Knotted P/T legs

[PETI]

Pintsize in the muddler thread pointed out a pattern for the Daddy Muddler that had knotted pheasant tail legs.
I've struggled with that technique in the past to the point of almost buying a tool to help. The grey matter has deleted that synapse connection but was wondering if anyone has a way of tying the knots with any degree of uniformity for the club fingered tyer.

Peter

[FlyShopKristin]

The secret to uniform hopper legs...... pre-knotted "legs on a stick" Here's a pic (http://www.spiritriverinc.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16297&cat=310&page=1) so you get a sense of what they are.

[PETI]

Seem them, takes all the fun out of it. What is life without frustration.
Thanks though, do appreciate your taking time to respond.

Peter

[sashjo]

A guide told me that fish don't count the number of legs on a bug. If that is true, it follows that fish don't notice perfect joint allignment either. BTW, a small pair of hackle pliars works well for me.

[PETI]

Sashjo,
How?
Grabbing by the tip, forming a loop and poking it through?
This was running on replay in my mind last night, as is the norm with the day's events. Realized I didn't have the Radio Shack, test probe/hackle pliers, the last time I tried this. On the plate for tonight. Might have answered my own question as is sometimes the case, if I ask it often enough.

peter

[Moscow]

Hi,

I usually cut 6-7 pheasant tail fibers, hold them by the butts in my left hand and with my right hand form an over hand loop in the fibers. I pinch the looped fibers with my left and reach through the loop from the front (or top) with a pair of hemastats, grab the tips and pull them through the loop. Slowly tightening, I can generally place the overhand knot where I want it along the fibers. It takes a little practice but is realitively easy after the first 100 or so ;) The Bench Side Fly Tiers Reference has a section of tieing legs too - though I don't have it in front of me.

Moscow

[PETI]

Moscow,

I getting pretty near 100 now so I guess I'm close to eureka.
Head down, one step at a time. Or in the words of my favorite P.I.
" work the lock, don't look at the dogs"

Thanks
Peter

[pintsize]

Beware of the pre-knotted pheasant tail legs, they have only one knot in them and the knot usually is quite a way from the end of the fibre.

I use a tool called "The Daddy" available from SwiftMicroProducts in the UK. Its a little expensive but it makes life so much easier getting those legs tied. I can do a leg in roughly 3 seconds with it.

http://www.swiftmicroproducts.co.uk/

It lets you do quite a few different knots using pheasant tail fibres or even peacock herl.

The knots it does are :-

Single knot - Used for Hoppers, hawthorns etc.
Double knotted leg - Used for Daddies / Crane Flies (The one used on the daddy muddler - First knot 10mm from end of fibre , second knot 30mm from end of fibre)
Double Fibre - Single knot - use for Bristol Hoppers

{Possibilities are endless.

[PETI]

Thanks Pintsize. I think that was the tool I had seen previously. Too spendy and the wish list is filled up right now, new waders trump tying tools.
The Radio shack mini clip has made it somewhat easier and with time/practice will do well enough.

Peter

[Desmond Wiles]

I've got a little tool I made a year ago out of a safety pin. I've uploaded a quick drawing to show what it looks like.... pretty simple really, just bend the point end two times to form an eye. You'll want the point to lay flat against the standing part so that it's as smooth of a transition as possable.

It works just like a threader really, and I find it easier to tie the fibers while they're still on the stem. Here's how it works:

1)grab a few fibers & form a loop
2)stick the threader through the loop
3)stick the ends of your fibers through the eye
4)carefully pull the threader back out of the loop, making sure your fiber tips don't come loose.

Des