"Cleanliness is next to Godliness." I wish I had even
a nickel for every time I have heard that line used
by my mother. If I had only known way back then that
she was talking about fly tying I would have had
immaculate hands at all times.
Our skin is just full of many wonderful chemicals
and properties. Many of these are protective mechanisms,
others are simply attractants and retainers of all manner
of gunk and dirt.
If you do not wash your hands, guess where all of this
stuff ends up, that's right, it is now in your fly.
Now if you want to tie dirty flies I guess you have
a right to do so. But, if your aim is to catch fish
with your creations, I definitely suggest you always
begin your tying session with very clean hands.
You will find that the oils in your skin may be adding
unwanted floatation. They also may be causing a color
shift in your dubbing, (remember all the trouble you had
finding just the right shade?) and other materials. And
the materials themselves will actually be easier to handle
and apply properly if your hands are clean.
I use a hand cleaner which contains pumice. This not only
cleans my hands, but has the additional quality of smoothing
some very rough skin. So, before you go to the bench, get
in their and wash your hands!
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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