this is one of the many many ways to split your dry fly tails
http://www.fresnoflyfishers.org/jerr...%20tailing.pdf
every tyer will have their preference
Printable View
this is one of the many many ways to split your dry fly tails
http://www.fresnoflyfishers.org/jerr...%20tailing.pdf
every tyer will have their preference
That's the one that works best for me, Norm. I think it's the easiest method.
Bruce
Nice link, Normand; thanks. Here's the same technique in video:
http://vimeo.com/9100015
Regards,
Scott
That is awesome! If a person kept a spool of 14/0 handy, it wouldn't even add bulk. Another "duh" *smacks forehead* moment.
Actually there is an easier and quicker way of splitting the tails, though the concept is the same. If you will leave a tag end of thread hang at the tail of the intial foundation wrap, tie your tails in as usual, and then simply use the tag to split the tails, similarly to the drawings in the link you will: 1, not have to bother with the manipulation of the piece of scrap thread, and 2, you will have only that amount of bulk created by a single piece of thread used to split the tails, rather than two.
This tip is here on FAOL though as discussed in another recent thread, finding the exact information can be difficult, there is a whole section of Archived Tying Tips on FAOL and they are definately worth browsing if you haven't do so already.
Tight lines, and don't cut your thread until you're ready
George
Normand & ScottP,
Great information and technique for splitting tails, I like that
Quote:
Originally Posted by Normand
George,
I used the single tag end method of splitting tails for many years.
About five years ago I saw this method used in a demo.
The beauty of it is the ability to fine tune the tails. Since you have two pieces of thread, you can adjust each tail precisely by gently tugging on the appropriate tag end. It's amazing how much control you have, and how easy it is to do.
I get a much more consistent result with this method over the single thread method.
Buddy
Buddy,
That is a great and very valid point. Typically I don't split tails in three, though as we know mayflies typically show three. Being a tad on the lazy side I usually just spit equally the hackle barbs and hope that fish can't actually count. Having said that, I agree that the degree of control would be better with two threads. If you want to use that method, perhaps a minor modification to my previous post would be worth exploring.
Taking the dead end of the tie in tag thread, lash it to the shank, tie in the tails, and then simply use the loop formed in the manner suggested earlier to split the tails in three. This eliminates the step of finding and attaching the scrap thread (which is likely a previously cut off tag anyway) and should save a step and some small amount of time, which is after all cumulative.
Thanks again for bringing this up. We learn most when we listen to others. We also get into our own habits so deep sometimes that we become oblivious to the fact that others may have thier own reasons for a different method.
Appreciate the opportunity to interact and learn something today.
Tight lines,
George
My first thought also:cool:.Quote:
Originally Posted by maodiver
Hey, Buddy, are you doing three tails?
Duckster,
Not normally. I do sometimes on larger dries, but mostly I just split the attendant fibers in half.
My most common use of this technique is on an RS2 nymph that I use a lot on the San Juan. It uses two long microfibbets for tail fibers, and if they are not in the correct alignment, the fly isn't as effective. Since it's a very small fly, 18-22s, having the ability to align them easily is nice.
Buddy