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3. Just started tying, but have a question.

I recently started tying and have even managed to be successfull on my ties on the first trip out. However, I noticed that on my flies the ribbing is sliding down and ending up on the end of the abdomen of fly. Is it just a sloppy tie or a common problem. It seemed to happen with wire under-bodies and tapered thread bodies. Any suggestions or ideas would be helpful.

Hello Aaron,

Haven't seen you here in a long time - nice to see you are still around. You wrote:

"However, I noticed that on my flies the ribbing is sliding down and ending up on the end of the abdomen of fly."

It sounds as if maybe you aren't winding the tinsel on with enough tension. Tinsel is pretty strong and won't break very easily. Therefore when you tie it in at the bend of the hook, and start to wind it forward, apply adequate tension so the tinsel is going on nice and tight and that should solve the problem if it doesn't come back and post again.

Wednesday 8:00 a.m.

I thought about your problem again with this comment in mind;

"It seemed to happen with wire under-bodies".

Sometimes if you apply a wire, or lead, underbody to the hook shank and then don't create a smooth, and tapered transition, from the wire or lead to the hook shank, with the thread, the slippery tinsel is going to have a tendency to slide off of the larger diameter and wind up on the smaller shank diameter.

Thanks Matt I have been lingering in the shadows with not to much to report or ask. It has been a long cold winter with several other "life" variables launch my direction. Again thanks for the suggestions they always seem to help. Tight Lines!

Depending on the type of tinsel you use, making a perfectly smooth underbody can cause tinsel to slide off more easily. When using mylar tinsel, sometimes I'll space the thread out on my final pass over the underbody (sometimes doing so from head to tail and back again) to create a bit of texture for the mylar to bite into. This also causes the tinsel to reflect light in more directions, which can be a nice effect.

Then there's one more (hopefully) obvious point: Make sure your tinsel wraps and thread wraps are in the same direction. And, of course, as Matt said, keep 'em tight! Loose wraps have no place in flytying.

-Shawn

"loose wraps have no place in flytying"

but - most of us are loosely wrapped!
gut

Or seriously warped!

Spence

Or wound too tight!

Now don't go and get to confusing Aaron!

I have noticed all of the above from everyone from time to time. I have been using oval tinsel and not flat everytime I tried the flat it would break. So I guess I just need to put some more tension than I thought.

"I have been using oval tinsel and not flat everytime I tried the flat it would break. So I guess I just need to put some more tension than I thought."

Didn't you want to say "I guess I need to put less tension than I thought" if you are breaking the flat tinsel? You must be pulling it very hard as most Mylar tinsels will stretch before they break. Real metallic flat tinsels will snap if they are wound too tightly.

What are you tying that you need to use oval tinsel? Oval tinsel has a cotton thread core and isn't the easiest material to use even for guys who tie frequently.

Matt said..."Now don't go and get to confusing Aaron!"

Spence replied...Yes dad! We'll behave...

The sun is out here in Michigan! Actual blue skies and I spotted a Coon nosing around the bare patches in the back yard yesterday...Could spring be too far behind?!

Time to make sure your tackle is in good shape and you just didn't toss it off in a corner somewhere at the end of last season! Check them waders for holes...Buy some new batteries for your night fishing lamps...Well you might not need those just yet, but hey!

Spence

Yeah, you shouldn't be snapping off the tinsel. The only other thing I can think to suggest is to be mindful of the angle at which the tinsel is tied in. If it has to be turned sharply at the tie-in point when you begin wrapping it, it's more likely to break (or make an unsightly lump). So tie it in as closely as possible to the angle at which you plan to wrap it.

Or, maybe you just need to buy better tinsel.

-Shawn

"Spence replied...Yes dad! We'll behave..."

Now look just because I'm 70 years old don't be calling me Dad! Funny thing happened at Gander Moutain on Wednesday - I was trying to sell a guy a Plueger spin rod and reel combo and I said something that he took as me suggesting he didn't know what he was talking about and he says to me "Hey Pops do you think I'm that stupid!" I felt like saying "Well, ah yes you dumb MF'r!"

Matt,

This last post of yours had me laughing out loud...If that guy doesn't know enough to listen to you, you have our permission to slap the little shit around a bit...Maybe then he'll respect his elders!

Spence

Thanks, I'll remember that when I'm nursing my black eye and broken nose. BTW I was kidding about being 70, I'm only 66.

I guess it was inexperience. It seemed to me that it was tougher the flat tinsel didn't look like it would take a solid tug without breaking. I am still working on the basics it seems that there is so much to learn it is difficult to find a good starting point.

Aaron,

I'm hoping we can meet this July on the Missouri - should be easy with you living in Helena. I'm arriving on the 19th.

I hope everything works out this year. Last year just didn't work out when you where down. Will talk more about it as it gets closer.

Aaron,
I am fairly new to fly tying as well and I have found that there are some great books out there for fly tying techniques. I have really improved my tying using these books. One in particular is the fly tier's benchside reference. It has photos and details of just about every tying techniques out there. It's a little pricey, but in my opinion, well worth it.

I also like Eric Leiser's The Complete Book of Fly Tying. It is a great book for beginners and continues to be a great reference book.