SALTWATER FLY TYING - ARTICLE 4

Tapering and Folding Technique. Many of the synthetic materials are purchased in long hanks. Cutting the materials off at the top of the hank results in fibres that are far longer than required. This technique overcomes this problem as well as producing a very secure attachment of the materials. Separate a small clump of materials from the hank and cut off at the top. (don't cut off short lengths as this gives the hank many different lengths).

Double and cut the bunch until it is approximately twice the length of the desired length.

This procedure results in either one or two a flat cut ends.

Tapering the ends of the materials before attachment results in a tapered profile for the finished fly. This can be achieved by holding the materials between the thumb and forefinger and sliding the thumb backwards.

Another way to achieve a taper is to pull some of the fibres out at different lengths.

Both methods result in the bunch having a taper on both ends.

Attach the bunch using 3 or 4 wraps of thread. Varying the point of attachment (in the middle of the bunch or one piece slightly longer than the other) provides another means to control the finished profile.

Double the section that is facing forward back over the previous tie.




Over bind the double with thread to secure. The procedure can then repeated along the length of the shank with each piece slightly shorter that the previous one to achieve a 3 dimensional shape.






Hand Stacking

This technique is useful when working with bucktail. It allows hair consisting of vastly different lengths to be reorganised so that the tips are even so as to thicken up the bunch.

NOTE: Uneven fibres should not be trimmed to length with scissors. This causes a loss of "action" due to the removal of the fine tips as well allowing water to soak up into the hollow hair at a faster rate altering the characteristics of the material.

Hold the butts of the bunch of bucktail firmly between the thumb and forefinger. Grasp the tips of the longer hair with the other hand and gently pull them out while still maintaining a firm hold on the butts. Replace the hair back into the stack so that the tips are aligned with the remaining hair.

Repeat the process until the desired result is achieved.