I have just read that, since bluegills use their sense of smell to evaluate the flies,
we shouldn’t use head cementn them.
This is bad news because I have recently tied 120 flies for some neighbors for their bluegill fishing.
I carefully glued the thread wraps on every one of them!
Thanks for your help.
I may be wrong and others may disagree but I really don’t think it would be a big problem. I read in Terry and Roxanne Wilson’s book that they do not use head cement but I don’t think it is water soluble and just don’t think it matters much if at all.
My 2 pesos,
bd
I use it all the time and it doesn’t stop the BG’s from biting my flies.
I think that is a bogus claim. Dozens of bluegills last year say as much.
I always cement mine…
Spelling and Grammar not subject to judgement… 
Bluegills not hitting something?
Does that really ever happen?
I caught them on everything including materials stored in moth balls, painted plugs and poppers, and painted bare hooks.
My all time best fly is a hook shank painted white for contrast and wrapped with horsehair dyed red and wrapped on the hook. These days you could substitute thin vinyl rib. All I know is when I put one of these in fromt of a bluegill; paint, head cement and all they killed it.
I rarely if ever cement a head. Your flies will still work just fine.
Chusa, Like the others I don’t believe the head cement makes a difference. In fact, is there really any more smell coming from the head cement after it dries than there is smell coming from the bucktail, fur, dubbing, feathers, foam that the fly is made of???
But going forward, if it concerns you, on your next batch of flies try this tip: before tying off, was a couple of inches of thread and then whip finish a couple of times. The wax will help “hold” the thread wraps together.
I do a fair amount of BG fishing (about 4 times a week during the spring and summer) and tie almost all of the flies I use (as do most of the BG fishers I know). Sometimes I cement and sometimes I do not. I have not been able to tell any difference. However, I think there may be some effect from head cement BUT there are many variables that are in play. I think head cement is a small part of the BG’s decision to strike.
Chuck Hitt
If you’re concerned about the smell of your flies, try grabbing a bit of moss or other natural lake/river content and rubbing it all over the fly. Both Dave Whitlock and Joe Humphreys recommend doing this for any subsurface flies.
For whom it may concern, Nicotine has been proven to deter fish as well. This method can at least help to overcome any nicotine residue on a fly that hands might have tranfsferred to it. (Works for me anyway)
I use Fly Tite head cement on all my flies. Since it is alcohol based, it may not be as pungent as some of the other solvents. All the same, I use it heavily to cover lead wire and hold bucktail in place. I’ve never had the feeling that bluegills object to the smell or my flies. Most of my flies do get a day or two to cure before they are fished. 8T
You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.
Chusha,
Don’t worry about it.
The flies will work fine.
By the way, IF someone is genuinely conerned that there might be an offensive odor of any kind on their flies, there is a VERY simple solution.
EVERY tackle shop in the country (TACKLE, not ‘fly’), even the big box places, sells products that are developed to combat this.
Often called ‘attractants’ which is erroneous, or ‘scents’ which is a bit better, these products will cover any ‘bad’ odors on your flies.
They aren’t expensive, one bottle/container will last a fly fisherman for several years of religious use, and they work.
Just put a drop on the fly and rub it in.
I NEVER fish a subsurface fly for any species without using it.
Good Luck!
Buddy
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I tie Deer Hair Ants for some of the local BG fishers and they insist that they be sealed for durability. I use clear fingernail polish. They have no problems, but then the flies are dried for a couple of days before use.
As to “Fish Attractants” A spritz of WD40 or a dip in Bilge Water (The stuff that collects around the engine) are 2 of the best!! Actual field tests on Lake Erie back in the 80’s!!
Cactus
chusa -
Using head cement on your Bluegill flies is completely a NON ISSUE with regards to the smell affecting the flies effectivness once the cement has cured.
Ever been to a body shop? Ok, now go out and smell the fender on your vehicle. 
Don’t give it another thought.
- Gary
P.S. God Bless you, Buddy Sanders! Thought I was the only one.
- g~
“Catch 'em all…Put some back!”
You guys and Pete! Using Protien drinks on your flies. . . .
Don