Caddis question

[Smooth]

Sorry to bother all you folks with this question, but I can't seem to come to a definitive answer for myself.
When tying Elk Hair Caddis, Clark's Caddis, or a similar pattern with the clipped head, do you whip finish behind the head (between the head and wing), or in front of the head (between head and hook eye)?

I have tried both ways and can't decide which looks better. It is certainly easier (for a bumble like me) to whip finish behind the head, but what do others like/prefer. Or better yet, what do you think the trout like better?

Thanks Any and All...

[FT]

I've always put the whip finish in front of the hair tuft at the head of the fly simply because I find it easier to do and it produces a more secure fly. In other words, I put it just behind the hook's eye. This is very easy to do by pulling the hair tuft (wing butt) back with your left hand and holding it there as you tie the whip finish.

[obiwankanobi]

Great question. That is up to the tier. What I do when tying this pattern is once I secure the wing and clip the ends, dab a small drop of cement on the threads. This will make the elk/deer hair not so ridgid and then whip where you tied the head on. Funny thing about this pattern, I always had a problem with the wing slipping around, so what I did was make one loop around the clump of hair and then another loop that went around the hook. Cinch it tight and the wing will rest firmly on top of the body. I'd like to say I invented that step, but I am sure many of tiers do that as well.

Bob

[Dr Bob]

I tye the elk hair down with 2 loose wraps first then a few tight wraps to flare the elk hair and form the head. I do this while holding the hair in place. I then raise the butt section of the elk hair (the head end towards the eye of the hook) and do a few tight wraps around the hook shank and against the elk hair to pinch it and raise the head off the shank. I then cut the butts off the hair (just slightly behind the eye of the hook) and whip finish around the hook shank behind the eye. I found the pinch wraps to hold the elk hair in place to be the most important to prevent the hair wing from moving. I then turn the fly over and add cement.

Dr Bob:beer2:

[Smooth]

Thanks for the input folks!
I will give these things a try. I guess it really does boil down to what the individual prefers when tying. As long as the end result generates interest from the trout...
Good luck to all.

[sashjo]

I tye the elk hair down with 2 loose wraps first then a few tight wraps to flare the elk hair and form the head. I do this while holding the hair in place. I then raise the butt section of the elk hair (the head end towards the eye of the hook) and do a few tight wraps around the hook shank and against the elk hair to pinch it and raise the head off the shank. I then cut the butts off the hair (just slightly behind the eye of the hook) and whip finish around the hook shank behind the eye. I found the pinch wraps to hold the elk hair in place to be the most important to prevent the hair wing from moving. I then turn the fly over and add cement.

Dr Bob:beer2:

This is THE best method!

[Smooth]

I have tried all these suggestions and each one helps me tie a better fly, thanks!
One more trick in case anyone else reads this:
I have started trimming the head AFTER whip finishing; it is easier for me to hold the hair out of the way with the long ends still on. And I have decided (just for myself) that whip finishing in front of the head leaves me with a fly that is easier for me to tie to the tippet.
Good luck to All