First timer here...Be gentle!

[surfstix1963]

Some just prefer it, I don't find it to be needed the half hitches and HAN will hold it. I also epoxy my heads.

Is there a big difference in whip finishing opposed to half hitch? is one better than the other?..And your right surfstix i got all winter to sharpen my skills

[Blazin420]

Thanx again guys..And thanx for the input surfstix..I wanna try some epoxy on my next bunch..Oh they work!!! Picked up a short on the black and purple last night!!! Really cool to get a fish on something you made yourself!

[J Barbosa]

As mentioned its very important to put thread on the shank so the material has something to grip to.

I think the whip finish produces a cleaner look but in the end it's the epoxy or glue that's going to hold the fly together not the knot. The knot is just to keep the thread tight until you coat it with something more permanent so use whatever you like.

Epoxy gives a nice finished look to the teaser and protects the wraps. I'm currently using 5 minute epoxy which hardens on the vice but I'm going to look into a drying wheel and 30min epoxy over the winter.

If you buy white thread you can color the finished wrap any color you want with a sharpie. Just allow it to dry before coating with epoxy.

I usually add sticker eyes (WTP - witchcraft tape prism eyes) before coating with epoxy and that gives it a nice look and adds some reflection.

I will coat the dry epoxy with hard as nails and that helps it from cracking.

I have some bucktail molds if you want to pour your own. They are modified to take the forged Mustad 34185 hooks.

[surfstix1963]

Your Welcome BTW I use the 30 minute Devcon.5 minute works but it is not waterproof it softens quick in the water use very thin coats unless you have a spinner

Thanx again guys..And thanx for the input surfstix..I wanna try some epoxy on my next bunch..Oh they work!!! Picked up a short on the black and purple last night!!! Really cool to get a fish on something you made yourself!

[J Barbosa]

Your Welcome BTW I use the 30 minute Devcon.5 minute works but it is not waterproof it softens quick in the water use very thin coats unless you have a spinner

That explains why I have had some crack on me after catching a few fish.

That problem went away once I started coating them with hard as nails.

I always just thought the 30min was much harder.

Great stuff here

[Flytyingguy1]

General rule of thumb you want your lighter color on the bottom of your ties.