Hi,
As I became interested in quill body flies, thanks to the latest Fly Tyer, I have some questions as I muddle at them.
A. I got some Polish stripped quills. I cut the remaining herl end off. The dark edge is up, do you get better results, as in not breaking them as much, tying in by the herl end or the butt end?
B. I also got some Tyflyz Hackle Tweezers. I seem to have a problem with the quill slipping out of the tweezer as I try to wrap the body. I get somewhat better results using my other hackle pliers, the ones with the rubber end pad.
C. Do you UV cure the body before adding dubbing at the head?
Thanks all. I would post pics but don’t want to break this site!!
Mike
a. soak the quill prior to wrapping. tie in by the skinny end
b. use the hackle plier that holds the quill the best
c. uv resin after wrapping or wrap the quill after applying a light coat of super glue to the thread
Like Norm said. If you’re using UV I would coat the body before dubbing, it’s much easier. Sometimes I crank out about a half-dozen bodies and then finish the flies. Along with the hackle pliers you also have to develop a feel for winding the biots. It’s not hard, but a little touch needs to be learned with some material. You’ll get it.
I’ve used both super glue underneath and uv finish. The only difference is that the UV finish makes a shiny body.
Thanks to you both. I’ll try soaking the quills for a while before tying them in and grab them by the skinny end. I get into these modes and have to master a technique!!
Mike
An update. Soaking the quills and being careful has done wonders! As I was waiting for the quills to soak, my feeble little brain remembered that from somewhere but it took you two fine fellows to get it back!
Thanks!!!
Mike
Some days we all need a reminder
Glad a little tying tip helped
Now post up them flies you tied
Okay, but you take any blame for sinking this site with my fly porn!!
I’ll do some tomorrow.
Mike
You just keep asking and we’ll keep answering the best we can.
And that is what I appreciate the MOST about this site and ALL the wonderful people here!
Thanks to all,
Mike