I'd echo what Scott said and pick up a decent vise and tools separately, rather than going with a kit, which likely includes sub-par equipment.
For most flies, all you need is a vise, bobbin, and scissors--the hair stackers, dubbing spinners, hackle pliers, and other tools can be picked up later if you need to tie flies that need it.
Staying under $150, I think you can put together a good kit, that will last forever and be less frustrating than the equipment that comes in a kit. I'd look at the entry-level vises from the high-profile companies; specifically the non-rotary models from Regal, Peak, and Renzetti are all around or under $100. The kit vises will break on you, and unless you get the tension perfect, your hooks will be sliding around. For scissors, Dr. Slick are good and should run you another $15-20--again, as Scott mentioned cheap scissors are the worst. For a bobbin, a cheap bobbin will shred your thread and you'll constantly break it off if you put much tension at all--a ceramic tipped or ceramic tubed bobbin will alleviate this and keep your thread from breaking. A good bobbin is $15-30, I specifically recommend use a Tiemco ceramic tube bobbin.
I think my recommended combo is the Clearwater of set-ups--it's not the top of the line gear but it is fully functional and won't hold you back any way. The pre-packaged kits I've used are the equivalent of a Wal-Mart 5wt with level-line.
Dalton
-- For most flies, all you need is a vise, bobbin, and scissors--the hair stackers, dubbing spinners, hackle pliers, and other tools can be picked up later if you need to tie flies that need it.
Staying under $150, I think you can put together a good kit, that will last forever and be less frustrating than the equipment that comes in a kit. I'd look at the entry-level vises from the high-profile companies; specifically the non-rotary models from Regal, Peak, and Renzetti are all around or under $100. The kit vises will break on you, and unless you get the tension perfect, your hooks will be sliding around. For scissors, Dr. Slick are good and should run you another $15-20--again, as Scott mentioned cheap scissors are the worst. For a bobbin, a cheap bobbin will shred your thread and you'll constantly break it off if you put much tension at all--a ceramic tipped or ceramic tubed bobbin will alleviate this and keep your thread from breaking. A good bobbin is $15-30, I specifically recommend use a Tiemco ceramic tube bobbin.
I think my recommended combo is the Clearwater of set-ups--it's not the top of the line gear but it is fully functional and won't hold you back any way. The pre-packaged kits I've used are the equivalent of a Wal-Mart 5wt with level-line.
Dalton
http://www.tpfr.org
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