Fly tying tips

OK, lets start a new thread here, Fly Tying tips.

Now make this a short discussion as it is not about tying a specific fly, ok.

Here would be a couple of examples to kick this thread off.

If you are going to wind a lead underbody for a number of flies. The most efficient way is to put the lead spool in a bobbin holder. You will waste far less and it is way easier to wind a neat lead underbody.

Thread control is one of the most important factors when tying. Tension of the thread spool held in the arms of the bobbin should be set so as when you wish for the thread to unwind from the spool it should do so easily and not require for you to have to use excessive pressure for it to do so.
If it does then adjust the bobbin arms.

Oh Davy, this is my favorite. We've done this once before on the forum, but let's add to it now.

Tip: Everyone uses a coffee bean grinder to blend dubbing. The problem is that the dubbing fibers tend to stick on the clear dome due to static, and fail to make contact with the spinning blade. When they stick to the dome, they don't mix evenly. Two solutions: make a cardboard disk that fits inside the chamber, just above the blade. The disk will trap the fibers. Second tip: spray the inside of the blender with anti-static spray like you use in the laundry. The spray is also good for any hair stackers you may use.

When tying in biots for tails tie them in with their natural curve facing away from one and other.

When ribbing a fly with mono and a scud back shell only apply heavy pressure directly down to get a nice deep rib and help keep from rolling the scud back.

If you want to make nicer flies... Slowly tie them. Torrey gave me this tip and my flies look "slightly" better, but still not great ;)

Before wrapping a biot as a body, put a drop of head cement (or superglue) on the underbody and wrap the biot over it. This makes the fly much sturdier.

1.Hackle ClockWise, Or "with" the thread....
2.For Complex flies With Wings,Rubber Legs and a Post.. Use A Lead Tie Back To KEep Materials Out of the way( Simply use a Piece lead by wraping it around the material you need to be out of the way)

Archive of tying tips from FAOL.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flyt...ps/archive.php

have a really really strong magnet handy...you never know when you are going to spill a box of hooks...makes cleanup real easy.

I think I saw this on a video here but here it goes. When finishing your fly give a coating of head cement to about an inch of thread, wrap it and then whip finish. It will keep the thread from coming undone.

Have a place you can keep all of your fly tying materials and equipment out. Setting up and breaking everything down after tying is a pain in the butt and will discourage you from tying.