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tetraodontoxin

Gut substitute

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On 4/13/2021 at 1:45 PM, SalarMan said:

Interesting point about the super glue, but that has nothing to do with use of real gut simply because real gut needs none of the above processes that are required to make an artificial replica in order to tie Classic Atlantic Salmon Flies for show purposes...NOT FISHNG flies.

Real gut need only be soaked in water for a few hours or more, then use the twister McPhail demonstrates and voila!!  I use the Japanese silk gut manufactured after WWII, and all that stuff requires is 10 to 15 minutes in warm water, put the desired number of strands in a cordless drill chuck, the other end in the jaws of your vise with equal tension on all strands,  then slowly twist the strands to get the desired look followed by letting this dry for a few hours or over night. When tied in place you can't tell it from the real thing. However it is NOT  suitable for fishing. Japanese gut eye pictured below.

As the old saying goes...there is more than one way to skin a cat.

1452494008_DSC_0010(3).JPG.c2ee1e46b2d4d75b3e749c6091aa3323.JPG

I’ve looked into the silkworm gut, I just had all the materials laying around the house. I just didn’t feel it necessary to purchase gut when I could make my own. Also, is it proper to tie in the gut loop below or along side the hook? I’ve seen pictures and instruction on both ways.

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13 hours ago, tetraodontoxin said:

I’ve looked into the silkworm gut, I just had all the materials laying around the house. I just didn’t feel it necessary to purchase gut when I could make my own. Also, is it proper to tie in the gut loop below or along side the hook? I’ve seen pictures and instruction on both ways.

It is considered proper and traditional to tie the eye in place on the underside of the hook. When tying in hand that spot serves as a place to temporarily put the thread while prepping other parts of the fly yet to be tied in.

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To comment further...I totally agree with the plan to use material on hand at home to create the "gut" eyes for classic salmon flies. That follows the thinking about using substitute exotic materials in the flies as well...such as subs for very expensive Red Indian Crow, Toucan, Blue Chatterer, etc. Does it really matter? No of course not. Tie the flies, enjoy the process and forget being concerned about the authenticity of each and  every part. It all boils down to having just plain fun!!

Cheers,
George

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On 4/16/2021 at 1:21 PM, SalarMan said:

To comment further...I totally agree with the plan to use material on hand at home to create the "gut" eyes for classic salmon flies. That follows the thinking about using substitute exotic materials in the flies as well...such as subs for very expensive Red Indian Crow, Toucan, Blue Chatterer, etc. Does it really matter? No of course not. Tie the flies, enjoy the process and forget being concerned about the authenticity of each and  every part. It all boils down to having just plain fun!!

Cheers,
George

Absolutely, I do definitely enjoy this hobby, I’ve got a list of flies I would love to tie. Some need some unique materials, though not as rare as red Indian crow. Also thanks for the information on the gut loop position, most of what I’ve found online just says attach gut to hook.

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Go to John McLain's site...feathersmc.com....and you will find pretty much whatever you need to tie these flies. Great guy...and FINE materials.

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On 5/4/2021 at 7:22 AM, SalarMan said:

Go to John McLain's site...feathersmc.com....and you will find pretty much whatever you need to tie these flies. Great guy...and FINE materials.

Most defintely!

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