Bullet heads

[Troutmaster]

I've attempted to tie a few hair bullet heads but have not had the best success. What hair is best: elk, deer, or caribou? Any tips on how to best tie them?

thanks,
--Jason

[Grizz]

http://www.troutflies.com/tutorials/hopper/index.shtml

good stuff. I use an old school clear bic pen (w/ guts removed) to push & form the head. Works great, you can see the head & get good tight wraps just where ya need 'em. Don't be scared to use a good amount of hair, it's tough to get the first few wraps secure, but a good thick head is a good floating thing (on hoppers, turantulas & the like)

peace

[nightfish]

Caribou is too brittle, deer flares a little too much for my taste. Elk is probably best in most cases. You need to see Stef's bullethead demonstration...you'll learn tricks for speed, consistency & durability. Grizz's link is a good start though.

[cheech]

I like cow elk for them. I do them with my fingers and it works fine. Just make sure you at least using 6/0 thread, if not bigger.

[Marty]

I use elk and deer but I am very selective. You want to find hair that is thick and will collapse when tied down. The key to a good bullet head start with cleaning the hair. You have to pull out all of the under fur and short hairs before tying it down. Like cheech I just use my fingers. I do have some bullet head tools from hareline that work but they take extra time.

http://www.hareline.com/images/harelinejpegweb/GT13.jpg

[Tyson]

When I tie bullet heads they can get twisted around the shank very easily. Is this something you can prevent or is that just part of the territory?

[nightfish]

Twisted at the vise, or twisted while fishing?

[Tyson]

I mean while fishing. Seems like I'm constantly having to twist it back in place.

[nightfish]

I'd say it's due to not enough thread tension at the vise, and possibly not allowing the hair to spin fully before forming the bullet. A little bit of gel superglue will assist as well.

Maybe you should keep them away from water;)

[cheech]

When I tie bullet heads they can get twisted around the shank very easily. Is this something you can prevent or is that just part of the territory?


What kind of nymph could possibly have a bullett head?

Bullethead sow?

[cardiac]

I thought you were talking about FlySm......




;^)

[Lonnie]

What kind of nymph could possibly have a bullett head?

Bullethead sow?

LoL. I was thinking the same thing!

[Curtis Fry]

What kind of nymph could possibly have a bullett head?

Bullethead sow?

Uh...yeah. You're a little behind the times there Mr Fancy Pants dry fly guy.

Check this puppy out. I call it the Provo River Killer Special.

[Grizz]

Try the clear bic pen method, you will not be dissapointed.

peace

[Lonnie]

Uh...yeah. You're a little behind the times there Mr Fancy Pants dry fly guy.

Check this puppy out. I call it the Provo River Killer Special.

OK, Mr. Photoshop. That looks more like a roach than a sow....

L

[chris]

OK, Mr. Photoshop. That looks more like a roach than a sow....

L

What kinda roach? A "Cock" roach are a real roach!

Seriously, use Grizz' bic method, it works.

[stef]

I use straws. McDonalds straws make good size 2 and 4's. Arby's are better at 6 and 8's. The bending straws are good at 10's. Maybe a coffee stir straw for your nymphs?

[Tyson]

What kind of nymph could possibly have a bullett head?

Bullethead sow?
You guys are funny. :^)
But before I devoted my life to nymphing the LP I was quite the dry flyer.

[Lonnie]

What kinda roach? A "Cock" roach are a real roach!

Whaada you think?

L