5 Best Fly Tying Kits for Beginners: Ranked & Reviewed

Buying fly tying tools separately will cost you $200-$450 upfront. You pick up a bobbin and scissors, then realize you're still missing hackle pliers and a whip finisher. Before you know it, you've spent twice what a complete fishing kit would've cost you.

This guide bundles everything you need to start tying right away. We’ll rank the top 5 beginner fly fishing kits, explain what separates quality tools from junk, and help you choose based on whether you're tying for trout, bass, or saltwater species.

Let’s get started.

This breakdown gives you a quick sense of where each kit fits.

Fly Tying Kits	Price	What's Included
Wild Water Deluxe	$130	5/6 wt 9 ft fly rod, aluminum fly reel, 18 flies with a waterproof fly box, nipper, zinger, and more
Orvis Premium	$200-250	Vise, tools, 60+ flies, and a set of fishing materials like nippers
Wapsi Deluxe	$80-100	C-clamp vise, 30-40 flies, and basic tools and materials
Kingfisher Clarkfork	$140-180	Rotary vise, tools, 40 flies, and materials similar to Orvis
Gunnison Deluxe	$60-80	Basic vise, tools, and starter materials like vise wobbles

If you're serious about fishing, choose fly-fishing kits that include the materials needed for specific patterns. We always recommend checking out terrestrial patterns for summer fishing or looking through saltwater patterns if you're tying for the coast.

As you read through, take note of how you plan to fish and how much you want to spend. Do you want long-term tools, the best value under $100, or a low-cost way to test fly tying?

To help you out, here are our handpicked 5 best fly fishing kits:

The Orvis Premium provides vise and tools that will last 5+ years of regular tying. You're not replacing scissors after 6 months or upgrading your vise after a year, as you would with cheaper tool kits.

This kit includes hook sizes 10-18 for dries and nymphs, dubbing and chenille, plus hackle and feathers for 60+ flies. It works well for trout patterns like Woolly Buggers, Elk Hair Caddis, and Prince Nymph.

Here’s the downside: the Orvis Premium Fly Fishing Kit is expensive at $200-250. If you want a fishing kit under $100, the Wapsi Deluxe we’ve covered below is right for you.

At $80-100, the Wapsi gives you quality without the premium price tag. Its C-clamp vise holds hook sizes 8-18, and the tools feel solid when you're working with them. Also, you’ll get a ceramic bobbin, scissors, hackle pliers, and materials for 30-40 standard trout flies.

Sounds good for the price? Well, it comes with these trade-offs:

•  No rotary function (vise is stationary)
•  Fewer material colors than premium kits
• The C-clamp takes longer to set up than the pedestal base

If you’re a beginner angler who wants quality tools but isn't ready to drop $200, the Wapsi Starter Kit is right for you. Start trying any of these trout fly patterns to get comfortable with the basics before buying specialty materials.

You get a true rotary vise for $140-180 with Kingfisher Kits, not just a swivel head like some kits try to pass off. The Clarkfork rotary lets you spin the hook 360 degrees while keeping tension, which really speeds up hackle wrapping and ribbing.

Here is what’s inside the box:

• Clarkfork rotary vise with C-clamp base
• Standard tying tools (bobbin, scissors, hackle pliers, bodkin)
• Materials for about 40 flies
• Thread, hooks, dubbing, and basic feathers

Is it worth it? Yes, if you prefer palmering hackle on dry flies. Instead of wrapping around a stationary hook, you just spin the vise, and the hackle wraps itself. Try tying a Blue Winged Olive to see how the rotary vise can improve your technique.

Cons: You'll get fewer materials than the Orvis, so you'll need additional hooks and thread after using the 40 flies.

At $60-80, the Gunnison River Deluxe Kit is your entry point for fly-tying without a high upfront investment. The tools are functional, but they're not built for the long haul. You get a basic C-clamp vise that holds hooks 10-16, standard scissors, a plastic bobbin, and starter materials for 15-20 flies.

Here’s what makes it reliable: the vise wobbles under tension, and the scissors dull quickly after cutting wire or thick materials. You'll probably want to upgrade the vise for $40-60 and scissors for $15-25 within the first year if tying becomes your hobby.

You've got the kit, now let's talk about how to set it up and start tying your flies.

But before you do, make sure you understand how to choose the right fly for trout, so the flies you tie surely match what trout are feeding on.

Let’s get into how to tie the flies from your kit.

We always recommend mastering these steps on how to tie a fly on simple patterns like the Woolly Bugger before moving on to advanced flies. To get started, follow these steps:

Position the hook in the vise jaws with the point and barb exposed below. The shank should sit level. Tighten until the hook doesn't move when you tug gently. If it rotates even slightly, tighten more because loose hooks cause materials to slip and wraps to bunch unevenly.

Start the thread about one-quarter hook length behind the eye. Hold the tag end against the hook shank and wrap five to six overlapping turns toward the rear. Leave a 3- to 4-inch tag end hanging.

Don't trim it yet. Once you've wrapped the base layer, then cut the tag end close to the shank. Our guide on how to tie a clinch knot covers the basics of secure connections.

Proper tail length runs 2 to 3 times the hook gap width. All you need to do is position the fibers on top of the shank at the bend and bind them with 4 to 5 tight wraps.

Our best tip for beginners is to use a Woolly Bugger because its marabou tail is equal to the hook shank length. Check out our Bead Head Black Woolly Bugger kit or look through nymph patterns to see different tail styles.

Once you set up the tail, wrap the body material from it to the eye in a series of touching turns. Each wrap should sit directly next to the previous one, with no gaps. When you reach the eye, lock it down with three to four thread wraps.

Quick Tip: Keep the bodies slim because bulky bodies don't sink right. You can find pattern-specific materials in our fly tying material kits, including those for Parachute Hopper and Orange Stimulator, and Bead Head Stonefly.

Next up, position the feature material wherever the pattern calls for it, then lock it in place with 3 to 5 tight thread wraps. Be sure to trim any excess material near the shank to keep it balanced.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Dry Flies: Add a hackle collar and adjust its fiber length to match the hook gap.
• Streamers: Tie in wings so they extend just past the hook bend. Keep materials sparse so you can create a natural movement and better imitate baitfish.
• Nymphs: Add rubber legs or a wing case on each side of the hook. Keep them short and even to create that soft motion without making the fly feel bulky.

Pro Tip: Wet materials before positioning them so they lay flat and don't twist.

Now, it’s time to wrap a smooth thread head with 5 to 6 wraps directly behind the hook eye. To do this, create a whip finish knot by wrapping the thread 4 to 5 times around itself, then pulling it tight. You can cut the thread close to the knot. A whip finish tool makes this easier for beginners. Keep the head small, probably 1/8 inch or less.

Now that you know the top beginner fly-tying kits, the next step is simple: choose the kit that matches your goals and start tying.

• Choose the Wild Water Deluxe Kit for the upgraded combo of tools, materials, and value, with 18+ flies included.
• Choose Wapsi if you want a decent fly-fishing kit for under $100.
• Start with the Gunnison River Kit if you’re just testing your hobby with minimal investment.

Once your kit arrives, don’t overthink it. Set up a small tying space, follow one basic pattern, and tie 5-10 Woolly Buggers or Pheasant Tail Nymphs in one sitting. Repetition builds skill faster than reading or watching videos online.

Read our beginner's guide to fly fishing for a complete walkthrough of what you need, from setting up your outfit to fixing common fly fishing issues before you start your fishing trip.