ok still new to tying flies but love it i tied a gold flashy pipe cleaner to a hook ? will this work. second how do you add photo to this site? thanks and have a great day.
Welcome to the site.
Pipe cleaners will likely rust.
Keith
Mudflapper,
Pipe cleaners work. They are basically ‘chenille’, but with a wire core rather than thread.
Some ‘drawbacks’. The wire used isn’t high quality stuff, and it will corrode/tarnish/rust once it gets wet. This means bsically that these are ‘one use’ flies, for the most part, as once they get wet they’ll rust and discolor. Not a bad thing, as they are quick to tie and will last all day (or two, maybe) unless you lose them…throwing them away after one to two days use isn’t much of a sacrifice…(I seldom have one that long, due to trees, rocks, and big fish).
No clue on the photos thing.
Buddy
I remember an article in Fly Tyer by Boyd Pfeiffer where he used a material called Bump Chenille …a kind of pipe cleaner with “bumps” to tie streamers.
He tied a tail on the hook, cut off one of the “bumbs”, and lashed it down.
Yeah… it looked like a bait fish… kinda…
I have some off this Bump Chenille that I got for some Cub Scout project. That’s why I remember…
I never tried one of the flies myself… I do remember he used them in salt water. They must hold up fairly well
Once I tied some bluefish flies with a “pipe cleaner” body. As I remember the one that I used held up fine.
It didn’t get alot of use though. Not a good producer
To post a picture set yourself up with Photobucket or similar account. Once you load your pictures to your Photobucket account you’ll see a library of all your photos. Go to the one you wish to post and below the thumbnail photo you will see codes. Select (copy) the proper code (I use Direct or IMG) then using the Insert Image button in the bb dialog box above to paste your copied code and then click ok. Your image will now be ready for all the world to see.
Hope that helps.
Helpful hint. Open two windows. One for the bb post and the other being Photobucket or similar account.
mudflaper,
If you do tie up some flies using pipe cleaners, please, do not put that wet fly back into your fly box. Not only will the wet wire in the pipe cleaner rust, it will also introduce moisture to the inside of your fly box and cause all your other flies to rust due to the moisture being trapped inside the fly box. This holds true to all your flies. Do not put a wet fly back in your fly box. When you change a fly, put the used fly on a fly patch on your vest or on your hat so that it can air dry before storing back in your fly box. Trust me on this, been there…done that!
Second what warren said.
Buy a little fly patch that has a pin for pinning to your chest pack vest etc, so that you can put the wet flies on it to dry.
The moisture problem is magnified even more with boxes like the SA System X boxes and the like with Rubber Gaskets. I have the system X box, Great box but you have to be careful to never put anything damp in there otherwise it will make them rust.
I tried to tie some flies using pipe cleaners but did not like the result - I trashed the material in the end from off the hook. I did not know then that they would rust like that hmmmmmm…
Jeanne
I have used them. You must make sure that the flies dries out completely.
About every other year they have a kids fishing derby here. I tie up a bunch of pipecleaner flies and take them there for the kids to use. I also take the materials and let the kids tie some of their own. Sure is fun to see them catch a fish on the fly they tied.
Rick
try this visual for posting fotos
http://ukflydressing.proboards83.com/index.cgi?board=sbs&action=display&thread=1186002077
Many years ago, I believe it was Jason Lucas who suggested in one of his articles carrying pipe cleaners for “emergency” bluegill flies. I never took his advice, but there were times I wish I had.
Mike
I still use them but I dry them out before putting them away. No rust that way.
This one is particularly good for me.
Gill Getter
Same fly, different link.
Gill Getter