notbob wrote:
I'm new to fly fishing, only since last Summer. I'm still pretty bad, but
my casting has improved and I love eating trout. I'm on a limited income so
flies can be expensive. I'd like to learn to tie my own. My question is,
would it be wise to start small with a basic kit like Scientific Anglers
($50@WM) till I decide whether or not to commit to this art, or should I
hold out for more expensive vise, etc, on the assumption that bad gear can
sour a newbie. I'm a firm believer in spending the $$ for quality, but OTOH
I may suck at fly tying. I'd love to hear some opinions. Thank you.

I have no experience with the Scientific Anglers kit but in
general kits have cheap junk for tools and a lot of cheap
materials for which you'll never have a use.

You don't have to spend a lot for a good Thompson A type vise
and a few good tools. As for materials, first pick a fly/flies
you know you'll use and buy only the materials you need to tie
that particular fly/flies.

Tie ten or twelve identical flies at a sitting, you'll be
surprised how much better the last one is compared to the
first one.

Now, having said all that. Forget once and for all that fairy
tale about tying your own saving money. Ain't true, ain't
never been true, ain't never gonna be true. You cannot save
money by tying your own flies. There are a lot of good reasons
for tying your own, but saving money isn't one of them.

--
Ken Fortenberry