HAHA! Sorry, I assumed most everyone has been through "The Deid". But yeah, it is Qatar. As far as it goes for deployments it's definately an easy location to be at.leahcim_dahc wrote:I have never heard the term "The Deid" before. Had to google it to find out, I'm army...we still ride the short bus once in a while. :-) Is that an AFB in Qatar? Good luck on your deployment, hope you get back home in one piece....
I need to do some calling around and find a retailer. Cabela's carries them...or at least on their site, but most of the fly shop sites around here don't show having any. Most of them are pushing the Renzetti's or HMH's. A couple had Griffin's, but they wasn't a style I was interested in.Marc Martyn wrote:I can switch from tying a #18 to tying a 3/0 with great ease without changing any parts. The two screw adjustments are very easy to use. The Spider was suggested by Sean at the Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane. For the money, it is a great vise.leahcim_dahc wrote:Thanks, Marc! How well does it work not having cam operated jaws? I assume you just crank down on the screw on the side of the jaws to hold the hooks.
It appears to handle a wide range of hook sizes without having to change jaws, which is rather handy. Price is kinda nice, too! :-)
Go into a fly shop that handles it. They may let you tie up a fly on it in the shop to try it.
Chad,leahcim_dahc wrote:Alrighty, finally got me a kit put together. Ended up buying the Griffin vise. Works quite well. Changing the jaw configuration for different size hooks is simple. I was skeptical over the screw type clamp instead of the cam lever action...but seems to be holding quite well.
As far as materials go...I think I have enough to last for quite a while. For a basic starter kit, I put together the basics. Elk hair, deer hair, maribou, chenille, assorted hackle, pheasant, peacock, partridge, dubbing (in various colors...mostly the natural earth tone colors), tinsel, flashabou, crystal flash, copper wire, lead wire, 500 + hooks (#10 - #18, nymph, streamer & dry), thread, etc., etc..
With regards to tools, I just ended up piecing a kit together. Hackle pliers (long & short), whip finisher, scissors, bobbins, dubbing tool, thread starter, etc., etc.. In addition to the tools and materials, I purchased a couple books, as well.
The Orvis Fly-Tying Guide- Tim Rosenbauer
Tying Flies- Jack Dennis
Innovative Flies and Techniques- Al & Gretchen Beatty
Should keep me busy for a while. Already tied up four train wrecks and one decent woolly bugger. Still need practice....all in due time.
I should have saved the ugly one's, but disassembled them and kept the hooks. I did take a photo of a woolly bugger, I posted it at the linky below... :-)Marc Martyn wrote:Looks like you have a good kit put together. If you have any questions, feel free to post it or shoot off a PM.
Don't worry about the train wrecks. If they hold together, fish them. I have caught several fish with some "not so pretty" flies. If they resemble a bug, use it.
Snap a photo of one and post it. Have fun.
I have to say, my dad bought be a tying kit when I was in high school and it came with a whip finisher....I've never used it.leahcim_dahc wrote:
With regards to tools, I just ended up piecing a kit together. Hackle pliers (long & short), whip finisher, scissors, bobbins, dubbing tool, thread starter, etc., etc.. In addition to the tools and materials, I purchased a couple books, as well.
With a bit of practice, my whip finishes have started to look better and better. Biggest issue I had was tying it too tight...then the thread would break when I pulled it through at the end. Some people prefer the whip finisher...some prefer to finish by hand...with a bit of practice...either way should work rather well.ruthven78 wrote:I have to say, my dad bought be a tying kit when I was in high school and it came with a whip finisher....I've never used it.
