A fly tying tool is a specialized tool that can be used for fly tying. There are many of them available, and many have special features that make them more useful.
Some of these tools are: die, Mendel, spool, foam block, foam roller, etc. Despite their names, some of them do not belong to a category. For example, the die does not add shape or texture to your flies, but rather holds the wing structure while the Mendel does hold the base of the wings as they are rolled onto a foam strip.
The Mendel is an expensive tool that gives you more than your money’s worth back.
Contents:
Hold your thread steady
When tying a fly, you need to hold your thread steady. This includes being able to tie another fly or putting your finishing touches on an existing fly.
A good tool to use for this is a disappearing tape measure. These can be used to hold down contrasting materials such as thread and parachute nylon. With them, you can trace a circle, then the material will disappear!
Another helpful tool is a measuring tape. As expected, the more material you have, the longer your tie will be. But how do you know how long you have? Invest in a good tool that gives you consistent results every time!
To keep your tools from getting dirty or dried out, start with using only one type of tool per job.
Place the hook into the vise
Once the hook is in the vise, you can start tying. Using your choice of material, weave a strong cross-section of thread around the hook and then tie a solid knot to hold it in place.
This may take a few tries, so do not be offended if it does not come out right the first time. Trying again will help get your hands on that beautiful trout picture you want!
After tying your fly, let it dry before handling or using. If you have to keep using the same flies for different trout, they will lose their stickiness and shape due to being wet and taking some time to dry.
To ensure you are having good quality flies every time, use only clean, sharpened fly hooks and check them against your material to make sure they are holding up.
Set your thread
Once you have your hook, you must set your thread. The way to do this is by using a fly-threader. This is a long, slender tool that looks like a regular sewing needle with a small loop at the end that is hooked onto the thread.
To use a fly-threader, first push the hook through the thread and then pull out the opposite end. You should now have one long thread.
Now, take your right hand and wrap your thumb and finger around the index finger and thumb of your left hand. Now, pull the thumb and middle finger of your hand towards you until they are ready to hold the end of the thread. Put your fingers on the end of the thread and pull until it is just inside your back teeth. That is it!
Now, insert your hook in the desired spot and pull out the other end to make a loop. Take another length of thread and tie a knot in it at one end, then draw up enoughThread to untiethe knotand lettheotherendofthethreadhangdownsidearthehook.
Start twisting the handle
Once you’ve determined which tool will be used to tie the majority of your flies and reels, it is time to start using them. Start with your smaller, less valuable tool first to learn the basics.
For example, when tying a nymph, start with the synthetic thread gently wrapped around the core and pulled through the middle. Then, draw a loop and wrap again until you have a nymph.
Use the same process for adding a bit of inert material such as dried seaweed or meat bait. After these two elements are in place, draw a line to connect them and finish tying the fly.
Someflies require special disposal methods while otherflies do not (see below).
Know how to use a bobbin and spindle
A bobbin is the source of your spinning thread. A bobbin comes in a variety of sizes, some smaller than others. The smaller ones are called diminutive bobbins.
The larger ones are called large bobbins. Both kinds are the same size as a #4 hook. You use a small sized bobbin to draw in more thread and a large one to draw out more threads.
To use a small sized bobbiner, you must have some kind of guide system to hold the required amount of threads in place. This can be done by using anAnti-Wrangle Threading System (AWES) or by using a floating dock system such as gravity fly tying aids.
Use wax to help hold your thread
Wax is a very useful tool to have in the fly-tying arsenal. Wax can be used to help hold your thread in place, and it can also be used to create shapes and tails for your flies.
Weave ends together to form a handle before proceeding with other steps. This will help it move easier in the wax as well as layering up your hook and fly.
Start with a small amount of wax, enough for your ring of hooks and enough left over for the tail of the fly. Then, add more wax until you have the shape you want your fly to have. Add some more if necessary!
To create a shape on your fly, start with some loose thread and then wrap it around another thread or dried twine until you have a tight fit.
Use different materials for hooks
When making flyfish hooks, there are a couple of things to note. First, if you use wire or steel, your hook must be sharpened regularly. Second, if you use cloth or silk as the material for the wing of your fly, then you must find a way to preserve the color of your silk while creating a strong wing.
Some people prefer foam hooks and others not. It all depends on what you like! You can experiment with finding different materials to create flies, but make sure you have enough space in your storage boxes to hold all of your tools! Some people even say it helps to use colored pencils to give the wings some color when they are tied.
Learn different techniques
While most craft projects are designed to be easy to learn, some techniques are more straightforward and easier than others. Learn the more difficult tips that will make you a more skilled fly fisherman!
Sometimes, the easiest techniques for flies are the ones that require the most finesse. These include using delicate materials such as silk or chiffon for wings, lures or baits made of harder material such as plastic or metal, and designing flies on purpose instead of buying premade ones.
For example, taking two lengths of silk about one inch thick and cutting them into two lengthwise stripes, each about an inch long is how to design a dragonfly wing. One length is white with black lines and the other is red with black lines.