So you kind of have to buy the tools all at once. I wish there was a way around that, because it’s not an insignificant spend. That first bunch of cash is going to be a one-time spend of between $250 and $425. If you want to go cheap on the vise (which is your biggest single tying expense) to start, you can kick the can down the road. Eventually, I think your tool spend will be in the range I’ve budgeted but if that’s going to get in the way of you getting started then absolutely kick that can.
The next bit of cash to leave your account, let’s call it for “staples”, is going to come to around $175. These are the materials that are going to tie multiple batches of flies. You may replace these materials once a year or even every other year. For easier math I’m going to describe this as a purchase you make all at once, but you absolutely don’t have to and probably shouldn’t. You should pick a pattern and pick up just the staples that the pattern requires. As you move through the pattern list, you’ll start to find you already have some of the stuff. Won’t happen as much as you would like, but sometimes.
The final bit of money is for what I’ll term “consumables”. This is the tie one fly use one widget materials. Basically, it’s the hooks and beads. You also don’t have to buy these all at once, and it’s even likely you will tie a new pattern and already have all of the hooks and/or beads you need. Which is good, because this is another area that gets spendy.
So here’s a strategy. Get thee to your fly shop and let them help you pick out tools that fit into the proposed number. Choose a couple of patterns that you think are a.) appropriate for your current skill level and b.) are likely to catch the fish you are closest to. Buy only the staples and consumables that those patterns require. Tie those two patterns until you have three of each in a couple colors and sizes and go fish them. Get the design dialed in then tie as many as you can until you run through the consumables or you just get bored. Choose a couple more patterns and get back to the shop. Pretty soon, you’ll have built a box of your own flies.
Mission Accomplished.