Fly Tying Vise Advice

[Cameron Abbott]

I have gotten into fly tying this year and started with a vise in a starter kit upon some good advice to use and see what it is i want instead of spending money on a vise before i knew what i wanted. Well i am pretty sure what i want now but am torn between three different vises. I thought i would put it out to the group to get any advice or experience you all might have. From the research i have done on these vises, i can't go wrong with either of them. They are as follows:

- Peak rotary
- Renzetti Traveler 2300
- Griffin Montana Mongoose

I am leaning towards the Griffin because i like the jaws on it but want to get input from the group. Thanks!

Cameron

[Yang Chang]

I have renzetti traveler 2000 for saltwater flies, dry flies, and nymphs. Really like it. No experience with other two. Good luck!

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[Matt S.]

You'll get a lot of opinions but would probably be very well served with any of those. Pick one and start tying! I tie on a Peak pedestal and am 100% happy with my decision. Since buying I added the extension thingie for the rotation whatsit, and a material spring. I may buy midge jaws someday to try tying tiny stuff but have not really needed to (and hey they sell tiny flies at fly shops and I rarely have fished them anyway).

Now, if you try a lot of tiny flies; really need the adjustability to have small hook shanks perfectly in line with axis of rotation; are tying for max volume/speed; and/or don't mind spending more money there are probably other designs that you should consider. Ditto if you like the unique simplicity of the Regal style (I do). I've not tried tube flies or Peak's setup for that so don't know what might be best there.

But all that said, the Peak is a very solid American made vise, and about $150 I recall.

[Matt S.]

I should clarify that by "tiny" I meant below size 22 down to obscenely small 32's (!) like they SELL at Elk Springs fly shop for the adventurous anglers trying to match the sulpher hatch and using 8x and finer tippets to catch huge rainbows. I may try it for fun when I'm out there this May but I'd buy the flies. I'm not that skilled or patient and the hooks would disappear in the Peak's standard jaws.

[TurbineBlade]

We'll be at Elk next weekend -- I'll always take a few 32s out there in case there's one of those highly-selective midge days on, but it's just a river like anywhere else -- same techniques work.  

My Dyna-king ties (advertised) down to #22 but in practice it holds even the 32s decently.  My *typical patterns are #22-14, and it does those so well I can't even imagine how any other vise could work any better.  I love that thing -- it's a great piece of equipment.  

Gene

[Matt S.]

Don't want to hijack the thread--but have fun out at elk Gene and be sure to post a report! For what it's worth when I was last out there in the summer Dave Breitmeyer (sp?) pointed out natural sulfur specimens around the lamp light outside that were significantly smaller than a size 32. And of course the trout eat those, too! Nature is amazing.