Minor trick, part two.

[daringduffer]

Since I am not as controlled with my hands as Hans, for instance, I need help. I use a Tiemco bobbin holder (like Hans does in his videos). I have put a few mm long piece of shrink tubing on the ceramic tube and heated it until it's almost stuck. When the fly is done, I slide it onto the hook to control those unruly bird pieces in the front of it. More slick than anything else I have used. Stays in place until needed, fits snugly on both the fly and the bobbin holder.

dd

[Izaak]

terrific idea! do the hackles suffer at all as you pull the tube back off? I wouldn't think so....

[chase creek]

I've used the old straw for the same purpose for years, but I like the idea of the shrink tubing.
I put the shrink tubing on the jaws of mt English style hackle pliers and have had no problem with the jaws cutting the hackle stems since. Good stuff.

By the way, heat it with a 100w light bulb instead of a match or lighter - you woun't burn it that way.

[Mataura mayfly]

I have used a split drinking straw section as a hackle guard (longer sections are a good way to store tube flies and unruly hair wings or steelhead flies. Leave in place until the fly is tied to the leader and slip off the back so as not to damage hackle or wing material.) I have heat shrink installed on one jaw of all my English style hackle pliers.
Have not tried or thought of a slip piece on the bobbin holder though, great idea!