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3. What do I have, what do I need?

This is a great story (I think). I went to my neighborhood mom and pop fishing and gunsmith shop to get a new flybox and casually asked about vises. The original owner passed away last year and his oldest daughter took over. The place has been open since late 60s. At first she told me they don't sell vises anymore since they downsized after the death of her father. Long story short the 3 kids fought over the business after he passed and 2 of them wanted to liquidate the store and divide it up. She bought the 2 siblings out and moved to a smaller store front. So I'm just shooting the poop with the gunsmith who has been there since the beginning and the daughter says, "oh wait just a minute I think I got something that might interest you." So she goes over to this filing cabinet and pulls out this old box. It's an old tying kit. She offered it to me for $15 and threw in an old Thompson vice, some clear lacquer, an assortment of about a 100 hooks, some scissors, and a fly tying book. The kit came with a bobbin and some type of clamp with an assortment of ribbons, yarn, and feathers. I wasn't going to start until spring but since I ran into this I might as well start now!!!
< />< />20201201_142804 by < />Ryan Norris, on Flickr
< />< />20201201_142813 by < />Ryan Norris, on Flickr
< />< />20201201_142841 by < />Ryan Norris, on Flickr
< />< />20201201_142849 by < />Ryan Norris, on Flickr
< />< />20201201_142906 by < />Ryan Norris, on Flickr

I feel like this could be one of those deals you come across at a garage sale or something like that. Did I hit the jackpot? What say you? What else do I need to start tying flies?

Cool, nice vise, and the clamp thing are your hackle pliers. Herters has not been around for along time, so maybe the head cement may not be usable. Looks like you have enough to get started, and then you can go nuts! I'm a prime example. But really its a wonderful hobby and now with the internet you have access to so many patterns and techniques. And that would were I would start, if you have some patterns for your streams in mind just goggle them and I think you will be amazed at the info out there. Maybe a class at your local fly shop or T.U. club, there are lots of folks out there who are willing to help.
Mike.

Cool. I started with a Thomson Vise, and tied many flies on it. It's a classic. If the head cement is still liquid, you might thin it with something like laquer thinner or acetone and actually use it--but it may be too old, as Mike said. I often use nail polish for head cement, and it can easily be thinned with acetone. Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails is good stuff. I coat thread bodies for Zebra Midges and Iron Lotuses with it too, starting with one thinned coat to penetrate, then a thicker coat to seal (I keep several bottles, some thinned more, some less). Have fun!

Blast from the past, I started with that same kit in mid 1960s. Bought it at a sportng goods store in Muskegon Heights, MI. Also bought the only copy they had of the Traver's Anatomy of a Fisherman. My dad about killed me when he saw what I spent all the $$ I had. What a life it started.

I wouldn't say you hit the 4jackpot but the Herter's book is an awesome look into the past. I have had one for 30 years and while I've never read it cover to cover there are some neat reads in it about all sorts of fly fishing topics. The vise will be fine until you think you need more versatility.