Recently, in a video clip, I noted a technique that is worth reviewing. To get nice tightly spaced wraps of thread we will hold the starting thread tag up at a taut angle and let the subsequent thread wraps slide down the taut thread to give perfectly tight turn to turn bedding wraps. What I was reminded about was that this technique works equally well for Peacock herl and even chenille. Even soft chenille that has been flattened will be perked up better than if it had been steamed. Wow! what beautifully wrapped bodies you can get by doing this.
Give it a try. Some old ideas are so easily forgotten.
Could you give us a link to the video? I can’t visualize wrapping things forward with the technique you mention.
Ray,
Great reminder; that’s a nice technique to utilize.
On a similar note, Charlie Craven uses the tying thread to control hackle wraps from sliding down the front of a Stranahan Caddis Variant http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/details.cfm?parentID=8
He lets the thread hang down at the base of the wing where the hackle is tied in and as the hackle is wrapped forward, the thread keeps the hackle wraps tight against each other. This works pretty well, especially on smaller flies; a little dubbing on the thorax works, too, but in smaller flies, it can make the thorax look a bit out of proportion.
Regards,
Scott
To Herefishy: To wind the herl on going forward you must have the “guiding thread”
right in front of it. If you tie the herl in at the back the thread is already right there.
Works well with floss
Works well with wire on copper john’s too!
I got it - thanks!