What if I did make up some material and tool kits

[sticksteer]

That would be great Skip, I too have been wanting to try some tying but did not want to buy a kit with stuff I couldn't use.

[skiptomylu]

That would be great Skip, I too have been wanting to try some tying but did not want to buy a kit with stuff I couldn't use.

That to me is the biggest problem with every kit I have seen. Not only the materials, but the tools and almost every one has a regular whip finish tool that is not for jigs at all. Something you would never use with tying jigs and only a fly tying thing.

So far I have not much of a list, but have a good idea on tools.

A question to you guys would be what materials would you want?

Thread, Feathers (hackle and marabou), hair, some flash, maybe even some jigs heads. The only problem is that I wouldn't want to make it very high cost, but the more materials the more it cost. I can buy this stuff wholesale and sell it for less that retail shops, but it can still add up.

Thinking of something like Squirrel Tail Pieces (4-5) (several colors), Tinsel, 4 Colors of thread, 4 Colors of chenille 5 yards each, Maybe one Kip Tail?, And some amount of Hackle and Marabou. Only problem with the hackle I usually buy saltwater strung hackle now most of the time and it cost a bit more. Regular strung hackle I don't have a supply at wholesale. If I cut the size of each color of hackle I may be able to get like 4 colors. Have not figured what a price on this would be yet.

So one questions would be how much would a new guy want to put into a material kit?

Tools...
I have my eyes on a small tool kit (put together by me) less vise and just a few tools like a good Ceramic Bobbin, Decent Bodkin, The right whip finish tool. Maybe a cheap pair of scissors as they can get kind of high cost. Anyway it is looking like just this would be something like $17.00 +- a little.

[parrotheadcrb]

Whiting puts out a variety pack of hackles that comes with tons of different feathers. Lots of feathers in the packs and most are for big stuff. Suggested retail on Whiting is $10.

http://www.whitingfarms.com/prod_variety.html

I hate those cheap whip finishers that come in kits, very hard to use even on flies.

[skiptomylu]

Whiting puts out a variety pack of hackles that comes with tons of different feathers. Lots of feathers in the packs and most are for big stuff. Suggested retail on Whiting is $10.

http://www.whitingfarms.com/prod_variety.html

I hate those cheap whip finishers that come in kits, very hard to use even on flies.

I like that idea and I can check with them to see what I can do. Almost worse than the whip finish tool is the bobbin that cuts your thread. I am looking at a pretty nice bobbin with a full ceramic tube.

I just hate the kits that are out there because it seems they put a lot of junk in them that no one wants.

I have never talked with Whiting farms, but I will. I was thinking about buying some strung hackle, but then it's hard to have variety and still be not high cost in a kit.

Thanks,

Skip

[parrotheadcrb]

You might even check with Denny at Conranch hackle and see what he has. He has some variety packs and may make you a better offer than Whiting.

http://www.conranch.com/

[skiptomylu]

You might even check with Denny at Conranch hackle and see what he has. He has some variety packs and may make you a better offer than Whiting.

http://www.conranch.com/

I know him a little and didn't think of him either. I have been wanting to talk to him anyway. I want a jungle cock so bad and missed the annual sale while he had one left this year. He may even be easier to deal with.

Thanks again,

Skip

[skiptomylu]

You might even check with Denny at Conranch hackle and see what he has. He has some variety packs and may make you a better offer than Whiting.

http://www.conranch.com/

Just talked to Denny and he has no small packs of hackle and does not do that, but now it looks like I am going to buy me some capes and saddles. Knew I shouldn't call him. My wife is going to kill me!!!

Thanks anyway,

Skip

[smoothlures]

Funny how jig/fly tiers can always find something new to buy!

I don't know if you even need to include hackle. Marabou is the pretty much the standard and is a lot cheaper, even though I know you like the hackle jig tails (I do too). Just my two cents.

By the way Skip, PM me what sizes you can do your sparkle body jigs in. I may want to order some.

[sticksteer]

I dont know enough about tying to give you any input on a materials list, but if your kits are as good as your jig color combos you sell they'll be great.

[shipahoy41]

Skip,

Perhaps you can have a beginner's kit and then an exotic kit. Perhaps you can open up your own supply shop and compete with Barlow's, Jann's and Cabela's. (Numbers 13: 25-33)

Do you believe the report Skip? You can possess the land. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. I'll help you. I'm thinking outside the box for you and a way to involve your wife with more profits so she does not kill you.

In my opinion, any beginner's kit should sell for about $30.00 - $40.00. If you start them off right and treat them right, they will reorder from you. They will order their tying materials and jig heads from you, or grousefly, or crappie dentist. They will tell their friends and they also will beat a path to your door. If you price it too high, they may never start tying. Perhaps you can have this...if you step out on faith and just do it.

A suggestion is to include some of the following basic items.


Beginner's Kit

Printed instructions & video link for a Marabou jig
Printed instructions & video link for a Chenille jig
Printed instructions & video link for a Wooly Bugger

1/32nd and 1/16 jigs
Medium priced rotary vice
ceramic bobbin
Bodkin
scissors
head cement
6 spools flat waxed red thread
yellow chartreuse chenille
krystal flash
four bags marabou - chartreuse, white, aqua, pink
two kip tails - white, black
one squirrel tail - red

reorder form that includes all your tying products. ( If you PM me the list I can set up one on MS excel spreadsheets and email it to you.)

Exotic Kit
Includes all of the above items plus

Tying station
red fox
rabbit
other items of customer's choice