I can not remember, where I learned this tip, but whoever taught me,
thank you very much, it has been a great help in my education in
fly tying. ~ Parnelli
When a fly pattern calls for a beaded head, the way most of
us have been taught is to do a lock wrap behind the bead with
thread. Then build up the thread so the bead is secured and
will not slide back on the shank of the hook.
The trouble with this way of securing the bead is that the bead
is hanging off-center on the hook. When it comes time to do
the half-hitch and whip-finish, the effect is an off-centered
bead head.
There is a better way of doing things, and you most likely have
all the stuff you need already to do it. Non-lead wire, preferably
.015 or .020 inch diameter.
Just wrap behind the bed with about 4 or 5 wraps of the non-lead wire.
Then snip off the ends and smooth the tag ends.
Push the non-lead wire into the cavity of the beaded head.
Now you can start the lock wrap with your thread and carry on with
the rest of the pattern. I think you will like the improved appearance
of the fly. ~ Parnelli
Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the
Bulletin Board, on FAOL too.
If you have any questions, tips, or techniques; send them along.
Someone else thought up most of this material before we did,
they just forgot to tell anyone about it. Or else we just
forgot about it, while learning something else. Let us
share with each other, all the things we know!
~ Steven H.
McGarthwaite (Chat Room AKA Parnelli)
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