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Open Forums => Open Boards Viewable By Guests => Flies And Tying => Topic started by: Kenster197 on January 28, 2014, 09:42:16 PM

Title: 1st attempt at the basics.
Post by: Kenster197 on January 28, 2014, 09:42:16 PM
So I got the unused fly-tying kit out of the cupboard, loaded up numerous beginners tutorials on "You Tube" and decided to have a wee bash at learning some of the basics for an hour or two. Just repeatedly doing the initial tie-on, then tying on a feather, taking it off, tying it back on, and then the infamous whip-finish over and over again (the hook was about 4mm thick by the time I finished. As footery as it all was, I could kinda see how a lot of it (whip-finish especially) might just suddenly "click" through repetition. I did notice that the thread I was using seemed to be splitting into 3 or 4 individual strands as I was wrapping it around the hook, crap quality thread I presume? Anyway, stopped before I got too frustrated but looking forward to having another go tomorrow.
Title: Re: 1st attempt at the basics.
Post by: bushy palmer on January 28, 2014, 10:46:12 PM
I was introduced to flytying at a very early age. At first the whip finish was beyond me and hence I was at first shown how to finish the flies using the half hitch
Half Hitch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjZo7WFkS-Q#)

Some of my flytying "thread" in the brighter colours is actually floss and this tends to want to separate. For me it's not usually a problem but if I'm doing more delicate work and don't want it to split I'll rub on a little tying wax.
Title: Re: 1st attempt at the basics.
Post by: Suki1312 on January 28, 2014, 10:55:58 PM
Could be utc thread your using it has a habit of splitting . Better with sheer 14/0 use it for trout or salmon flies very thin and strong as an ox .
Title: Re: 1st attempt at the basics.
Post by: Kenster197 on January 28, 2014, 10:59:14 PM
Ahhh, Is tying wax likely to be the 50p sized orange block thing (about 1cm thick) that's in a wee bag in the kit unnamed?

The thread is UNI-thread W 6/0 (measured in yards so I'm guessing pretty old)
Title: Re: 1st attempt at the basics.
Post by: bushy palmer on January 28, 2014, 11:04:05 PM
Quote from: Kenster197 on January 28, 2014, 10:59:14 PM
Ahhh, Is tying wax likely to be the 50p sized orange block thing

That sounds about right.

Most threads are prewaxed these days but there are still occasions when you'll use it. It's handy for other things like dubbing very small flies but lets stick to the basics for now- try rubbing that up and down the thread a couple of times while the bobbin holder is hanging below the hook- that should stop your thread from splitting :D
Title: Re: 1st attempt at the basics.
Post by: Kenster197 on January 28, 2014, 11:09:19 PM
Cheers Brian, appreciate that.
Title: Re: 1st attempt at the basics.
Post by: bushy palmer on January 28, 2014, 11:10:24 PM
You're welcome- look forward to the pictures of your first offerings. :)