Here is more from The ART of FLY TYING by Chas. M.
Wetzel, published in 1936.
"The whip finish or fastening off knot at the
head of the fly is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.
This knot has always been more or less clothed
in mystery - and among some fly tyers is a
jealously-guarded secret. The hook and tying silk
have been exaggerated to make the idea clear.
Take the position shown in Fig. 6 and with the thumb
and first finger of the right hand, make one-half of
a clockwise turn around the hook, binding down the
end held in the left hand. Release this end and with
the thumb and first finger of the left hand straddle
the hook, grasp this turned-over portion, hold it taut
until the right hand can be turned counter clockwise
in the loop to get the new hold. Now with the right-hand
hold, take a turn around the hook, again employing the
left hand to hold it tight for the next new position.
Make four such turns around the hook. Slip the dubbing
needle in the loop, grasp the free end as shown in
Fig. 7, and pull it tight over the needle.

Credits: From The Art of Fly Tying by
Chas. M. Wetzel. Thanks to William Fitzgerald for sending
a copy of this wonderful booklet!
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