michaelt 0 Report post Posted March 12, 2014 I am frustrated with the proportions of material on flies. Trying to tie black smut and calls for pheasant tail fibers, dubbing and hackle and cannot seem to stop crowding hook eye. Know just me and tying on #10 straight shank hook. hopefully this will pass. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bugsy 0 Report post Posted March 12, 2014 Agree w/flytire. Allow about a hook eye width of shank immediately behind the eye for finishing the head. Consider it a "No Tie Zone" and divide your fly segments (abdomen, throrax, whatever...) into the remaining portion of shank. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene L 0 Report post Posted March 12, 2014 It's easy enough to crowd the eye. It's a common thing to do, but don't worry. If you leave that open space before the eye and don't go beyond it until you tie your head, you'll be glad you did. Also, tie back a little more than you think is right, and you'll be able to judge the materials. There's a tool called "The Golden Mean" tool for fly tying that gives you the proper proportions for flies, or if you follow the formula, about anything else. The Golden Mean is a measurement in nature that most every proportion in nature follows. But your eye gets eventually to do this, so close as necessary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted March 12, 2014 since fly proportions are based on the hook why not get used to using it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ditz2 0 Report post Posted March 12, 2014 I have been tying off and on for over 40 years and I still struggle with it. Guess what...I still catch fish......If you get the problem fixed let me know your secret.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ty Flyer 0 Report post Posted March 14, 2014 I agree with flytire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites