eastern fly 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 I wanted to post this in Timely Tips but couldn't. I have been making my own shanks for a good while now. I just got a pair of Beadalon Wire Looping Pliers. The make the job much easier. Give them a try. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piker20 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 Good shout Kevin, beading pliers are very good for this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishinguy 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 Boy those look handy. I've been using Jewelers pliers with two round Jaws and a board with 2 nails in it. It's a bit of a pain, but still easier than adding fish spines to my online shopping cart. Talk about overpriced. What diameter wire are you using? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimo 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 Good Tip!I like the 1.5's. I use blow gun darts as shanks.I have also modified another pair of 1.5'sso that it doesn't trim but creates a U bend.Kimo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fshng2 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 http://globalflyfisher.com/picture/diy-shanks http://globalflyfisher.com/tie-better/intruder-shanks-wire-and-hooks#node-48220 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eastern fly 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 Boy those look handy. I've been using Jewelers pliers with two round Jaws and a board with 2 nails in it. It's a bit of a pain, but still easier than adding fish spines to my online shopping cart. Talk about overpriced. What diameter wire are you using? I use .022 for some of my articulations. The shanks are .035 and .041. The pliers really help out and cheaper than the wire twisters. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fshng2 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 1st attempt @ shanks for flies (criticism welcome) Decided to try wrapping vs U bend. IMO better to use .035 for anything over 1 inch to prevent bending final product during use. Bottom: .024" ss wire (1" lg) #4 hook Mid: .024" ss wire (2" lg) #2 hook Top: .035" ss wire (3" lg) 1/0 hook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 Kimo I bet blow gun darts work great, great diameter and high quality wire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eastern fly 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2018 1st attempt @ shanks for flies (criticism welcome) Decided to try wrapping vs U bend. IMO better to use .035 for anything over 1 inch to prevent bending final product during use. Bottom: .024" ss wire (1" lg) #4 hook Mid: .024" ss wire (2" lg) #2 hook Top: .035" ss wire (3" lg) 1/0 hook 2018-03-17 17.24.07.jpg They look great. I have not used them that way yet but plan too. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishinguy 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2018 1st attempt @ shanks for flies (criticism welcome) Decided to try wrapping vs U bend. IMO better to use .035 for anything over 1 inch to prevent bending final product during use. Bottom: .024" ss wire (1" lg) #4 hook Mid: .024" ss wire (2" lg) #2 hook Top: .035" ss wire (3" lg) 1/0 hook 2018-03-17 17.24.07.jpg planning on tying on the tail? Split ring is not the typical method, but I suppose it should work fine. Just watch the cut end of the wire. Cuts thread like a razor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishinguy 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2018 1st attempt @ shanks for flies (criticism welcome) Decided to try wrapping vs U bend. IMO better to use .035 for anything over 1 inch to prevent bending final product during use. Bottom: .024" ss wire (1" lg) #4 hook Mid: .024" ss wire (2" lg) #2 hook Top: .035" ss wire (3" lg) 1/0 hook 2018-03-17 17.24.07.jpg planning on tying on the tail? Split ring is not the typical method, but I suppose it should work fine. Just watch the cut end of the wire. Cuts thread like a razor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimo 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2018 Kimo I bet blow gun darts work great, great diameter and high quality wire. Pretty cheap too. $5 for a hundred. They are about 4" long. They also make great bodkins. Kimo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2018 Kimo I bet blow gun darts work great, great diameter and high quality wire. Pretty cheap too. $5 for a hundred. They are about 4" long.They also make great bodkins. Kimo Yea we used to have some blowguns when we were kids lots of fun, they make like a 8 or 10 inch dart too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fshng2 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2018 planning on tying on the tail? Split ring is not the typical method, but I suppose it should work fine. Just watch the cut end of the wire. Cuts thread like a razor. Blueback Herring Swapped out the 1/0 for a 3/0; total length 6 inch. Baitfish Overall Comment: 1. My initial observation using .035 dia wire for flies over 1 inch holds true for tying as well. Wire diameter less than .035 for large flies will bend and make tying difficult. 2. As a precaution I tied over the cut end on the front of the flies to prevent any damage to the tippet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strutnstuff 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2018 Just started making my own shanks out of 19gauge annealed wire. The first few look a little rough but I am sure they will get better. I haven't tried them yet, will try some on tube flies in the next few weeks. Thanks for sharing this idea, the bead pliers make it more easy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites