The one thing that is not neccesarrily a must but has for sure made my flies neater is a good vice. I started with a $40 vise and resetting your hook constantly after the jaws wear out is quite the pain. My first three flies were the good ol' SJW, clouser, and hares ear. be fore warned my friend, this makes a guy wanna fish and spend money on new hooks, foam, dubbing, flash, beads alll the time