Every now and then you stumble across a technique that saves time or materials. This tip seems to do both for me.
Problem: I alway preweight my hooks when tying an order requiring extra weight. In the past I would cut a piece of wire (lead or non-lead) to the length that I wanted to add to the hook plus an additional half-inch. I’d wrap the wire on the hook by hand and trim the waste pieces at both ends of the application. Yes, I know you can use your fingers to “chase” that last little strip of wire on the hook but it costs time and for me time is $.
Solution: I buy my lead/non-lead wire on one-pound spools. I set the spool on the table diectly under the hook/vise jaws. Then pull the loose end up above the hook shank equal to the length you want to put on the hook. Then take two wraps around the shank to anchor the wire. Grab the loose wire end with a rotating hacke pliers so you capture only a small part of the wire in the pliers. Finish wrapping the wire like you were winding thread with a bobbin. When you get close to the end of the wire don’t slow down but keep going at the same pace. When the rotating hackle pliers hits the hook shank it snaps the last bit of wire from the jaws and places the wire tip tight into place. Trim the wire coming for the one-pound spool from the back of the application, apply glue to the wire wraps, and place the hook in a turner to dry.
I can’t believe how fast I can weight a dozen hooks using this tip. After almost 50 years tying you would think I would have come up with it before. I suspect after posting this several of you will tell me you figured that out xxx years ago. Take care & …
Tight Lines - Al Beatty [url=http://www.btsflyfishing.com:3836d]www.btsflyfishing.com[/url:3836d]
Al,
What I’ve been doing longer than I care to admit -
I have the wire spools in bobbins [old ones that “run loose”]. A quick wrap or two to anchor wire, rotate vise to wind it on hook shank, let bobbin “drift” up against hook and when you have the correct # of wraps just snap the bobbin down breaking the wire.
Quick and no waste. I don’t remember who showed me that but I’m pretty sure I ain’t smart enough to have thunk it up myself!!
I’ve had the spools for a number of years and if I remember correct I got them from an electronics store or catalog. It is called Buss Fuse Wire and I have it in .015, .020, & .25 diameters. You might try a search on the internet.
Tight Lines - Al Beatty [url=http://www.btsflyfishing.com:2924e]www.btsflyfishing.com[/url:2924e]
Al, I use a similar technique. Not quite the way you’re tip suggest, but with a 1 lb. spool of .032 solder. I works real well for my size 6 to 10 wooly worms buggers.
I don’t think I’ll ever run out.
Michael (Wooly) Woolum
State Certified Hunter Education Instructor
Hickory, MS
I believe you will find the one pound spools vertually impossible to get now. I used to buy them by the case from the manufacturer but the last time I tried to order it they informed me they only did it as a special order item at that time and the minimum amount was 100 lbs.
You know that’s strange, I would never have thought of that, but when ya sit back and think about it, it seems like the most obvious thing to do…hmmm, thanks Al…
Hi Al,
Great Fly of the Week article!
Here’s what I’ve stumbled into while tying Shad flies : I hold the spool of lead/non lead in my hand and just start winding on the amount I need and then snapping it off of the hook. The little extra in the front is broken off the same way . No measuring no fuss no muss.
Take care , Jim
Good method Al. It sounds like a real benefit to production.
I wonder if you can get pure lead wire at all any more. I know the little spools you buy are labeled lead but I wonder if they are 100%. Solid solder wire and fuse wire are not lead but are mostly tin. Tin is lighter than lead. It has about 2/3 the density of lead. 60% tin and 40% lead is common for solder wire and common fuse wire is 63% tin, 37% lead. New lead free materials have just about replaced the old lead alloys. Guess you just have to add a couple more wraps to make up for the lighter weight.
You’re right , Grubb…nice tip, Al, Thanks…
. Jim, I pretty much do it like you do but for there seems to be something a little cumbersome about it for me.
I’ve got an idea that may apply to those of us who tie with just the little spools…more to come when I have more time and get a picture.
