[A/L/D]

Got my box of fly tying goodies, and tied my first fly, the pattern i use the most for trout, leeches.

I cant wait to make some for a trip for cutthroat in the next few week! Although i had a question, how do i let my bobbin hang down while i handle other materials without it unraverling and loosing my tight wraps? Thank, and if people could suggest some patterns that are beginner friendly and dont need any exotic material, that would be awsome!

 

[meh.meh.meh.meh.meh.]

I am pretty new to tying so there maybe better suggestions but I will put a half hitch in after most steps to keep the thread tight.

 

[troutpocket]

Nice job. Eventually you'll train your hands and stop knocking your bobbin around while you handle other materials. Until then, what Squatchin said is a good idea.

 

[tinman207]

Half hitch works well if thread wrap count is an issue like on small flies, or if it's at an area where there is a fast taper and wraps can slip like at the head. But usually for me a couple tight wraps and letting the bobbin hang under tension is enough. Then I pinch the last wraps a tiny bit when I pick up the bobbin for that second where the tension is let up. Just tie a bunch of your favorite pattern and thread tension control becomes a motor skill you don't think about as much.

 

[Jim F.]

A half hitch will work if you're bumping your bobbin. I hang a whip finish tool on my bobbin on occasion - not to add additional weight/tension, but to keep the bobbin from spinning when I'm away from the vise for a time. That would probably help with your current problem. that's a buggy-looking leech by the way.

 

[A/L/D]

Thanks for all the advice, kept at it and am much more comfortable with the bobbin, also not ripping the thread every 10 turns

Made some soft hackle wet flies, not sure about the blue one, but the rest might catch fish.

 

[John smith]

Good looking bugs ALD! Tying your own creation is one of the most rewarding aspects of fly fishing. Enjoy the learning process and your inevitable new addiction.
Just about any pattern you want to spin up is on youtube. Focus on technique. If it doesn't look right. Pull it off and tie another one until it does. Also invest in some double sided razor blades. They are cheap and wicked sharp (used for cutting material off ugly bugs and salvaging hooks) Hooks are expensive.
As for ripping the thread. It happens. I still do it more than I'd like to admit. If you're tying buggers use a larger thread. No need to go small on that pattern. UTC 140 is pretty stout and won't bulk up too much on a bugger pattern.

 

[Jim F.]

Always nice to see someone new start in the fly-crafting game & you're on your way.

 

[Stonefish]

Good job getting started.
Just a suggestion. Keep the first fly you tied and don't fish it.
In 10, 20 years look back at it. I think you'll appreciate having kept it.
SF

 

[Jim F.]

Keep the first fly you tied and don't fish it.

Sound advice! Mine is/was in a carnivorous tree alongside of a crick in SW Montana . . .

 

[Buzzy]

I often use my whip finishing tool to secure materials before going onto the next step, but not always. Some of my ties are more prone to a spastic moment where my efforts get undone.

Question: do you debarb before or after you tie? I debarb before.

I really like your first fly, I'd fish it! Using hindsight, I think Stonefish's suggestion has merit. Like Mr Ficklin, my first tie ended up in an over hanging alder tree (different creek).

 

[Stonefish]

My point for keeping the first fly you tie is to be able to look back on it years from now and see how much your tying has improved.
I recall looking back on my first that I found lying around my house a few years ago and getting a damn good chuckle.
A/L/D's first puts my first to shame
SF

 

[Old406Kid]

So...am I the only landlord out there that read "low rent leech" and envisioned something else?

Seriously, nice work and have fun catching on your own creations.

 

[madmike98]

If I were you I would fish the hell out of the blue one. Nice ties. Davie Mcphail has excellent videos on YouTube.

 

[plaegreid]

I tie up a blue chironomid that works well, your blue guy will work!

 

[Shopkeeper]

Kind of late to the question, but when I'm reaching for material or selecting hackle or whatever that demands I let go of the bobbin, I pull it down far enough that the thread rests on the desk-edge.

This keeps it from being bumped up or swinging wildly and unravelling everything. When I'm ready, I just spool up the thread and resume...Simplistic, but it works well for me.

Flies look great, btw...Like others have said: Keep the first...mine was 30 years ago and I wish I had it now.

 

[Dupher]

The blue one will absolutely catch fish, nice work on all of them


<*))))<

 

[A/L/D]

Kind of late to the question, but when I'm reaching for material or selecting hackle or whatever that demands I let go of the bobbin, I pull it down far enough that the thread rests on the desk-edge.

View attachment 122554

This keeps it from being bumped up or swinging wildly and unravelling everything. When I'm ready, I just spool up the thread and resume...Simplistic, but it works well for me.

Flies look great, btw...Like others have said: Keep the first...mine was 30 years ago and I wish I had it now.

Thanks for the tip, and i have my first fly tucked away safely away from my box