Tied my first flies

[heelerdog]

Finally got all the way through one without breaking the thread. My first one was an F fly. The best part of this one is I actually finished it. It is a pretty sorry looking fly, but it's my first so I'll be keeping it. I then tied two Griffith's Gnat, I am very happy with how they turned out, fairly impressed with myself. I am having trouble with the whip finish. I think a little less "sophisticated" whip finish tool will cure that. I'll be hitting the fly shop tomorrow. I would post pics, but I won't have access to my camera for a few days at least. Thanks for reading.

[Bugsy]

redacted,,,,,,

[MontanaMoose]

Hello heelerdog ! Keep at it..it just gets better as you go along. Good idea saving that first tye !

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[Kaboom1]

Heelerdog
Learn to use your fingers to do a whip finish along with the tool...you will not regret it. By the way welcome to the site.
Here are a couple links
Brad
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytyin ... part5.html
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytyin ... tying2.gif
http://www.geocities.com/flugfiskarn/whip.html
http://www.sexyloops.com/flytying/whipfinishag.shtml

[Eight Thumbs]

Heelerdog,

Congratulations, you are well on your way to a full scale addiction. You'll never look at a barnyard rooster (or hen for that matter) in the same way again. Neighborhood cats and dogs will fear you as you come at them with that "just a little snip of dubbing" look in your eye. Money will magically leave your pockets and enter the cash register of any fly shop that you pass. Ain't it great! Enjoy! 8T

PS Your whip finish and your thread tension problem will get much better quickly----honest!

[William Fitzgerald]

Have the fly shop teach you how to use the whip finisher--the Matarelli is a good one but a little high price for a beginner just to finish a fly. There are three brass half hitch tools for less and then I teach kids with the hole on a ball point pen as a tool.Bill

[heelerdog]

Thanks for the links 8, you saved me some $$$ I can now use on materials. I watched the movie and readily decided I can do that. It just wasn't making sense reading about it but seeing it in motion it is all clear now. Thanks to everyone else for their input.