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DIY Shanks

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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

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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?

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Good Tip!
I like the 1.5's. I use blow gun darts as shanks.
I have also modified another pair of 1.5's
so that it doesn't trim but creates a U bend.

Kimo

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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

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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

 

post-47446-0-45529500-1521321865_thumb.jpg

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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

 

attachicon.gif2018-03-17 17.24.07.jpg

They look great. I have not used them that way yet but plan too.

 

Kevin

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

v5MgcQv.jpg

 

Baitfish

fpUwQyN.jpg

 

 

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.

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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.

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