Understanding Feathers

Here is an excellent web page by Mike Hogue that describes the types of feathers used in fly tying. Its been out there for awhile and may or may not have been updated, uut it will serve as a good reference for beginners and experienced tyers.

http://www.eflytyer.com/materials/feathers.html

Cutting Wire

Lets be real about this, we are not cutting a #2 gauge 100 amp service panel electrical wire with our fly tying scissors, we are cutting a soft copper wire that begins at approximately .003 thousandths of an inch to about .013 thousandths of an inch in diameter.

But this will most likely spark some controversy, I still cut ribbing wire with my more than capable Dr Slick tying scissors. The scissors below are over 10 years old and are showing their age. The fancy gold finish around the finger holes is wearing off. They have never been sharpened since the day I brought them home. But they still cut everything I need them to cut without any problems. I think they are tougher than most tyers want to believe. They can cut wire as long as you cut it in the right place. If you cut your wire close to the pivot point, the rest of the blade will remain sharp to cut the remainder of your fly tying materials.

You can grab that tag end of the wire and twirl it around like a helicopter rotor until it breaks of clean as a whistle! You can use finger and toe nail clippers. You can also dedicate a cheaper brand of scissors to do all of your wire cutting

Lead wire doesn't even need to be cut at all with scissors, just break it off with your thumbnail.

So what I'm really trying to say is yes you can cut wire with your scissors, just cut it in the right place!

Lets remember that this is just my opinion and yours will always be different!

As always, thanks for looking!

Multiple Function Materials

As you can see in the mylar piping material shown above, there is multiple uses for it. You can remove the core from the piping and use and use the piping for bait-fish bodies, you can use the antron/zlon type strands of the core for wings, wing posts, bodies, legs etc and you can even unbraid the piping and use each strand as mylar tinsel.

The mylar piping shown above is a chartreuse color and size large but I have found this type of piping with the antron/zlon type core material in other colors including silver, gold, pearl and even holographic.

As always, thanks for looking!

Glo Bugs - The Simple & Easy Way

Craft PomPoms

Your favorite curved hook

Your favorite brand of glue

A fly box full of Glo Bugs

Just stab a craft pompom onto the curved hook, apply some super glue to the hook and push the pompom into the glue. Its as easy as that!

Broken Thread

You tied that perfect fly body and you just broke the thread?

Don't despair! It happens all the time.

Take your hackle pliers and attach it to the broken end of the thread. Reattach your tying thread and wrap over the broken end and you're ready to continue tying the rest of the fly.