[Barry Robertson]

What does everyone expect to pay for a good quality fly??
I have been selling quite a few flies lately and just wondered what people who buy flies would consider expensive for a fly?
I think some people expect alot for there money in this day in age and dont appreciate a good fly when they see one.
Personally if i was to break both my wrists and couldnt tie a fly i would quite happily pay £1 a fly for a fly tied by a good tyer rather than pay £1 for a fly that came straight from Kenya!
Any thoughts much appreciated as always 
Baz

[Noel Kelly]

I am happy to pay £1/fly for drys/wets. I would try to get simpler tyings a bit cheaper say 12/14 for £10 so would watch for bargains.
I have paid up to £1.30 for flys in the past, normally wets and have no complaints about them.

[Sandy Nelson]

If i was forced in a similar vane to Baz, ie no hands or feet, then i would be happy to pay for decent flies.

When i was in the states last year, i needed some flies and i bought the ones tied by the guy in the flyshop rather than the commercial ones, they were 50% more but way nicer and i figured he was making them because they worked in the local area (a bit like me as a fly tyer at home)

As for cost, how long is a piece of silk, some of the Saltwater flies i've been tying must use more than 3 quids worth of materials in each fly, how does that equate to a retail price
I think the ones i bought in Florida were about $6 each and i didn't really baulk too much, i only bought 7-8 flies though and then had most of them shredded by the bluefish

how do you measure value? If a fly that catches a fish is worth more than one that doesn't, one that catches 3 must be worth more. I could make a fortune out of red hooks applying that logic

Cool

Sandy

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

I agree with AC and Sandy, the price I would be willing to pay for a fly would depend on the fly.  Other factors would be the service, by this I mean that I would be willing to pay more for flies that were tied to me specification.
Before I started tying my own flies I was happy to pay £1 upwards for Donegal flies.  If I had more input into the tying of the flies I would be willing to pay upwards of £1.50.  However for simple patterns, such as very basic black buzzers, I would not be willing to spend so much.

Robbie

[Jim Eddie]

Personally I do not mind paying a reasonable price for flies, however I am not typical nor are the other replies. most folk will go to the cheap and nasty sites and buy wets for £0.20 etc.

 

Jim

[Peter McCallum]

Yep Jim you couldn't make a living out of tying flies in britain unless you go for the big buck salmon flies (preferably with a never fail gimmic). The initial outlay in hooks, materials, etc is huge and would take years to recoup.

[Paul Garrigan]

Up till recently when i started tying again i have always bought flies from shops/mail order. I have been stung a few times with stuff i would not use. I generaly look for fulling mill flies if in a shop as i find them good quality. They are a liittle dearer but well worth it. Going rate is about £1 - £1.30.

When buying from  professional tyers i would and have paid more than this for flies. I have ordered flies to be tied to my own design and i can honestly say i have never been disappointed by these purchases. Well worth the extra £ and sometimes the extra wait.

Paul

[Barry Robertson]

Thanks for all the the thoughts lads!

I think what makes the fly worth its money is that :
1. Its a proven pattern that takes fish and is not available over the counter , making it unique.
2. Tied with the best of materials and not royd hooks for example.
3. Tied to a standard that will last more than a few fish and not fall apart.

I dont intend to make a fortune from selling the odd selection here and there but it will help pay for lines and tackle for next season a little.
I have made a wee portfollio up of flies tied by myself now and have sent it to people who have asked about flies, things are looking good 
Iam going to be busy for a few nights already now 

Cheers
Baz
 

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

Some of the above comments have reminded me that when first started flytying, I thought I could save money.  How wrong can you be?

Good luck to you Baz.  Sounds like you have cracked the first hurdle and created a demand.

Robbie

[Jim Eddie]

Thanks for all the the thoughts lads!

I think what makes the fly worth its money is that :
1. Its a proven pattern that takes fish and is not available over the counter , making it unique.
2. Tied with the best of materials and not royd hooks for example.
3. Tied to a standard that will last more than a few fish and not fall apart.

I dont intend to make a fortune from selling the odd selection here and there but it will help pay for lines and tackle for next season a little.
I have made a wee portfollio up of flies tied by myself now and have sent it to people who have asked about flies, things are looking good 
Iam going to be busy for a few nights already now 

Cheers
Baz
 

2 and 3 Baz, 1 does not exist

 

Jim

[Tiam]

I would expect to pay around the £1 mark for a good quality fly, as long as it catches fish

Tiam

[Barry Robertson]

2 and 3 Baz, 1 does not exist

 

Jim

Jim,
Those traffic light buzzers on black hooks are unique and cant be bought over the counter and if i remember correctly the caught you plenty fish 
But i know what you are saying, you can fish with the best of flies but they wont gaurantee you to catch fish! But they will sure as hell help 

[Jim Eddie]

Not unique now Baz you just gave the secret away 

Like those flexi cats . Came out a couple of years ago and now you can get them anywhere.

 

Jim 

[Barry Robertson]

Not unique now Baz you just gave the secret away 

Like those flexi cats . Came out a couple of years ago and now you can get them anywhere.

 

Jim 

Bit more than a black hook jim, Iam sure the secret is safe for a wee while yet 
Anyway wheres your Pm with an order   

[Jim Eddie]

You know me Baz I like a freebie 

 

Jim

[Alex Burnett]

Baz

Having just recieved the flies you sent me I don't think you will
have any problems selling your flies, you might have a problem keeping
up with demand once word get out.

Alex

[Noel Kelly]

I also have recieved some excellent flies, thanks baz A further order will be heading your way as soon as I get a minute to think about it   

[Iain Goolager]

Well done Baz.

I'm not much of a tyer - half a dozen here a couple there, mostly I'll tie up the evening before a trip which enhances the anticipation. I guess I've a good few grands worth of materials so does it make sense to make rather than buy?  for me, Absolutely- building rods, furled leaders, lines (Mike), for example bring new dimensions to the 'sport' but for me the biggest thrill is having the fish endorse your evenings labours at the vise.

I very very seldom buy flies - perhaps a tying I like as a template or if I'm stuck somewhere but I've used the 19p cheap and cheerfulls and they are exactly that, pitifull.

Flies buy the dozen was my usual haunt as a youngster and I still have boxes of their flies which were excellent value.

Fulling Mill stuff looks very good - like their new range of river stuff.

£1.00 sub surface - £1.25 on the top for Trout flies  - bespoke service  hard to say

Iain