What home-tied flies actually cost vs store-bought.
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Rotary fly tying viseRenzetti Traveler and Nor-vise are the two rotary vises people stop replacing. Pedestal base over C-clamp unless you travel.
Dry fly hackle capeWhiting Farms 100-pack is the honest starting point. A good rooster cape lasts years and covers most dry fly patterns.
Natural hair (elk, deer, bucktail)Elk hair for Caddis patterns; deer body hair for Comparaduns; bucktail for streamers. Natural shades first, dyed second.
Tying thread (Uni-Thread 6/0)Uni-Thread 6/0 is the universal workhorse. Get black, olive, tan, and red to cover 80% of patterns you'll tie.
Dubbing material setSuperfine dry fly dubbing for the body, rabbit dubbing for nymphs, Ice Dub for streamers. A sampler pack covers most needs.
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