A few months ago, we launched a new series of videos called “One-Minute Fly-Tying Tips and Techniques” from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions. Each video will teach a single tying skill, from the most basic to the advanced. Ultimately, the series will serve as a sort of encyclopedia of tying skills that will be a valuable resource for anyone who sits down at a vise to create a fly.
Dumbell eyes add weight to a streamer pattern, plus they allow the fly to ride hook-upward and impart a jigging motion when you strip line. The problem is that they also tend to rotate around the hook shank, ruining both the fly’s profile and motion in the water. In this short video, Tim explains his method for securing the eyes to the shank through a series of different wraps meant to lock the eyes in place. I particularly like the penultimate step of wrapping around the previous wraps in order to tighten them. So the next time you’re tying a Clouser or a heavy nymph, use these steps to make sure everything stays where it should be.
Good tutorial!! Thanks!
Hi Orvis,
You said, “I particularly like the penultimate step of wrapping around the previous wraps in order to tighten them.”
It is called ‘Frapping’.
The geek in me can not resist… 😉
Craig
I love learning new words. Thanks! Here in New England, a milkshake is called a “frappe” (pronounced “frap”).
To geek even further. This method of connecting one round object to another at a right angle is called “square lashing” and has nautical origins. Arrrr…
The classic technique taught by Bob Clouser has more cross wraps but this method has square wraps which look stronger when frapping as they are not pulling against the oblique angle of the diagonal wraps. I’ll have to give it a try! I also add CYA to the base wraps and sometimes to the layers of wrapped thread while wrapping.