in my fingers when I was 12yrs old……..it is easier these days with a vice.
Keep practicing and remember nothing is laid down in tablets of stone.
Happy Fishing
DaveC. and the Team
Hi Donna
Thanks for your message. Good to know that we are getting a few ladies interested.
I am sure you will get a lot of fun out of tying flies… there are some really good lady tyers.
If you are in the UK I can give you suppliers of materials. Just let me know .
Happy Fishing( fly tying)
DaveC.and the Team
Hi Dave, thank you very much, excellent videos.
Just getting starting with the fly tying, and would be grateful if you could supply your list of suppliers of materials.
Regards, Eddie
Hi Eddie
Once you start collecting materials your every walk by the water will be looking for feathers. You will find yourself making friends with shooters and the little old lady in the haberdashery shop. I have accumulated stuff for over 60yrs and still keep adding to it.
Here are a few suppliers to try
Tightlines http://www.tightlines.co.uk
Fishtec http://www.fishtec.co.uk
Glasgow Angling http://www.fishingmegastore.com
Alex Mclure see my link
Royd lures for hooks see my link
There are more out there but get brochures and take it from there
Hope this helps
Happy Fishing
DaveC. and the Team
Thanks for that Dave, out “scanning” for feathers already !!
Regards ……………
Hi Eddie
I have just bought capes from http://www.mikestackleshop.com cock capes £2.99 and hen capes £1.99 excellent value for money.
Happy fishing and foraging
DaveC.and the Team
thank you very much dave for putting yourproffesional help and guidience on a free website for all the generall public i am 14 and abssed with fly tying and fly fishing and your website has been a tremenduss help thak you
Just want to thank and compliment you regarding your excellent videos. As you no doubt know, there are literally dozens of fly tying videos on the internet and many are of no use. They seem to consist of several minutes of out of focus views of someones fingers and the sound is so bad I believe the microphone must be in another room. You and your “team” have truly done a remarkable job and most unbelievably, it’s all free. I’ve learned a lot watching you but I’ve not yet mastered your double half hitch. Thanks again from sunny Calif.
Hi Troy
Thanks for your comments. Our aim is to try and take the ‘magic’ out of flytying. Once you have mastered the basics all the patterns in the mags. can be tied. The secret is to keep it simple and do things in the right sequence. We do try to do the double half hitch on every fly in deliberate way , sorry if I am not getting it across. Will try harder next time.
Happy Fishing
DaveC.and the Team.
I recently found your web site with the videos
I think you videos are great
I was wondering
Who makes your vise featured in the videos
Thanks
Bob
Hi Bob
Thanks for your comments.
The vice I have been using now for about 3 years is a GRIFFIN model Patriot Cam.
It really is a sturdy vice with all the features necessary without being flash.
This one has probably been used for several thousand flies.
info from
Griffin Enterptises inc.
Post Office Box 754
Bonner
Montana USA
Hope this helps
DaveC.and the Team
Hi
I was wondering what type of hook you used
I am just begining and I went to the store and there many types of hooks for
dry flies, streamers or nymphs etc
Also you use medium silver wire
what size is that
Thanks Bob
Hi Bob
Once upon a time I only ever used MUSTAD hooks. In the UK these are now difficult to find. I do buy a lot of KAMASAN hooks now. They cover the range of buzzer hooks B100/B110,wet fly hooks B170/B175, long shank lure hooks B800. and Dries B400.
Best prices are from Fishtec http://www.fishtec.co.uk. Ask for catalogue. They do a big range of fly tying products.
As for wire I acquire from various sources and just use the one I think most suitable for the fly I am tying. Medium wire should be strong enough to use on dubbed bodies or larger nymphs. Fishtec do wirein various colours.
Hope this helps.
Happy Fishing
DaveC. and the Team
Dave
Your videos are excellent. I belong to a branch of the FDG, and want to video our demonstrators so that we can then distribute DVDs to our members. Can you advise what set up you are using, in particular the camcorder specification.
Thanks
Hi Mike
Thanks for your comments. It seems strange that I am not a member of the local FDG.
Perhaps it is that I consider myself as a fly tyer rather than fly dresser. I am 72yrs and the object of the vids was to inspire new people to have a go at what I consider to be a flytastic hobby. My son Jon is the photographer and the inspiration behind the whole exercise. He has invested quite heavily in equipment suitable to film the tying the only way I felt was suitable……..and all this for no financial reward. We have had in excess of 300,000 hits on youtube since we started so we must be doing something right. The appeal has been to young and old from all round the world which we have found gratifying. We still seek to improve but my eyesight and fingers are not what they were. He uses only one camera and the tying is done at my bench in the ‘bunker’. In the beginning I had to be something of a contortionist to tie at the bench and keep my hands and head out of the way of the lens. I will have a word with Jon tonight and see if he will give you any technical help. He would like to do a DVD. and we have several flies in the can but everything has to be just right to meet his standards.
One of your members, Colin Edwards, is giving out the prizes at Colwick Flyfishers presentation night this year.
I will come back to you.
Regards
DaveC. and the Team
Hi Dave
Thank you for such a quick reply. Any technical help from Jon would be most welcome, as help from the local Sony centres, etc seems sadly lacking.
Regards
Mike
Hi Mike
Jon will be contacting you. What we have learnt has taken several months and much trial and error. If you look at the vast majority of fly tying vids they are taken from the front,an easier option but not as effective, whereas we have attempted to simulate the viewer doing the tying. As for the guy at the Sony centre I would wager that he knows all the technical specs. but would not have a clue about photography. Does that not bring to mind some Tackle shops? I had a good friend who had an international reputation as a casting instructor but even I could outfish him. I can see him now sitting on a cloud, rod in hand protesting at my comment.
Just curious but where is your FDG based?
Regards
DaveC.
you are amazing at tying flies i really want to start tying them my self but i have no idea were to start please could you help me i would really appreciete any help
you are amazing
matthew
Hi Matthew
Thank You for your comments.
I think you will find that if you start at lesson 1 and work your way through the beginners lessons you will manage.The first fly is always the hardest but hasten slowly. The basic kit to get started is a flytying vice, a bobbin holder and a good pair of fine poited scissors. Lesson 1 is a buzzer and that fly in black probably accounts for 50% of my trout every year. Other colours red, olive and green. This means your basic threads in these colours and fine silver wire plus the size 12 and 14 hooks are all you need to get started.
You can get catalogues from the following.
http://www.tightlines.co.uk
http://www.fishtec.co.uk
http://www.fishingmegastore.com
Hope this helps
Happy fishing
DaveC.and the Team
thank you so much for your help you are amazing
Hi Matthew
You are welcome
DaveC.and the Team
Hallo Dave,
I`m Mindaugas from Lithuania. Thank you very much for your lessons. They are fantastic. Now fly tying looks much more simple.
I`d like to know does the buzzer fly is good for catching grayling?
And sorry if i made mistakes in writing.
Thank you again for this site!
Hi Mindoza
Thanks for your comments.
There is no magic to tying fishing flies. Once you have mastered the basics it is just practice and dont be afraid to experiment….nothing is new. The buzzer was evolved as as a midge imitation for the stillwaters and reservoirs, that does not mean it would not catch grayling, but I think you might be better off trying cezch nymphs.
Hope this helps
Happy Fishing
DaveC.and the Team
hello thanks again i have baught my own fly rodd and have caught 3 trout with it but i still havnt mannaged to obtain a fly tying vice or equipment.
would normal phesant and other bird feathers do as my matirial ?
what would you suggest as a begginers vice i have about £20 for it ?
and how much would it cost all together for the basic set for begginers ?
thank you loads for your help
Hi there from the U.S. I stumbled across your site and have become “hooked”. I work at a company called L.L. Bean, quite famous in the states for outdoorsman – although I work in Information Technology. I’ve just recently bought a vice and various equipment. I’mtaking lessons at the LL Bean store – and the first fly we tied was the Hornberg. I can’t seem to find it on your site. Still, love watching your videos. Thanks for posting them.
Hi Matthew
Thanks for your comments
It is not necessary to spend a fortune to get started tying flies. You can buy a vice quite cheaply and upgrade as you improve. I asume that you are in the UK?
Carrilon do 2 vices that meet your budget, £14.95 and £17.95.
the website is http://www.carrilon.com
Worth sending for their catalogue
As for materials cock pheasant tail feathers(centre if you can get it) Canada goose wing quills (and there are 1000s near water in spring) .
The most killing pattern of the lot is the buzzer see lesson 1. In black,red and olive they account for70% of my trout every season.
If you want more web sites for materials come back to me.
Happy Fishing
DaveC. and the Team
Hi Chuck
good to have you onboard. So pleased that you have found the site to be useful.
I had not come acrooss your fly the Hornberg. I have looked it up and it reads well. When I am having a moment of fly tying madness I will tie a couple up and give them a try on our local lake……the change might just wake them up. I fish mainly nymph patterns and catch most of my trout on buzzers(lesson 1) in various colours. Quick , cheap and easy to tie and easily fished……slow and slower.
Happy fishing
DaveC. and the Team
Hello Dave,
Despite having been a flyfisherman on and off since the age of 10 (I’m now 56), I had never tied a fly myself before Christmas this year, when I received a tying kit, but no instructions. I found your site and have been having a great time ever since. Thank you and congratulations on your very clear and easy to follow instructions. Now I can’t wait for the weather to be just a little less cold and I’ll be off to try out my creations!
Could I make just one suggestion: would it be possible to name the fly next to each lesson number? It would save time when coming back to the site to look up something specific.
Thanks again and all the best,
Howard
Hello again Dave,
there was something else I wanted to ask if possible. One of my greatest difficulties so far has been tying in hackles. And also selecting a hackle of the right size.
Watching your video closely it seems that you kind of criss-cross the hackle over itself. Is that what I saw, or do you wind the turns in front of each other?
Maybe a basic techniques lesson dedicated just to selecting and tying in hackles might be useful for others too.
Today I shall move on to some of the intermediate lessons – wish me luck!
Thanks again,
Howard
Hi Howard
Thanks for your comments. It is never too late to get started tying flies. You will find it does get addictive and you will be collecting feathers as you fish.
Unfortunately it would be too much hassle for Jon to re jig the site to do the headings. He already gives me more time than he can really afford.
It was his suggestion to start this site and we never envisaged that it would take off the way it has.
I wish you luck with fishing your own flies, there is no greater kick than catching fish on your own fly.
Reference hackles. For most patterns you wind the hackle on in tight following turns towards the eye of the hook. For wet flies 2 or 3 turns should be enough.
The length of the ‘fibre on each side of the stalk should be about 25% longer than the
length of the hook point to the hook shank.( I wish I could draw on this pc.)
Best of luck with your tying. Hasten slowly and work it out in your mind first.
Happy Fishing
DaveC. and the Team
Dave – I’ve only been fly fishing for a couple of years and am still as enthusiastic as the day I started. Initially I wasn’t interested in tying my own flies as I wanted to get on with catching trout and learning about all the different ways I could do this, including understanding flies and having the right equipment to do the job. However, now I would like to start fly tying but know little about it other than what I’ve read in the magazine I subscribe to, and of course what I’ve seen of your wonderful series of videos which I have to say have given me a lot of encouragement to start tying. Just about all my experience so far has been on still water so that is where I have mainly developed my knowledge of flies. Given this, if I want to start from scratch could you recommend the equipment I would need and a range of materials to get me started on making a few flies. Beginners Lesson 1 does itemise some gear but just for the purpose of that lesson, ie tying the buzzer. Would really appreciate your help and any comments you might wish to make on the quality or price of what I would need.
Hi David
Thanks for your comments. Will try to summarize.
Basic Tools) Vice, fine point sharp scissors, bobbin holder, hackle pliers.
Hooks ) L/S 8, 10,12. Dry Fly 10,12. Grub 10,12. Fine wire buzzer 10,12.
Flies). P/T nymph, Damsel nymph, skinny buzzers black,olve,red,orange. Bloodworm,G/H hares ear, Diawl bach, Cats whisker.
Materials.) Cock pheasant centre tail,Wire copper,silver,gold,red. Marabou white,olive red. Oval ribbing M. silver .gold. Chenille M. olive, white,red. Threads 6/0 black,olive,red,brown,orange. 8/0 black.olive. Dubbing, hare, rabbit.Peacock herl(not eye), Metal beads 3mm,2mm. gold/silver.Lead wire fine,med. Cock capes black, brown.
No need to buy expensive capes.
That lot should make a lot of flies. Good Luck.
Happy Fishing
DaveC.and the Team
Many thanks Dave. Can just about figure out what it all means and I’m sure it will all become clearer when I get stuck in. This is a great start. Much appreciated.
Best wishes
David
hi
i got a vice off my nextdoor neighbor and hes been helping me out with tying then.
i paid a vist to a river in saltburn were i was told ther is nice size brown trout i tried a couple of little black flies and i was soon into my first brown trout about 1lb.i was really excited especialy when on my next cast i got one weighing 2lb my neighbor was using a little buzzer he had tied earlier that day and sedc i shou ld try the one i made so a qwick change over and a little move further up the river first cast a 2lb brown trout.
have you and sujjestions of flies which are good for grayling ?
thanks again for all your help you are amazing =)
Hi Dave,
Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge on tying flies.
It has been to many years that I havent done this, I recently started tying again and I’m having the time of my life.
Your videos are a true inspiration to the craft keep up the great work..thank you..thank you…
Regards James
Dave,
After many years of threatening to take up fly fishing I finally got around to it last year. Still a rank beginer but having a great time. I decided to start tying when I first started using the flyrod, seemed I was missing something if I didn’t tie ‘em myself. Your site has been a great help, not only in learning the how-to techniques, but in your manner which speaks clearly of your passion for the sport and your desire and satisfaction of passing on knowledge. Thanks to you and the team.
Great stuff, incisive and easy to understand instruction. As a beginner, I am finding the video’s invaluable. Many thanks to all concerned.
Hi Robert
Thanks for your comments. We aim to please.
Happy Fishing
DaveC.and the Team
Nice and straight forward lessons . I am a self tau
ght tier and have found your techniques and tips invaluable . Keep up the good work
Hi Les
Thanks for your comments. We try to take the ‘magic’ out of flytying. We will continue for just as long as these old fingers will work. Look out for the DVD which is on the cards now.
Happy Fishing
DaveC.and the Team
Hi Dave,
I found this site and am new to fly tying, I don’t want to buy materials that I may not use or need. I have a vise and all, but I’m more interested in the actual materials used for tying the flies.
My question is: What does a beginner need to start tying a variety of common flies.
Hi Mr Cammis
I’ve enjoyed watching the videos and am about to have my first go at a buzzer! Will let you know how I get on!
Richard
… well had a go. First few efforts the thread kept breaking – moral – don’t be so tight and pay a bit more for some good quality thread!
Got more thread managed to tie a green sausage – thread too thick or me? Third go, tied something resembling a buzzer – except for the infamous half-hitches… Will get Gill, my wife, to watch the video, I’m sure she will work out what I’m doing wrong. Addictive? Yes, sat up half the night and now have an egg cup full of strange multi coloured objects all of which have a passing resemblance to something scraped off the windscreen! Will keep going, sort out the half-hitch and then on to a Palmer! Thanks for the videos. I’m sure I will crack it in the end. Best wishes. Richard
P.S. I agree entirely with the sentiments expressed by Mr Ogle above. I’m sure that your efforts will bring a great deal of additional pleasure to those, like me who are new to fly fishing. Thank you very much.
Hi Richard
Thanks for your comments. You do seem to be having a hard time. Hasten slowly. Make sure you have made your thread secure when you start. Do not cut off the tag end. Hold it at 45 degrees and wind your thread in tight touching turns as you tie the tag down. If you are doing a skinny buzzer you need only do touching turns back to the eye of the hook after you have tied in the wire rib. When you have wound onthe ribbing and secured it at the eye build up the thorax to a bll shape and then tie off with the half hitch. Why not just practice the half hitch until you are comfortable with it on a bare hook?
Practice makes perfect. Once you have mastered the buzzer the world is your oyster. The buzzer is the one fly I would never be without. Just tonight a friend of mine phoned me to tell me that she had caught a 10lb. bream on one of my black buzzers at Grafham Reservoir.Let me know how you get on.
Happy Fishing
DaveC.and the Team