Whats the best way to keep chenille from falling apart?

[HarryC]

I've been tying now for a few months and I'm starting to get the hang of this. I've even got a few fish to bite on my own creations! I am having one problem though. I've taken to tying different types of worm patterns like the san juan and some others that I've found while browsing this site. The fly called the "too simple san juan worm" seems to work fantastic. Only problem is that the chenille tends to unwrap off the hanging ends. I've must be doing somthing wrong. I've tried lightly burning the ends, but I don't see how that would help. Anyone have any suggestions on how to keep it from falling apart?

[Betty Hiner]

Harry,
Actually, lightly burning does help stop the fraying, as does a drop of head cement (but that's a bit like wearing a belt AND suspenders).

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Trouts don't live in ugly places

[Jim Cramer]

Regular chenille won't work for the worm patterns for the very reason you described. Instead use Vernille sp? which is a small diameter, very dense type of chenille. On this material the ends will fuse if you lightly burn them.

[HarryC]

Jim, are you the same Jim Cramer that has the talk radio show "Real Money"?
My apologies if you're not.

[Betty Hiner]

Which only goes to show you...
When Harry said chenille, and san juan worm in the same breath, my minds eye added an "ultra" to the chenille (that's what I tie mine with). And that doesn't fray if singed.Or head cemented.

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Trouts don't live in ugly places

[chusha]

Another material I use for worms are thin strips of suede leather in the color I want.