Some Woollies

All about flies Fly Tying
1

These are the first two flies that I’ve tied. I tied these with a tying kit from Bass Pro. I’m not that crazy about the materials in the kit, personally. But it did get the job done for the most part.

The Woolly Bugger. It seems a little too fat for me.

The Woolly Worm. I don’t think I got the hackle quite right and I started a little too far back on the hook also.

For my first time I don’t think their too bad. Any suggestions?
Also would like to know what type of head cement is used a lot. The cement that came in the kit had set for a while and was almost solid.

2

those are perfect for a hungry bass or hubcap bluegill!

3

For your “1st go around at tying” I think you’re flies look pretty darn good!
Also, considering, what you said… “The Bass Pro materials aren’t the best out there” and GOOD materials, WILL make all the difference in the world.
MY OWN OPINION ONLY, because it’s just the way I TIE them is all, (since you asked, for an opinion!!), is that the hackle on the Wooly Worm is about twice as long as it needs to be, (or, actually, by the original pattern specs) and if you have access to any red yarn, I’d add a 1/4" red yarn tail,to it also.
What REALLY caught my eye, though, was for a beginner… the heads on both flies are VERY neat and well done!
Again, this ISN’T criticism in any way, of your tying skills, only my OWN opinions to the questions you asked!! Keep it up, you’re off to a great start!!
And, above all, remember one very important fact… "THE FISH are far less “the critics”, that we fishermen are!! They really don’t CARE…it’s we fishermen that put so much emphasis on “perfection”!! Just have FUN, that’s all that matters in the end!
And, YES!! Your flies,EXACTLY THE WAY THEY ARE NOW, will catch fish no problem!

4

That is your first tie. WOW very nice! keep up the good work. flybinder aka Paul said it best THE FISH are far less “the critics”, that we fishermen are!! They really don’t CARE…it’s we fishermen that put so much emphasis on "perfection
I also have to agree the hackle is a bit long and on the first one it needs to be started farther back and palmered. Just my opinion and nothing more. Would I fish with those fly’s Oh yea and probably make a killing. You have done a fabulous job on them and my suggestions are just to help you improve. The colors used on these are super. Please keep up the excellent work.

5

Thanks guys. I just picked the hackle out of the bag without really trying to select anything short or long. It looked a little long to me after I put it on, but I just left it that way.

When I started new material on it, I cemented it after I tied it. It was shown that way on the video, so I did it too.

I’m still looking for suggestions though. Any type of criticism is welcome. Also an idea about the head cement.

6

try clear nail polish

7

mnk- I never thought of that. I was considering Krazy glue, but I didn’t know what kind of effect that would have, if any. Plus I didn’t want to sound like a moron for suggesting it.

8

Joe, first off, "There is NO QUESTION that one can ask, when learning something “new” that “sounds dumb or moronic”!! If we DON’T ASK, ALL the questions about things we’re not sure of, none of us would learn anything!
I’ve been at this wallet crushing obsession for over 30+ years and I belong to FAOL to LEARN NEW THINGS, not to “tell others how to do it”. When and if, I do offer something, it’s because I’ve maybe “been there, done that” and usually, suffered for it, too so maybe what I post, can save another from repeating the mistakes I’ve made is all.
Now, speaking of “flybinder’s dumb mistakes and warning others about them”… I’d stear clear of using super glue, on flies, unless it’s a VERY special application that calls for an instantly setting cement. (like, applying eyes to streamers, etc.).
With your conventional, every day, typical, tied flies… stick with a good head cement only. The clear nail polish is a great suggestion. “Hard As Nails”, found in the “Sally Hansen cosmetics section” of any drug store is one of the best around. Dried fast, dries clear, with a nice shine to it, in multiple coatings.
I make my own, head cement, for 90% of my tying but I also will use Hard As Nails on occasion too. I just picked up 4 bottles of it, (about a 1,000 year supply!), for $1.00 a bottle, on sale at “Rite Aide” drug store. Normally, though, it’s only about $2.29 for a bottle that should last an average tier about, at least 5-6 months of steady tying.
One, I’m even MORE in favor of however, is "BT’s Products- “AquaTuff”. A fantastic head cement and can be thinned with plain water, if it thickens and/or, dries out. (like, I often do…leaving the cap off the bottle over night like an idiot!).
But, it’s a water based, cement and the best I’ve ever used. (other, than, the one I make myself!).
A lot of tiers will also argue AGAINST, using any head cement. And that’s okay too. For them. It’s a personal preference, thing really, to use a head cement or not.
I like to, because I like the assurance of the end result holding together, I like the “finished look” it gives to a fly, even tho’ the fish could care less! And, on dries, I like sealing the thread head from absorbing water and making the head too heavy to float after repeated dunkings. But, again, it’s all personal preference.

9

I really just wanted the head cement to toughen up the fly a little and hopefully extend its life some. That’s why I was cementing the materials, like the hackle, when I first attached it.

The next flies I tie are going to be nymphs, light cahill, and I’m going to try tying a honey bee from my own design. I haven’t seen any patterns for one but the bream should tear it up.

10

If you want to also try an “old standard” for a bee pattern, Joe, look up the “McGinty”! It’s a great bee and a really good warm water fly pattern!

11

Good job, Joe. Keep plugging away at it, and if you have not already done it, spend some time looking over Al Campbell’s Beginner Fly Tying to learn the basics.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/beginners/

Joe

12

I you want to add more durability to your buggers try counterwrapping the hackle with wire or heavy thread. Wiggle the counterwrap as you go so you don’t trap many hackle fibers and wrap counter to the direction you wrapped the hackle. If you started the hackle by wrapping over the shank away from you start the counterwrap by going under the hook shank away from you. Did you add any weight to the hook before you wrapped the body? A little weight is good. Wait till you catch a fish on your own tie, you will never be the same. Good hunting.

13

I have to second what Joe V. said – the Al Campbell lessons here are fantastic. Lot’s of good info that will not only make your tying better, it will make it easier.

BTW - great, absolutely great first effort!

14

I like them, but what you bring up about the materials in the kit, that is what is wrong with the kits. I even made up a few tool and material kits for some guys for tying jigs minus the vise, but it was more of a pain to do since I am not really set up to sell that stuff. They were happy with what I sent, but not sure I would do it again.

Anyway good job on your first of them bugs!

Skip

15

Some fly shops have free fly tying class’s. My club just finished a three day show with over 100 fly tiers. I tie for a local fly shop and I still learn something new every show.
The club has a tie-in where we get together to show new comers what we do.

16

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

-As far as the woollies being weighted, I didn’t weigh them down any, however, I did a red fox squirrel hair nymph today and added some lead wire to it before I tied it. It was easier than I thought it would be. Caught several bluegill on it and one bass also. I felt like I accomplished something…

As far as the glue goes… I decided against using anymore of the head cement that came with the kit and went with straight super-glue. Thankfully, I didn’t mess anything up.

So now I’m having way too much fun with this and am considering where I can acquire some more material. So since we have a black/brown dog and a striped yellow and white cat, AND it’s so close to shedding season, I am seriously considering borrowing some of their fur… I mean think about it… The colors are almost perfect…

17

Joe;
The materials you’re contemplating, (domesticus petis furus), can be very useful, for a lot of different fly dubbings. But, don’t always rely on just the “shed off furs”!!
You might contact “jeffnles1”, here, on FAOL if you’re really serious about using the DPF dubbing. Jeff has devised a fantastic way of marking off various areas and parts of family pets, (house cats, are his specialty), with a really easy to follow “color chart system”. I’m sure, for a small fee, he’ll send you a copy of his easy to follow directions.
Or, you can wait a little while longer and just buy his soon to be released book… “Tying With Pet Fur & The Cost Of Divorce”.
“How I Trashed Domestic Bliss For Fly Tying”
(autographed copies, run slightly higher)

Either, way, your nymph looks really good!

18

Joe,
As flybinder has stated, I have a concept for dubbing materials. I have even found the cat’s fur grows back much more quickly than originally thought. While I do not believe Dubbing, err, I mean Kitty looks forward to the process, he does not hate it as badly as I thought.

When you try it on your very own cat, I have two words of wisdom to share with you. WELDING GLOVES. Don’t ask, don’t think about it, just go out and get yourself a good pair of welding gloves. Their use should be self explainatory.

I like to think of the below color pattern as “Jeff’s springtime bass and bluegill collection”. Some of the olive and natural browns will also work for some of the classic trout fly patterns, I find this particular combination to be exceptionally well suited for the warm water species.

One thing I will caution about DPF dubbing is that one’s spouse, significant other, domestic partner will notice it. After a while, they will either pack up their bags and leave (hopefully they forget the cat) or they will just get used to the multi-colored kitty and, like the cat, they will grow to accept the new look. Flybinder did give me some sage wisdom regarding retaining a qualified Ambulance Chaser to represent me in all legal matters. Everyone from the local cat lady to PETA will be wondering about the multi-colored kitty. So far, I’ve attributed it to living art and as such is a federally protected form of free speech. Most of the locals have just scratched their heads and moved on. The wife is still around. She tells the local children to stay away from the crazy guy who colors cats, but she’s managed to “stand by her man” so far.

As always, your mileage may vary.

Jeff

19

For your first ties they look awesome, much better then mine. I have only been tying for a few months and you wont believe how much better the flies are looking.

20

Jeff your reply, had me rolling… Wouldn’t it be better to dye a white cat though? I may have to experiment with this some more… Maybe with a white German Shepard for longer guard hairs… I could be the crazy guy running around the county dying and shaving people’s pets…

I have many great ideas, but unfortunately, I’d probably go to jail for some of them…