Author Topic: Cost cutting tips for fly tying (Read 664 times)

Reid Bacon · « **on:** November 08, 2009, 11:10:37 AM »

We all know that gathering copious amounts of materials can put some cobb webs in the pocket, but I'm sure there are some great ideas on here for alleviating the costs of it all. I like to put as much as I can through a bobbin ie. lead, wire ect. This eliminates waste and also helps control. It will require a decent amount of bobbins but ol' cheapo ones are plenty good enough for lead and the like. I also will keep a crap stash of flies that don't make the fly box cut that can be chopped for the tungsten beads at a later date. It can be tedious getting the beads back but tungsten can be expensive if you are on a budget. Also buying what you can afford in bulk also helps. What are some of the ways you guys use in order to keep the back pocket bulging?

Josh Almond · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2009, 06:51:58 PM »

Sadly enough on one of our more popular streams I take about 30 minutes every trip and raid the streamside rhodo bushes for flies. I then take home the days stash and clean the hook and steal the bead. I weigh them so I know whether it is tungsten or brass. Generally I get about 10 tungsten beads a trip.

Bulk orders definately help keep the wallet fat and I've found that by emailing a shop before an order can sometimes bring on a nice discount if you order enough...or atleast cut out shipping charges.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:00:32 PM »

Josh has very good points about bulk. I buy hooks I use alot in 100 packs. I buy spool of lead on 1lb spools. Another good one is split the orders with a friend. Maybe you don't need 100 size 14 TMC200rs but you and three friends might. You also split the shipping cost on orders when you order with a friend.

Another on is when using spooled materials like lead or wire wrap the on the fly directly from the spool rather than cutting off a section and wrapping it. You will be surprised how much longer it lasts.

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2009, 08:45:53 PM »

A friend of mine gets his flat lead from his dentist. This dentist has an older xray machine that uses lead sheets for the film (not quite sure I understand the process but that's not really relevant). Anyway he cuts them into strips in the sizes that he needs.

For clear scud back or for wrapping caddis or cranefly larva you can go to Walmart and look for one of their spill control stations. these stations alway have a box of latex and/or vinyl gloves. I'm sure they won't miss a few.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2009, 08:47:43 PM »

Nick,

Where do you get your 1lb spools of lead?

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2009, 08:53:55 PM »

LOL Lopat i like the walmat tip that is priceless!

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:19:45 PM »

Dejon: Where else but Bob Marriots. http://www.bobmarriottsflyfishingstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=34325

The price is a little steep at first but you will be amazed how much lead is on the spool.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:24:59 PM »

Quote from: Nick Naclerio on November 09, 2009, 09:19:45 PM

Dejon: Where else but Bob Marriots. http://www.bobmarriottsflyfishingstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=34325

The price is a little steep at first but you will be amazed how much lead is on the spool.

Thanx man. Interesting that 35 is 1/2 price of 10. Makes sense I guess. I wonder how this "weighs" cost wise against a regular spool.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #8 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:30:25 PM »

You figure it takes alot more .010 to make a pound then .035. Its will save you alot of money in the long run. You need to tie a ton of flies to even put a dent in it.