Looking at a spool of thread, it seems a rather innocuous
bit of material, but, it has a few secrets hidden within
it which will help you with your tying.
First, when laying a thread base on a hook, which many
patterns benefit from, it may be used to facilitate it's
own application.
You will notice in the picture that the tag end of the
thread has been left long enough to be held in the left
hand. (left handers reverse the instructions) now by
grasping the thread in the left hand and puling it upward
at a fairly acute angle and bringing the thread being
wrapped into contact with it, the thread being wrapped
slides very neatly down the elevated thread and tight
against the previous wrap with no further manipulation
necessary. Most of you have seen this, and use the
technique regularly.
Here is another you may not be aware of however.
Once you have completed any operation with the tag end
of the thread, do not employ your scissors to cut the
tag off. This takes time, and if you tie a lot it will
certainly add up. I figure any time I save at the bench
can be spent fishing, so I save as much time as possible.
Now for the trick!
If you will hold the bobbin behind your vice, and your
tag end 180 degrees from it, or in the front of the vice,
and sharply "pop" the tag end, it will break off nice
and clean almost every time. This saves you the employment
of the scissors, and eliminates the possibility of cutting
the working end of the thread completely.
If you have any tips or techniques, send them along,
most of this material has been stolen from somebody,
might as well steal your ideas too!
~ George E. Emanuel
(Chat Room Host Muddler)
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