I've been trying for a while Skunk master. Kits are ok, but, you'll out grow it quickly. That and, the hardware you get with a kit is usually pretty poor.
Get a good vise from the start. I've used a Danvise for quite a few years now with few complaints. Still holds a hook solidly. You can pick one up on eBay for under $100. That you won't regret.
Aside from a decent pair of Dr. Slick scissors, a bobbin, hackle pliars and whip finisher...you don't need all that much. You'll need a good light too. Fluorescent light stinks for tying. LED in a 4100k color works best for me.
Decide what you want to tie. It's important to focus on some really good basic flies to start. Wooly Buggers and Hare's Ear come to mind. Good basic streamer patterns like Micky Finn, Dace and Clouser patterns are great to learn with and will produce fish. Foam flies for gills and bass are a ton of fun to tie and even more fun to use. Get on YouTube and watch some videos (I'll be doing quite a few this winter). I watch Davie McPhail a lot. He's the best!
Materials are everywhere. Cheap bulk stuff like craft foam and yarn can be found at Walmart. Other more specific materials can be harder to come by locally sometimes, but can be had online. Fur and feathers are everywhere. But, again, you'll end up buying some of the specific stuff. Nothing around here has Marabou feathers
I've spent hours collecting goose flight feathers for biots at the town park. I've harvested countless squirrel tails, buck tail, deer hair, raccoon fur and tails, fox tail, even a mink or two from road kill. Friends have saved turkey, duck and muskrat for me in exchange for jigs and flies. I've bought whole tanned raccoon hide and a scrap bag full of coyote fur for peanuts off eBay. I've used plastic bags, rubber gloves, embroidery thread parrot feathers (sent by a friend) .......more stuff than I can remember.
If there's something you can't find, let me know and I'll send you some. I've been known to send a starter package of stuff to new tiers. Heaven knows I have enough.
I think it's important to have a place to tie. If you dedicate a small space to it, you'll be more focused. I get lost at the bench, completely engrossed in what I'm doing. My latest setup is on what was my reloading bench. I don't hunt or shoot target any more. Haven't in years. So I sold off my reloading stuff and re-arranged my little basement shop to make more room.
I tied a lot in my younger years. I lost everything for tying in a basement flood 20 or so years ago. Trapper got me going again and I'm forever greatful. I'm getting a little better at it every day. There's always room for improvement.
Good luck and have fun,
Rg
