Tinsel Underbodies...

[CreationBear]

My tinsel bodies don't look like Hans'. Please help.

I realize this is a "Flytying 101" question for y'all, but I'm trying to figure out just where the suck is coming from. Here's the situation: if I were to try to tie one of the patterns Hans recently posted, at some point on the hook shank one of the wraps would "pucker" and not lie flat, thus throwing all the subsequent wraps off. I think I'm working with a pretty smooth thread underbody (and realize that Hans is probably wrapping on a bare hook) so let's take that off the table for now.

Is it a matter of consistent thread (i.e "tinsel") tension? I've noticed that I tend to wrap the silver side of a gold/silver strand of tinsel better than the gold, perhaps because I'm working against the natural memory of the material as it's coming off the spool. I've also been a bit foggy about the "touching turns" business--does this mean the edges of each wrap absolutely do not lie on top of one another?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated...

[Kelly L.]

I put down a thread base, then I add a bit of nail polish like Sally's to the thread base. I used to have a horrible time with the tinsel unwinding on me. You can start the tinsel at the head, and work your way down, then back up to the head. OR, you can do a thread base, Start the tinsel at the head, keep it straight, don't wind it...wrap with threat do the area you want to start. Then wind up to the head. It is better if you do touching turns. (no overlaps) This is the way I do it, but there may be some who disagree with what I've said. (oh and it helps to keep the tinsel tight as you wrap, no loose turns...tight now) Then you can also cover the whole thing with nail polish, let it dry, then finish the fly. That is not necessary, but it does help fish proof it a bit. I have also used a uv resin over the tinsel. For presentation flies, I would not coat it though.

[Mike Connor]

There are several ways of doing it, here is one with a pretty good explanation;

http://www.flyfishersrepublic.com/tying/tinsel-body/

TL
MC

[CreationBear]

Thanks for the advice and the link--I definitely could use a bit more QC in terms of how I tie-in materials that lie underneath the tinsel, especially. (The FF-Republic tutorial also reminded me that I've become a little loosey-goosey with how I tie off, as well....a great site, though I wish he weren't a lefty sometimes. )

Now, I'll lock my ballpeen hammer collection safely away, grab some of Kelly's SHHAN, and try to put some things in practice.

[narcodog]

CB, Good thread. I was wondering is how Hans did a single layer without any bulge in the tinsel. A double row I have no problem, well most of the time. One the single layer where is the tie in spot>

[tgif]

Well, i can't speak for Hans, but here are a few things i've learned over the years.

1. If you're tying in over a tail, or going to have a rib, or if there is any material other than thread, make sure that it extends as far forward as possible, and preferable as far as the body that you plan to build.... with clean threadwraps over that, you'll avoid the bumps. Many people i tie with, till tie the tinsel in at the eye of the hook, wrap over it back to the bend or tag, and start wrapping tinself from there.

2. for a single layer, cut the tinsel at an angle so you have less bulk under your first wrap. secondly, try to insure that the tag end of the tinsel, that you're tying in, is shorter in length, than the tinsel is wide, which means that one wrap of tinsel can cover the entire tie in point, and you can create a smoother transition.

Tinsel bodies, especially on my other favorite flies (rangeley style streamers) can be maddening, but they look SOOOOO good when done right

[CreationBear]

Great info--I bet you pull off some really refined flies. Definitely post a few of those long irons on the 'cabin.