whip finish or half hitch does it matter in the end

[FrequentTyer 0]

I completely agree with Sandfly and JSz..Every fly I tie gets a whip finish and spar varnish. But the reason I do that is that I have always done it and it works. I can't imagine doing anything else. If your half hitching and happy, then go for it. Be your own worst critic and your flys will always please you.

[Hellgrammite 0]

 

Watch what "direction" you do your whip finishes--- they should be done the same as a rod guide finish, the tag end being pulled back UNDER the wraps. If it is done backwards, a single strand of thread (the weak link) is stretched OVER the wraps, and makes for a fragile knot. Normally, the correct direction is TOWARD the eye of the hook.

 

Huh. I didnt know this.

 

Now I do.

[DaddyO 0]

I apply a little Sally Hansen's to the thread and then whip finish. Prior to that method, I had problems with the fly coming apart. But, I tend to use the same fly over and over. After 10 or 12 fish, the fly is usually breaking down, somewhere, except the knot, now.

[switch10 0]

I used to use 3 or so half hitches with head cement. About 6 months ago I bought and learned how to use a whip finish tool. A whip finish looks much nicer, and in my experience holds much better.

[mybadhabit 0]

It all depends on the fly for me, whether I whip finish only or add the head cement, or half hitch and cement, a lot depends on how much room I have, or if I have to finish over a large head, such as a clouser(whip finish and cement). Like has been stated before, it is kind of situational, if I have a large foam head or lip to go over, I half hitch and cement(always cement on a half hitch). On really small flies, I whip finish only, I don't want to take the chance of getting cement on the eye or in the collar hackle, and on the smaller ones, they don't last more than a few fish anyway.

 

Blane

[rolsen 0]

I only use whip finish as a last step with my flies.

[perchjerker 0]

The direct answer to a direct question: NO! It does NOT make any difference!

[H Dot Verseman 0]

define any difference...

[Wavey1988 0]

I don't feel I have enough experience tying to make an informed decision. But for me personally, I find whip finishes hold better than a half hitch.

[perchjerker 0]

The definition is to be found in any English Dictionary. A good one for starters is "Webster's XXX New Collegiate Dictionary" (where the XXX's stand for the numeric edition).

[Will K 0]

Most of the time I whip finish... For some flies (like bead heads or tiny stuff) Ill put super glue on the 1-2" of thread hanging from the fly and then whip finish which makes somethign that is hard to come apart about impossible (a super glue impregnated whip finish!)...

 

Will

[gaffer 0]

I hate using cement so more often I will use 2 whip finishes and a dab of CA glue if I remember. It may be over kill, but it is just habit.

 

I've never been a fan of putting the cement/glue on the thread before I whip finish as I somehow end up with glue everywhere.

 

To each their own.

 

A