So I've wanted to blog about a certain subject for quite a while now -- money. Now don't get me wrong-- I love this sport-- but I'll be damned if the "rich white-guy's sport" stereotype doesn't hold a bit of water. Ok probably more than a bit -- I remember reading somewhere that the majority of fly fisherman are middle aged, male, white, and have college degrees (assuming from that we/they are career oriented folks). The demographics themselves don't bother me (I will fit them someday - though I think diversity is better) but in general the prices on fly fishing equipment reflect the target audience. And as someone who started fly fishing during college-- those price tags hurt.
So I'd like to start a series of posts (and hopefully receive suggestions) about how to save money in this sport. I will also mention where I think it's NOT worth it to skimp on the price tag. Here Goes.
Shaving Money.
Beads, and hooks are expensive. Razorblades are cheap.
Every so often I go through all my flies and re-organize my fly boxes. Usually I come across dozens of poorly tied flies, odd experimental flies, and fish-chewed flies-- the likes of which I will probably never fish. I take these out and put them in a box labeled "cull." Then after the box has 50 or more flies I will get the razorblades out and shave off all the glue, lead, feathers etc to save any quality hook that is unbent and sharp and pretty much all the beads as they are almost never damaged. I salvaged these about a week ago:
This is where I mention something that isn't worth skimping on-- quality hooks (in respect to trout fishing).
This last go-round I used wire cutters and clipped the eyelets off of 20 or so hooks to save time removing the bead because the hooks were cheap. Time on the water is precious and if I'm going to invest the time and materials to tie a fly it's worth it to use a hook that won't let me down. My main nymph go-to's are the TMC 2457, the TMC 3769, and the TMC 2499spbl for a barbless hook. These are stout wired hooks with small barbs, sharp points and wide hook gaps. For streamers I generally use TMC or equivalent hooks-- anything that looks stout and feels "sticky" sharp. Confidence is a precious commodity-- you will catch more fish if you are confident in your fly-- so buy good hooks and if you mess up a tie-- shave it and get it right-- it's worth it. (The only reason I go back to my stash of cheap hooks is when I have a left-field fly idea I want to try.) Just remember that fingers are also a precious commodity when using a double sided razorblade-- notice the band aid? Yep, don't cut towards your own fingers.
11 comments:
I also have done this once or twice to save beads and dumbells. I have also used bucktails from a friends fall hunting kill. I also have a friend working on getting me some squirel tails. Keep an ear out for hunters and you'll probably be able to get FREE materials from wabbits to pheseant.
The snobish city people might find this method repulsive but for the rest of us we realize that the store bought materials are procured in nearly the same way...
I just made a huge score at Michaels crafts. After x-mas foam kits for two bucks, good for foam flies, and more gold and silver tinsel than I'll ever use for fifty cents. I also hunt rabbits, deer, and ducks so those help too. No matter how much I have I always seem to be needing something!
Hell yeah bro if its real dire times I'll go as far as scanning overhanging braches for fresh flies! Buying hooks in bulk helps too, narrow it down to the ones used the most and get a box of 100 for each. Make your own tapered leaders, and one thing for certain you gotta take care of your line. If you take time to clean recondition and all that it lasts! Lately I've been entertaining the idea of wrapping my own rods, why not I tie my own flies.
On the fly: Heck yeah, I've got some awesome stuff from hunting and hunters. I've got squirrel tails, sage hen, chukar, and hungarian partridge (awesome soft hackle). I've even eyeballed roadkill...
Tom: My wife thinks its funny that I get excited when she wants to go to the craft store... I always come with her and buy more than she does...
Bill: I don't know if I've gotten that desperate yet, haha! I definitely tie my own nymph and streamer leaders-- I use the cheap flourocarbon from the spincasting section. I need to take care of my line though... I just end up fishing with cracked p.o.s. line. Rod making looks... well, rather involved-- but that would be pretty awesome at the same time
Brian:
I started flyfishing in college and feel your pain. The saving beads advice is sound-something I always did as well.
I would also look for alternate materials that would serve the same purpose to avoid having to buy new stuff. Fly specific equipment is often a rip-off as well.
Keep up the good fight.
I forgot, tungsten is a luxury.
I leaned the hard way it isn't worth it to reuse hooks. The strain of being clamped in the vice a secomd and third time will lead to hooks breaking off at the end. no bueno.
Aye tungsten is indeed a luxury (it's what my wedding ring is made of!) I definitely inspect the hook before saving anything, however I've found TMC hooks to hold up fairly well but have had daiichi hooks break on me... I'll definitely keep that in mind though, maybe I'll decrease the pressure on the vice :-)
and heck yeah on the alternate materials-- recently I started buying bass bug skirts for rubberlegs
I throw all my money down the drain on gear and gas. If you need tying materials shave a dog or cat. My beard is also useful.
I am not white rich or successful but I love to fly fish and often get weird looks while I am fishing on the truckee in shorts and a t-shirt. I guess if you don't wear the vest and the hats and expensive waders you aren't really a fly fisherman. I spend at least 4 days a week on the Truckee and do pretty well. My advice is to always go to garage sales in rich neighborhoods. Elitists seem to not know the real worth in gear unless it's the brand new top of the line trendiest stuff on the market. Which is alright by me.
Building your own rod can save you hundreds in some cases. I built a z axis and saved about $250. I got to pick my own guides and reel seat too.
Anonymous-- Good call on the garage sales-- I haven't hit any garage sales up for fishing gear but i have scored some sweet musical instruments for cheap
thanks for the advice!
cheers
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