I can reply to the second..
Ray I don't know what type fly you're tying or what type of eyes you're working with, but with many flies you would coat the head area with an initial application of epoxy (or your glue of choice) while holding the hair down by the tips,
and then in a second step, glue the eyes to the head area
To do that;
Put a dab of glue (I use Goop) where you want the eye to be
Have the eye face down on your bench
With the slightest touch of the glue on your bodkin,
touch the bodkin to the rear of the eye and use the bodkin to pick it up and slip it into place.
(with stick-on eyes, just pick them off the card with your bodkin)
Push and hold the eye into place with your thumb
It takes some practice
Hope this helps
Last edited by dudley; 04-02-2008 at 12:51 PM.
The simpler the outfit, the more skill it takes to manage it, and the more pleasure one gets in his achievements.
--- Horace Kephart
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