(Part 2) Top products from r/flytying

Someone with more experience might suggest otherwise... but the easiest thing to do, in my opinion, is get a beginner set that has starting material and instructions.

On top of that I'd get the Orvis Fly-Tying Guide. That book will do a good job of explaining the basics "Barney-style."

There might be free (or cheap) classes in your area from a local fly fishing/tying club or from an outdoors shop. They will gladly help. I started tying with my dad a few years ago and loved it. After a few weeks I went into my local Orvis and asked for recommendations- they told me which tools I should upgrade (ceramic bobbin for example) and told me which materials will come in handy down the line.

Side tip- if you start getting into the hobby and want materials, you can always look online for cheap alternatives. Why pay $10 for a small amount of foam from Orvis when you can go to a craft store and get twice as much for $3?

Yeah it's fascinating- way over my head as a kid when I got it, but as an adult I really enjoyed it so it took several years for me to appreciate it. Also it looks great on a coffee table or tying desk. http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Flies-Their-Histories-Marbury/dp/1585743151

Here is a quick list of can't miss books in my opinion:

Michael Radencich as several books out, but this one should be a first if you want to head down this road. He outlines 20 classics and walks you through step by step. If you order from his site directly, he will autograph the book. These books are not cheap but worth their weight in gold:

http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Salmon-Flies-Techniques-Mastering/dp/0811705234/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409050251&sr=8-2&keywords=classic+salmon+fly+tying

Mikal Frodin put together an excellent book of classic patterns that include recipes. The really nice thing about this book is that he provides the history of the fly as well. The pictures are not the best and the dressings are not either (at least for display quality as we know it now), but for $10 used hardcover, it's a no brainer.

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Salmon-Flies-History-Patterns/dp/0883171635/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409050359&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=mikal+frodin

TE Pryce-Tannatt is one of the last "masters" and depending on the volume you get this book is collectible and gets pricey. This version is not and has a ton of excellent information:

http://www.amazon.com/Dress-Salmon-Flies-T-E-Pryce--Tannatt/dp/0713616180/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409050461&sr=8-1&keywords=te+pryce-tannatt

Yep - we've all been there! For the record, I quit chasing my dog around after a few flies. They didn't work all that well, and then I realized, probably why there aren't many in fly shops.

Dave Hughes American Fly Tying Manual should be the first book you buy. Read it cover to cover, and start with the basics.

Second book (and my autographed copy is most certainly not for sale) is Dave's book 'Essential Trout Flies.' I don't know too many folks that don't want to match his boxes from the cover - a great winter project for sure.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Tying-Manual-Dave-Hughes/dp/157188212X
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Trout-Flies-Step-step/dp/0811727483/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

Fair point. I mean I've read a handful of tying books and certainly improved at the vice because of it. Specifically I'd recommend John Geirach's "Good Flies"

It is important to know proportions, but that info isn't hard to find online either I imagine. I just feel like money is better spent on materials or good scissors than on new books. That being said, 80 tying books and a float tube for $80 is an absolute steal.

There's a great, true story, book about a Classic Fly Tyer who did not ask for the birds caps, just took them. Fantastic read. You won't be able to put it down. https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Thief-Obsession-Natural-History/dp/110198161X

This book is pretty awesome when it comes to fly tying with common household materials. Comes in a kindle edition which is how I read it.

Don't let people sway you by saying that you have to buy things from a fly shop or have to buy things made specifically for fly tying. Obviously not every little thing will work but half the fun is figuring out something new that does work!

As far as the flies in there go, I see brahma buggers top left, woolly buggers middle and bottom left (though left middle looks like a chenille body with soft hackle head), your swing fly on middle right, your pine squirrel sculpin on bottom right, and what might be more brahma buggers on right top and left side of middle row on right. Is that accurate?

Brook Box, for those interested.

I have found that this book is one of the best reference materials to begin with. https://www.amazon.co.uk/COMPLETE-FLY-FISHERS-HANDBOOK-Malcolm-Greenhalgh/dp/0751304999

Littlebit oldish (doesn’t have all new flies and variation), but tells what flies, when, what they imitate etc.

Good online resource is https://globalflyfisher.com/

For the trout fishing I do in New England, this book from Thomas Ames is really good. Lots of details, recipes, and a hatch chart.

So, it may not be what you're looking for, but, perhaps, it's a good example of what may exist for your region or for bass?

This pattern came from this book

https://www.amazon.com/Atlantic-Salmon-Mouches-atlantique-English/dp/0864929730

This is another good book for hair wing patterns.

https://www.amazon.com/Tying-Fishing-Bucktails-Other-Wings-ebook/dp/B01M4JDTI6/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1539171375&sr=1-4&keywords=mike+valla

Looking good, most people I know use prisma markers.

You can find them at hobby/craft stores.

https://www.amazon.com/Prismacolor-Premier-Double-Ended-Markers-24-Count/dp/B00006IFGM#nav-search-keywords

I use a bead head and I wrap their bodies in weighted wire as well. For the little guys, I use a .015 so their bodies don't get too thick.
https://www.amazon.com/Hareline-Dubbin-Round-COLOR-0-015/dp/B001U81WU8/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1522091609&sr=1-1&keywords=hareline+lead+free+.015+wire

Just some cheap box I bought off Amazon. Here you go: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B8X527O?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

I was just looking at ordering a pair, is it these ones?

​

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00006IFNA/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_10?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1

New Zealand Strike Indicator Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BO4I0NU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1IJ3BbFZXYWTY