keep_lookingup 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2013 Since I only tie small trout flies I just whip finish and do not use glue. If I started tying large saltwater flies or some thing like that I would have to rethink. When I did use glue many years ago I used Dave's Fleximent Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ugly Bob 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2013 Since I only tie small trout flies I just whip finish and do not use glue. If I started tying large saltwater flies or some thing like that I would have to rethink. When I did use glue many years ago I used Dave's Fleximent Many of my midges and 20 or smaller flies, I'm like you, no need for glue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSzymczyk 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2013 There is no room for "Never" or "Always" in fly tying. One could get by just fine for a lifetime with no head cement if all he tied were small dries, or other flies which do not have a lot of rather slippery material tied in at the head. I tie a lot of bucktail streamers which have a good amount of hair tied in which results in a relatively large diameter head holding the wing. No doubt a whip finish is the best knot to end with, but on its own it will not hold for long. Do something with squirrel tail and you will get an even better demonstration than with bucktail. Compare it to wrapping a rod- would you leave thread wraps uncoated and expect them to last? Head cement seals the thread wraps and can even be made to penetrate into the materials underneath. In fact one of the "secret" methods for durable bucktails is a small dab of cement on the butt-ends of the hair before it is tied in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
