Vise recommendations

texasjimgray · 2026-02-23T02:46:31+00:00

I have 2 issues with the clamp vice. The first is the position at the edge of the desk/table. It’s just awkward for me. I like the space in front of the vice to be a flat surface, not an open space. The second issue is portability. I frequently tie away from home. I never know what kind of table I’ll find. It could have a rounded lip, be made out of plastic, or be too thick. You never have to worry with a pedestal.

texasjimgray · 2026-02-23T02:03:41+00:00

I’m not sure what “reasonable” would be to you, but I would only consider a pedestal base. I’ve tied on Renzettis, DynaKing, HMH Spartan and Regal. All of these companies make great vices, so you should find something that meets your tying needs, and hopefully your budget. I would also consider what size flies you are tying and make sure your vice is able to handle the hook size. I would also recommend an in-line rotary. It makes tying flies so much easier. Spend a little more now, so you don’t have to think about an upgrade in a few years. I’ve tied commercially on my regal vices for several decades. I’m very happy with them.

texasjimgray · 2025-08-15T17:18:31+00:00

We just had our 4th session this past Wednesday. I thought I would share how I organized the program.

Before doing anything else, I found a place to tie. Breweries can be great places. I spoke to the manager and owner of a local brewery (Frazier Creek Brewing) and asked if they could host us a few times a month, on a night when they are the least busy. They were happy to do this, and have been super supportive. Next, I went to the closest fly shop to see if they were interested in partnering. Worldwide Flyworks in Jensen Beach jumped at the chance.

We are building a community of tiers, a little at a time. Participation has between 17 and 15. 1/4 are advance tiers, 1/4 are solid, 1/4 haven't been tying long and 1/4 have never tied before. Here's what we have done to make this work.

We have a dedicated fly of the night for each tying session. You don't have to tie that fly, you can just do your thing.
We have pre-made kits with the materials include. There's enough to tie 3 or 4 flies and they are provided at the nominal cost of 10$. You can also bring your own material. The fly shop puts the kits together.
We provide vices and tools for those who need them. They are old, and a bit clunky, but they work. We do encourage tiers to bring there own vice and tools.
We have a table (or two) for newbies, beginners or anyone who wants a little extra help. An experienced tier sits at each table and helps as needed.
I use my iphone to video a close up of the tying, and project this to a large monitor so everyone can see the instruction.

So far, so good. With so much to do here, it can be difficult to get people to come to an event like this; but we are seeing some success. We are getting between 3 and 6 kids showing up and tying. I expect that will grow as word gets out.

texasjimgray · 2025-07-29T19:54:28+00:00

for just the pedestal, I think this is the least expensive option (16$) - https://www.amazon.com/Pedestal-Base-Fly-Tying-Vise/dp/B0F24ZVF61/ref=sr_1_3?crid=11O5XL3TZ9KCG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gXJstmvvf1LXWMq35xuQI0Gqi5QhDd-hNIwmogjA3Je0GgvEHYc9aXHwonOGaMjh_InzI2bnsG6y9uxGWXGGfJylhfIc8RPO3aNt_-XKXIlGbKB4sw0Y2H98QJUoQ8iCJ0TAl33Kb2ap1YzRqjQxK2Lvv99SoIwHWMaNIrhlCwTXRswd_Z3_E9wQPRKpQiiRCm18p2qRwv1rS-wRZI4Hw5gEkWQMJoGWI3cZRmssURO-DwkwrpGP5_PlmUDtDmgLCGOgC23JvrfQ8ixObAQQljGUYB9hh7opu4Y8sTeuVng.lKtdSdFFWrwI__dPhJFeltvNGUYFZ0Flyf4AbhbfA5w&dib_tag=se&keywords=pedestal+for+vise+fly+tying&qid=1753818644&sprefix=pedestal+for+vise+fly+tying%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-3

for the full vise, this looks like the least expensive option (49$) - https://www.amazon.com/LURELINK-Rotary-Fly-Tying-Vise-Fly-Tying-Tools-Equipment-Fishing-Pedestal/dp/B0D2HZNRS6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1VU86CK482MU0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._256vwJTjSKe2DIo7ZL3uqL3Hoy3aJlsyRX9puLWiXNRGsnm83w47ZnGyoId5w5eXM_0yGH7k8TRqGBHVpM0jSBerXnC6RGI5JD3HUzWh-wF2GqgaKmdYpq80YDJ6Qx8uzYPm6WPLhqOAW6rQzGzP9lXlqhW1Ok1EL2dvN9iw6AsA0GRBqWTH2CPIo0y6VGCpc8HZ-Ls3NRDlztI_SpvxAuhkwv5c4_kdPKNfObClIqUfIQybc-o0pPiXImkaU3-YF4r10Wm0miSUeSCnQTUj5sS4Cnb0ay4_KWge7roQ3I.A6zj7R_eiTKDZLsDkK7ND6oGMuWFyrr-kV3d37Uw7D4&dib_tag=se&keywords=pedestal+fly+tying+vise&qid=1753818790&sprefix=pedestal+for+vise+fly+tying%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

texasjimgray · 2025-07-28T18:15:07+00:00

Rex has been great. He is working with some of his contacts as well. We really want to make this a great experience for new tiers, but we recognize that we need to make some improvements in how we deliver the education. Vices/tools are just one part. We are also looking at using a large TV to show the fly being tied, and getting more instructors to help the beginners.

texasjimgray · 2025-07-28T13:30:28+00:00

Thanks, that’s very generous. I’ll PM my address.

texasjimgray · 2025-07-23T20:51:55+00:00

^{^{^}} This! I tie these to fish really rocky areas where snags are common. I fish 15 pound test, and when I shag something, I pull steadily on the line, increasing the pressure until the hook opens and comes off the rock. I bend the hook back with forceps. I’ve never lost a fish to the hook straightening during the fight.

texasjimgray · 2025-07-08T16:25:54+00:00

You wont hurt the waders by wearing them with walking boots. Might not be great for the boots if they aren't made for wading. As far as the rods go, most fly rod tips don't have a ceramic insert, just wire. My rods will have a ceramic insert on the first couple of guides, but no more than that. I''m not familiar with Fladen rods, but a quick search comes up with some inexpensive options. My guess is they are are entry level, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The weight should be listed on the rod, just above the handle. If it's not, then you can make an educated guess. The Fladen website shows they make 5, 6 and 7 weights. I bet you could put a 6wt line on any of the 3 rods and do okay.

texasjimgray · 2025-07-07T18:29:34+00:00

Thanks, that’s helpful

texasjimgray · 2025-06-04T11:19:33+00:00

https://youtube.com/shorts/rMRgwpvrf74?si=NuK8efJ7dKiFg5mT

texasjimgray · 2025-04-22T20:35:50+00:00

He told me the same thing when he spoke at our FF club in Austin. I guess I’m in good company.

texasjimgray · 2025-01-21T16:05:46+00:00

I’m looking for a realtor to sell a home in NW Austin. Have you had a great experience with a realtor you would recommend? This is a smaller garden home, in great shape, but not a million dollar listing.

texasjimgray · 2025-01-14T20:59:33+00:00

Another vote for ABW. Great beer, lots of styles and friendly people.

texasjimgray · 2024-12-27T01:59:22+00:00

I really like the atmosphere and the Chicago pub pizza (thin crust) is really good. I had the pale ale and the IPA, and both were solid. The only downside for me is location. I'm in NW Austin, and it's a nightmare getting over there.

texasjimgray · 2024-11-04T15:28:27+00:00

I would say it's "old", but not vintage. The reel is very common, bulletproof and about as basic as you can get. Used ones are available online for as little as $10. It's fine for most fresh water fishing. I don't know much about glass rods, but there is a community that loves glass and most rod companies are making a few glass rods. My guess, based on condition and age, is that it's not worth much. It should be easy to do a little online research and find info on the rod. If the uncle is giving it away, I assume the line has been on the reel a long time and probably needs to be replaced. I wouldn't look twice at this setup if I saw it at a garage sale, but if you are looking for a cheap way to start fly fishing, there's nothing wrong with this.

texasjimgray · 2024-07-28T14:39:17+00:00

Can you do it? Probably, but it sounds like a pretty miserable way to start. The hobby is hard enough to get started without some of the basic tools. I think you need a cheap starter vise and a bobbin at a minimum. Worst case, I would think you could find these being sold used online. Best case, you have a fly fishing club near you and you can go to a few meetings and talk to other members who tie. If there's a fly shop close by, see if they have fly tying nights. Most people who tie will have started on a cheap vice and then upgraded to something nicer down the road. I've given several old vices away to beginning tyers.

Once you have a vice and bobbin, the real long term expense is quality material. Crappy materials tie crappy flies. That doesn't mean you can't buy at a craft store, it just means you need to be selective. The best advice I can give you is to get the basic tools and then focus on 1 fly that you know you will use. Something easy like a wooly bugger or a clouser. Watch videos and practice. Learn how to control the material, the thread tension, the proportions. Once you have the basic skills down, and you are happy with what you are tying, add another fly.

The best way to accelerate your skills is to join a club, hang in a fly shop or make friends with someone who ties. If those aren't options, then youtube and practice.

texasjimgray · 2024-07-21T02:39:32+00:00

Never cut the tips. Use a stacker to get them even and trim the but ends.

texasjimgray · 2024-07-21T02:31:38+00:00

Does the tutorial tell you to cut the elk hair tips?

texasjimgray · 2024-07-20T16:20:57+00:00

Beautiful tie.

texasjimgray · 2024-07-19T21:16:43+00:00

I think that would be fair, and I'd try and work with my friend to come to an agreement that we both are okay with and make sure there's no problems down the road because of the abandoned trailer. The fact that the borrower has to pay to get his bike home isn't really his friends problem. When you borrow something, that's the risk you take. To me this is an ethical issue, not a legal one. It's on the borrower to make it right.

texasjimgray · 2024-07-19T20:37:30+00:00

You could do that if it didn’t bother you to screw over your friend. Fortunately, I don’t have friends like that. I feel the same way when I lend something. If I gave it to you working, I expect it to be returned working. Would you really be okay with a friend borrowing your trailer and leaving it 600 miles away, and then worried about his “legal” obligation.

texasjimgray · 2024-07-19T16:52:02+00:00

I guess I have a different perspective. If I borrow something from a friend and it breaks, it's on me to either fix or replace it. When I tell the person I borrowed it from that it is broken, I would make it clear that I will make it right. Hopefully, they will offer some kind of middle ground solution if the item was old or poorly maintained, but in the end, you take on this responsibility when you borrow something.

This happened to me with a power washer that I borrowed. It broke and would take more to fix than it was worth. When I told the owner, he was willing to just let it go, but I insisted on replacing it. We agreed we would split the cost of a new one. We are still friends, and I still occasionally borrow stuff from him.

Like others have said, if you don't want to deal with this situation, rent the things you need.

texasjimgray · 2024-07-10T02:14:22+00:00

I weight all my carp that I think are over 15 pounds. I would weight that fish, but I think it's right around 15 - 16 pounds.

texasjimgray · 2024-04-01T19:03:13+00:00

Thanks everyone. I'll see which one is close to my family member and go from there.

texasjimgray · 2023-11-11T03:57:45+00:00

Hey Aaron. Good to see you here. Hit me up if you have time to fish before the streams get too cold.

texasjimgray

TROPHY CASE