Great first Bug Cycler!! I had trouble with cutting the thread when I first started tying poppers. I would suggest a good Thread so you can really put tension on your deer hair to get it to flare. This also gets the thread closer to the hook shank and out of the way when you start to shape your bass bug. I use GSP or Roman Moser power silk you can really put a lot of tension on it and the thread is less likely to break. As far as getting the hair on the opposite side to pack tight like the near side, it's just practice. The more you stack and spin the better you'll get. Again great first bug and I hope to see more of your tying in the future