Learned a new trick...

I've always got flash out of the zip strip thingy and laid it out on my table, 4 or 10 or 20 pieces at a time depending on my tie. Every time I would go to tie it in would line them all up to try keep waste down, and always have to cut the ends to get them even. Here is my solution... :)

When I pull them out for the first time, I line em up even and clip on my hackle pliers to one end of the bunch I am using. Keeps them together after I cut them on my jig and just set aside for the next one. Need to get some rubber padded pliers, bet they would hold even better. :cool: Am sure this is a trick many use who tie large numbers of the same jigs, but never occured to me till I got into these swaps.


Sometimes the simple things take a while to get thru... like starting at the bottom of the feather for marabou! Just learned that one. :o I've tied mostly flies off and on for almost 20 years now!!

Anyone got ways of dealing with their material they have learned, I wanna know the simple stuff that you take for granted that a newbie would not know. Thanks - AtticaFish

AF,
Good idea on the flash stuff. Got me thinking .The swap thing is like tying commercialy. Lots of jigs the same.Hogan was suppose to send me pictures on the maribou thing but never did. Would you post how the maribou thing works . I tye a lot of maribou and the way I do it seems like a lot of waste. One thing I learned on the bobbin threading is start the thread in the end and suck the thread through instead of using a threader. A lot faster. I am still trying to figure out powder coat eyes . I think we should have a contest with a prize for the eye thingy. By the way, anyone needing parts for their lead pots, Lee has parts on there web site http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...726.4423=90009. Mine was leaking bad and I ordered the bottom pot and plunger with shipping for $15.00. These people are great to work with. Thanks for the ideas!!

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Originally Posted by ifish

One thing I learned on the bobbin threading is start the thread in the end and suck the thread through instead of using a threader. A lot faster.

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Just recently learned this one as well. :) Does make thread change much quicker!

With the marabou, what I learned was to just start at he bottom (thicker end) and work to the top pulling off pieces. Just makes it much easier. Not sure if this is what you are talking about...

Sorry, can't help with the powder paint, I use nail polish.

When using Krystal flash, use a pair of sissors to snip the top corner of the plastic bag almost half way across. Use your bodkin to pick out only as many strands as you need. No need to remove it at all.
Those cheap hackle pliers that never seem to hold anything well, can be greatly improved by placing a short piece of shrink tube over at least one tip. When shrunk on ,those pliers will work well. Illinoisgiller

Ifish

Let us know how hard/easy it is to change everything out!!!! I'm tempted to take them up on their rehab offer for the pot I use the most. I bought it in 1984 and it's still kickin putting out the jigs and sinkers.

For half the cost of a new and get a rehabilitated one with a new 2 year warranty, doesn't sound to bad, I hate messing with anything electrical.

Fatman

I posted this a while back, but recently learned to lay a thread base when tying bucktail jigs. It will keep the bucktail from sliding around the slick metal hook shank when your tying to tie them.

Fatman,
Will do. I paid $42 for mine new. The rehab would cost me more with shipping and everything. I tried reseating the valve with lapping compound but it made it worse. The origanal rod seat sits on top of the hole and I just made it where it plunges into the seat and lets lead build up inside the hole. I am going to try just the rod first and see if that works. The pot just slides out of the hole after you take out the 3 screws on top. Hot lead splattering on you hurts !! Gotta fix it somehow .

Don't pass up yard sales when looking for synthetic fur/hair. There is some very nice hair located atop the heads of troll dolls. You might be surprised at the great number of colors too. These include purples, violets, oranges, chartreuse, and fluorescent reds, greens, and yellows to name a few.

Yard sales in subdivisions where young families sell children's toys can produce some really good and inexpensive finds.