Fishing Forum

Just curious for all your avid fly tiers out there, what vises you're using and would recommend using. Looking to get into fly tying and I think I'm just going to jump straight into a rotary vise (looking at the Renzetti Traveler 2200). It's a little steep on what I can afford right now, but I'd rather buy something that will last, perform awesome, and hopefully won't ever need to be upgraded and can last forever!

http://www.renzetti.com/index.php?option...Itemid=194
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What I use and have been for about 25 years. Might not use the rotary all the time but it is awesome to have when you need it. I tried tying on a standard vise and didn't realize how much I used the rotary. Maybe even a little bit to see all angles.
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Watching a few vids, I can totally see having a rotary being VERY handy at times, especially when tying woolly buggers or anything with hackle. Like I said, I could start out cheap and buy a $70 dollar kit, but I know in a month or two, I'm going to want the $200 one so. Might as well just buy it right out of the gate and be happy, like yourself, for 25 years! The Griffin Mongooose was another I was looking at. but I don't know if I like the bulkiness of the vise itself. And there's a lot more moving parts including some plastic parts that I imagine will be wearing out over time.

On the Traveler, are you able to throw in any hook size you want from a 24 to a 1/0 for steelhead flies? Bascially one vise will do anything and everything I'll need/want to tie up?
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I can't say anything about the Mongoose as I have always been happy with my Renzetti, but I know several people that love the Goose.

I am not sure the size on the big hook, but it is big. The zetti takes this hook with easy and then dow to this #32:


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Is there even an eyelet on that #32 hook, Joni? [sly]
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LMAO Yes, in fact I use 6X on them.
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Beautiful! Dunno if I'll be tying up any #32's but, glad to know it will handle them all! For the prices being about the same between the two. I still like the simplicity of the Renzetti over the Goose. I'll prob just go and pick one of those up!
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Two words: Nor Vise. Or one word, or whatever. When used properly, those things are absurd.
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Even they have their limitations although I would love to own one. They are straight jaws and tough for tube jigs or scuds that go down the bend.
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Thanks for all the help! I went over to Mickey Finn's and bought me the Renzetti and a few other things to get started tying some basic nymphs for now. Definitely going to take a LOT of getting used to as far as tying stuff goes. Right now, each fly cost about $10 if i was to be paying myself $20 an hour lol. But, it's fun either way! I'm sure speed will come with practice! Few pics of all my other birthday gifts I just got last week!
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Nice setup there Renzetti makes a great vise. Im a Griffrin fan myself the Mongoose works well.

Now all you need is a tying station [][][]

http://globalflyfisher.com/tiebetter/tying_bench/
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Work station is kinda funny! As I'm staring at the mess on my kitchen counter thinking to myself.... I've gotta setup a desk/station so I don't have to keep moving this stuff! It will be soon to come!
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One suggestion I would like to give and an easy one is next choice of thread, go with UTC or Sheer or Danvilles. Uni s okay, but these other three lay flat where Uni does not. It will make a difference as you get into tying more. Makes cleaner heads.

So, whatcha tying first?
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I've actually already noticed that my heads have a fairly large build up of thread on them when I haven't really wrapped to much around them. Makes it really hard for finishing them off. I would guess this is a direct effect of the thick thread I'm using. Live and Learn! Time to pound out some furled leaders! Where do you get your tippet rings from?

Far as flies go! I've made a REALLY ugly hairs ear, a REALLY ugly pheasant Tail, then after that i started making some better stuff I could actually use! lol Few Ph. tails, more hairs ears, Brassie, Red Copper John, some Prince Nymphs. The usual! Tried a grey scud... Struggling majorly with dubbing.
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Wax or wetting your fingers can help with dubbing. AND less is more. use very spars dubbing at a time.
I get the tippet rings from J. Stockard.

Also on the thread, I know it is tough when you are learning, but lighter thread also makes for cleaner flies. Example is 8/0 for buggers. You just have to learn how much tension.

On the UTC I like 70, Sheer I like 14/0 or 10/0.
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I've been using wax... Haven't really wet my fingers so I'll try that and see if it helps. Wondering if it's just the type of dubbing i'm using. The stuff I used on the Hairs Ear worked out good... But the grey/tan dubbing is horrible. Can't get it to stay rolled on the thread. Twist it, soon as I let go, it untwists! :'( Very frustrating. Practice, Practice, Practice!

I will definitely have to go and get some different thread that's not bonded. It'll help me out a ton.
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Definitely could be the dubbing. I have the same problem with some like Ponds, and even Fair's Semi Seal. As you say, Practice. There is always a dubbing loop to. Check some of the youtubes on that.
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I still have some Overton Wonderwax. All dubbings are easy.
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[quote SatanLBZ801]

Struggling majorly with dubbing.

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When getting started in tying, usually the first hump you'll have to get over is using too much dubbing. It's a "feel" thing that will smooth out with time and practice.

Here's a picture of a few Hare's Ear's that I tied recently... the bodies are tightly dubbed with a good dose of wax, but the thorax's are sparsely dubbed in a loop - ala Leisenring style - to give them a spiky look. Very durable.

As far as dubbing wax goes, I prefer real tacky stuff, and you can get it for a buck or two at Home Depot... it's a toilet wax ring! One ring will last a lifetime. []


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Very nice ties. Proportions are perfect. Now, do you think the wax makes the fly water repellent?
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