Tying in weighted eyes?

[Gerrit Viljoen]

Quick question for the salty fly tyers; how do you tie in your weighted eyes,(dumbbells, sea,etc) what thread do you use and do you use cement at all? If yes what? (glue,varnish,etc) My question is actually freshwater related but I'm interested to hear if the tying procedure differs. Do you also do fig of 8 wraps with additional wraps before and after the eyes or is it completely different?

Thanx.

[gazzarowan]

i may not be correct, but i tie it in the same for the fresh and for the salt application...

all i do for the salt, is use some epoxy on the thread before tying in the materials and let it set with the materials tied in.

finally I epoxy the rest of the thread

[Scythe]

all i do for the salt, is use some epoxy on the thread before tying in the materials and let it set with the materials tied in.

Only problem with that is that Epoxy doesn't penetrate the thread wraps, bulks up and provides a slippery surface when it sets.

Try seating your bumbells and when done saturate the thread with Super Glue which incidentally will also penetrate back to the hook shank and make it all sit like the hook was cast that way

It takes a few minutes to set properly so I usually "make" 5/10 eye/hook combos (speed tying style) then proceed to finish my first fly (which should be well dried and set by then)

[rory]

....Try seating your bumbells and when done saturate the thread with Super Glue which incidentally will also penetrate back to the hook shank and make it all sit like the hook was cast that way...)

I agree with Bertu here on the superglue, but I add epoxy over alles when I'm done. I wrap the eyes on, superglue them down, spraypaint, paint the pupils and then cover the whole lot in epoxy.

[Scythe]

I wrap the eyes on, superglue them down, spraypaint, paint the pupils and then cover the whole lot in epoxy.

Ja, the Epoxy over the paint makes it a bit more resilient, especially if you're fishing structure like rocks etc ... I hate it when you tie a lovely (virtually indestructible) fly that loses it's appeal because the eyes are chipped/damaged/etc.

[rory]

Ja, the Epoxy over the paint makes it a bit more resilient, especially if you're fishing structure like rocks etc ... I have it when you tie a lovely (virtually indestructible) fly that loses it's appeal because the eyes are chipped/damaged/etc.

Spot on. I suppose for freshwater application its not necessary to epoxy, up to the individual.

[MCC]

Hi Gerrit

I put two small bumps of thread on the shank (1 to 1.5 mm apart - depending on hook & eye size), then simply fig 8 wrap with a touch of super glue when you are halfway with the fig 8 wraps.

Finish the wrapping, wrap pearl flash over shank and over fig 8 thread wraps. Use stick on eyes, dip just the flat surfaces of the eyes in High Build as well as body and fig 8 wraps and allow to set in a rotisserie.

Onse fully cured, tie in wing and finish head with High Build - this will then seep into the base of the wing and secure everything in place.

I don't like using mono thread or the thick saltwater thread preferring 6/0 white thread for all saltwater applications.

Cheers
MC

[smallstreams.co.za]

Anyoen used this before?

[smallstreams.co.za]

These were tied with it ....

[Gerrit Viljoen]

Hi Gerrit

I put two small bumps of thread on the shank (1 to 1.5 mm apart - depending on hook & eye size), then simply fig 8 wrap with a touch of super glue when you are halfway with the fig 8 wraps.

Thanks Mc, never gone the thread bump route but I am familiar with it. Just did 12 eyes that way and it felt really strong. I also used normal thread instead of fine mono thread which obviously absorbs vs to the mono.