Best Fly Tying Kits for Beginners: 5 Picks to Tie Your First Flies
A beginner fly tying kit should do one job well: let you tie your first dozen flies without a second...
By James
Updated November 11, 2026
A beginner fly tying kit should do one job well: let you tie your first dozen flies without a second trip to the fly shop. That means a vise that holds a hook firmly, a bobbin, scissors, a whip finisher, enough thread, hooks, and materials for a few simple patterns, plus instructions you can follow.
This guide compares five fly tying kits for beginners from Wetfly, Creative Angler, Wapsi, Ninnifly, and Dr. Slick. Four are starter kits with materials; one is a quality tool set for when you outgrow the tools in a cheap kit. We compared what each maker says is in the box. If you already know you want a better vise, see our fly tying vises guide.
Our Top Picks
| Best for | Product | FH Score About FH ScoreThe FH Score is our editorial rating from 0 to 10, based on published specs, materials, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings and is never influenced by commissions. Learn more › | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |
Wetfly Deluxe Fly Tying Vise and Tools Kit
|
7.7/10 | Check Price |
| Best rotary vise kit |
Creative Angler Z797 Wooden Fly Tying Kit
|
7.5/10 | Check Price |
| Best for learning patterns |
Wapsi Fly Tying Starter Kit
|
6.7/10 | Check Price |
| Best for travel |
Ninnifly Beginner Fly Tying Kit
|
6.8/10 | Check Price |
| Best tool upgrade |
Dr. Slick Fly Tying Tool Gift Set
|
7.3/10 | Check Price |
The Picks in Detail
Wetfly Deluxe Fly Tying Vise and Tools Kit
Why it made the list: This kit covers the basics in one box. It includes a Super AA-style vise with a C-clamp, the core tools (scissors, hackle pliers, hair stacker, bobbin, and bobbin threader), natural materials such as hackle, dubbing, and marabou, hooks, and an instruction book and DVD. Wetfly lists 24 items in all.
Key specs: 24 items; Super AA vise with C-clamp; scissors; hackle pliers; hair stacker; bobbin; bobbin threader; natural materials; hooks; instruction book and DVD.
Skip it if: you want to spin the fly to check proportions. The Creative Angler kit has a rotary vise.
Pros
- Vise, tools, materials, and instructions in one kit
- Hair stacker included, which many starter kits skip
- Strong value
Cons
- Super AA-style vises use a cam jaw that is basic, not rotary
- A DVD is less handy than online video for many tiers
Creative Angler Z797 Wooden Fly Tying Kit
Why it made the list: A rotary vise lets you turn the hook to see the back of the fly and wrap materials more evenly. This kit pairs one with a bobbin, scissors, whip finisher, threader, bodkin, dubbing twister, hackle pliers, and a selection of feathers, fur, thread, and synthetics, all in a wooden box that keeps everything in one place.
Key specs: rotary vise; bobbin; bobbin threader; bodkin; dubbing twister; hackle pliers; scissors; whip finisher; feathers, fur, thread, and synthetic materials; wooden storage box. The listing title calls it a standard tool kit, while its bullets refer to a Colorado Anglers kit. Check the photos to confirm the contents.
Skip it if: you want a printed pattern guide in the box. The Wapsi kit is built around one.
Pros
- Rotary vise at a starter price
- Full tool set, including whip finisher and dubbing twister
- Wooden box keeps the desk tidy
Cons
- Listing names and contents are inconsistent
- Instructions are not described in detail
Wapsi Fly Tying Starter Kit
Why it made the list: Wapsi is a manufacturer and wholesale distributor of fly tying materials. Its starter kit is built around a goal: Wapsi says it includes the tools and materials to tie 10 trout flies, with a handbook of step-by-step instructions. That structure helps beginners who do not know which materials go with which pattern.
Key specs: tools and materials for 10 trout fly patterns; Wapsi Fly Tying Handbook with step-by-step instructions. Wapsi’s Deluxe kit expands to 17 patterns, and its Super Deluxe kit adds an upgraded vise. Check the listing photos to confirm which vise ships with this version.
Skip it if: you want a large pile of materials to experiment with. The Ninnifly and Wetfly kits include more pieces.
Pros
- Materials matched to specific patterns
- Step-by-step handbook
- Established materials brand
Cons
- Fewer patterns than the larger kits
- Listing gives little detail on the vise and tools
Ninnifly Beginner Fly Tying Kit
Why it made the list: This kit comes in a compact travel case and includes two ceramic-tip bobbins, which makes switching thread colors easier. Ninnifly says the kit has over 100 pieces, including a vise, feathers, threads, metal tools, hooks, and dubbing, with a QR code that links to step-by-step instructions.
Key specs: 100+ pieces; vise; two ceramic-tip bobbins; tools; hooks; feathers, thread, and dubbing; travel case; QR-code video instructions. The listing says the kit can tie 60 flies in one place and gives materials for 3 staple patterns in another, so expect a modest supply of materials.
Skip it if: you tie only at home. A wooden box kit or a larger desk setup is easier to work from.
Pros
- Compact travel case
- Two ceramic-tip bobbins
- Video instructions by QR code
Cons
- Listing is unclear on how many flies the materials cover
- Smaller brand with few published specs
Dr. Slick Fly Tying Tool Gift Set
Why it made the list: Dr. Slick makes fly tying tools and fishing forceps. This set has seven commonly used tools in a case that doubles as a double-foam fly box. It does not include a vise or materials, so it fits a beginner who has a vise and wants better scissors and tools than a cheap kit provides.
Key specs: 7 tools, including a solid brass weighted tool; case doubles as a waterproof double-foam fly box. No vise and no materials.
Skip it if: you are starting from nothing. Buy a complete kit first, such as the Wetfly.
Pros
- Well-regarded tool maker
- Case becomes a fly box
- Good gift for a new tier
Cons
- No vise or materials
- Listing does not name every tool
Fly Tying Kits Compared
| Kit | Vise | Materials | Instructions | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wetfly Deluxe | Super AA-style, C-clamp | Yes, natural materials and hooks | Book and DVD | Not stated |
| Creative Angler Z797 | Rotary | Yes | Not detailed | Wooden box |
| Wapsi Starter | Check listing | Yes, for 10 trout flies | Handbook | Not stated |
| Ninnifly | Yes | Yes, 100+ pieces total | QR-code video | Travel case |
| Dr. Slick set | No | No | No | Foam fly box case |
How We Picked
We did not tie flies with these kits for this guide. We researched each one and compared the contents published by the makers and in their Amazon listings. Our criteria:
- Completeness: vise, bobbin, scissors, whip finisher, hooks, thread, and materials.
- Vise type: a firm hold matters more than features; rotary is a plus.
- Instructions a beginner can follow, ideally tied to specific patterns.
- Clear listings: we flag kits whose contents are described inconsistently.
- Value.
The FH Score in each product box is our editorial rating, built from five weighted criteria: performance for the job, build quality, versatility, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings. See how it works on our How We Review page.
How to Choose a Fly Tying Kit
The vise matters most
The vise must hold a hook without slipping when you pull thread tight. Cheap cam-jaw vises work for common hook sizes. Rotary vises let you turn the fly to wrap materials and inspect both sides. Clamp bases attach to a table edge; pedestal bases sit anywhere but need weight to stay put.
Tools you need on day one
A bobbin, sharp fine-tip scissors, a whip finisher, a bobbin threader, hackle pliers, and a bodkin cover most beginner patterns. A hair stacker helps with elk hair caddis and other hair patterns.
Start with simple patterns
Woolly buggers, zebra midges, pheasant tail nymphs, and elk hair caddis teach the basic skills: thread control, wrapping, tailing, and finishing. A kit with materials for these flies gets you fishing your own flies sooner.
Plan to upgrade
Most tiers outgrow kit scissors and bobbins first. If you keep tying, a better vise and tools are a good next step, and the kit materials will still be useful.
Related Guides
- Best Fly Tying Vises
- Best Fly Fishing Flies for Bass
- Best Beginner Fly Fishing Kits
- Best 5 Weight Fly Rods
- Best Dry Fly Hooks
See more in our Fly Tying section.
FAQ
Is fly tying hard to learn?
Simple patterns are not. Most beginners can tie a usable woolly bugger or midge in their first session with clear instructions.
Is it cheaper to tie your own flies?
It can be over time, once you own tools and bulk materials. At first, most people tie for the satisfaction and to have patterns that shops do not carry.
Do I need a rotary vise as a beginner?
No. A firm-holding fixed vise works fine. Rotary vises make some steps easier and help you check your work.
What flies should I tie first?
Woolly buggers, zebra midges, and pheasant tail nymphs. They use few materials and teach the core skills.
Final Thoughts
The Wetfly Deluxe kit is our top pick because it bundles a vise, a full tool set, materials, and instructions at a low cost. Choose the Creative Angler Z797 for a rotary vise in a wooden box, the Wapsi Starter Kit for pattern-based learning, the Ninnifly kit for travel, and the Dr. Slick set when you are ready to upgrade your tools.
About the author
James writes reviews and buying guides for Fishing Hacking, covering rods, reels, line, lures, and the gear anglers rely on. His work focuses on clear criteria, balanced pros and cons, and practical advice to help readers choose equipment that fits how and where they fish.