Start Fly Tying
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Toolkit
This is the tool kit I started with, and I am still using the majority of it now. The scissors are fine, the hackle pliers can't be beaten for general work in my opinion, the hair stacker stacks hair and I don't use the whip finish tool because I use my fingers. It does work though. It is a great starter kit, and the only thing I'd change is the bobbin holder - see below.
Bobbin holder - upgrade
The reason I would recommend upgrading the bobbin holder in the above kit is to get one with a ceramic tube. This represents good value for a bobbin holder with a ceramic tube. If you are using a bobbin holder with a steel tube - certainly at the budget end of the market - you are always running the risk of friction and minutely roughened edges snapping your thread. When you have all but completed an intricate fly and this happens, it can be a little annoying. A ceramic tube won't do this, ceramic tubes are your friend.
Bobbin holder - upgrade
I love the rite bobbin holder, I have a few of them now. If you are reading this Rite - send me more - I will use them. The reason I like them so much is not only because of the ceramic tube, but because you have complete control of the thread tension with a little ratchet wheel on the side. For me, this is a brilliant feature, because I like to use different tensions for performing different tasks. There are two versions that concern us for the flies on this site - the standard and the shortie. The mechanism is exactly the same, one is shorter than the other, that's all. Personally I prefer the shortie, it sits in the palm of my hand and leaves plenty of room to wind around the vice. But it is purely a matter of personal preference.
C and F bobbin holder
This is the Rolls Royce of bobbin holders in as much as it is, like all C&F equipment, beautifully made. All C&F tools are precisely enginneered - in fact I suspect that the tolerances used are better than in my landrover! Landrover owners will know what I mean. It is a beautiful bobbin holder to use, there is no denying that. It has the ceramic tube of course, and uniquely, it has a little foam slit at the base end of the tube that precisely controls thread tension. And there is the rub for me - the bobbin holder precisely controls the thread tension, not me. This is why despite everything, I still always reach for the Rite first. If you are the kind of person who doesn't mind being bossed about by your betters, then you will probably be very happy together. But if you are a bit of a bolshie, like to strike out on your own and make your own mistakes, then do it Rite.
Tweezers
A pair of tweezers is a very useful addition to your tool kit. This pair will pick things up and pluck things away.
I think it is worth paying a bit more for a decent pair of tweezers. This pair will allow you to pluck a single, stray barb from your otherwise perfect dry fly hackle, with some confidence.
Sportfish. Catch more. C&F. Pay more. What can I say? With C&F, you are not only buying great function, but style too. Some may call that shallow. Personally I wouldn't. And I've just bought their full, portable fly tying kit, so I know what I am talking about. I've said too much already.
Multi tool
Another beautifully designed and made C&F tool that I find extremely useful. One end is a half-hitch tool which dispenses with the old biro, the other is a needle which is useful for not only picking out dubbing, but as there is a small hook on the end, very useful for hooking the thread loop when tying off a hitch or a hand-whip finish. And in the middle there is a little wire brush which roughens up dubbing such as hare's ear on the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear wonderfully. I wouldn't say it is an essential tool, but very useful. Go on - treat yourself, you know you're worth it.
Dubbing spinner
Form a long loop with your thread on the hook-shank, slip in this tool and hold open the loop. Dub on your dubbing (such as hare's ear) onto one inside of the loop, then twist it with the dubbing spinner, and it can make a very spiky dubbing rope. Then wind this rope as the body. It requires extra effort, but due to the 'spikiness' that can be achieved on a fly such as the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, worthwhile effort, in my opinion.
Scissors
Cut