whip finisher

[cpg]

I just started tying and I'm having a hard time whip-finishing my flies especially the really small flies. Are those whip-finishing tools worth it or should I just keep practicing.

[Ouzel]

Try practicing with your hand a little more.
!.) Using your hand will allow you to whip smaller flies better as your hand is closer to the fly.
2.) You will not slow yourself down by first "learning" how to use the tool and then forever have the extra steps of picking it up and putting it down.
I have a Martelli whip tool in my fly tying box somewhere? I learned to use it and it does what it is design to do. But it is not as quick or true as my hand.

[mcgx2]

I first learned to whip finish by hand, which I recommend everyone learn. Then I bought a materelli whip finisher that I use most of the time now. I do still whip finish by hand on some flies, but have actually gotten faster with the whip finisher.

mcg

[Jason]

If you can get into a fly shop, go in and ask someone to demonstrate the whip finisher tool for you. They'd be glad to help you out. Once you see and do it in person, you'll never forget. The marteneli (sp) whip finisher is what I use and it's great. I also use the other type of whip finisher, I think it's referred to as the Thompson finisher, but only for certain situations and flies. I never really got into whip finishing my flies by hand, but I do it on occasion on certain flies. It's does take a little practice at first, but once you get it you can really do it well. I like the tools better because I can have a little more thread control when I'm finishing the head of my flies. It all comes down to personal preference.

[shazerblaze]

The Matarelli finisher seems to work the best over all, for me. Who said to half-hitch the small flies? Fshfanatic? Yeah, that is a good thing, too. For me, it depends more on the type of fly. Some flies are easier to whip, and some just require half-hitches (all depending on what you tie in at the head. The I also have a Thompson, which I use here and there. I have yet to learn how to whip by hand. I think I'll learn that this year, since it seems to be such a valuable tool.

[Cam]

I can't seem to make my hand do that. I can however make the whip finisher go like lightening. I personally wanted to learn the by hand method, but settled with the tool. Once you get the hang of it its easy.
Ouzels flies probably look better though.
-Cam

[Curtis Fry]

I can do it both ways, but I prefer the whip finisher for some reason. I can tie all sizes of flies using my finisher. Either way, you'll need to practice a bit. Like it was mentioned, just pop into your local fly shop and they'd be happy to show you how to do it. The hand method might be quicker seeing as how you don't have to stop and pick up a tool. I just like gadgets.

Fishon!!

Curtis Fry

[ScottT]

Started tying as a young kid. Learned out of books (thank you Jack Dennis & Art Flick) and being a lefty pretty much screwed up my attempts of duplicating the W.F. "moves" illustrated in the books! Been using a H.H. tool for 30 years, mostly out of laziness, and have never had a fly unravel. Love fishing more than tying - so speed of a pattern is a definite asset to me. Long-time tyers have their own set of patterns we've perfected and the H.H. tool does a perfect job on mine.
I've been told that you guys who use whipping can get away w/ not using head cement - c'mon really???

[Mr. T]

WOW, I have seen some really great Tier's use their fingers, but no way could I do it, my fingers would not cooperate. 8^)

The Whip Finisher is the O N L Y way that I could tie flies, and the comments about Cement, I hadn't even thought about that?

Do you have to use Cement on the Flies you finish by hand?

The only time I use Cement is if I screw up and the Head ends up to close to the eye, and I don't want the head to unravel through too much use........

I was told that the Fish can sense the difference between Cemented Flies/Non-Cemented Flies, so I try to stay away from Cement...... Is this a Myth?

[Curtis Fry]

I VERY rarely use head cement and VERY rarely do I have flies come undone at the head. Whip finish just does a great job. Besides, the cement adds a couple steps to the tying process that I'd just as soon leave out.

About the only reason I'll use cement (other than the lovely smell and accompanying good feelings it brings) is to give the head a nice glossy built-up look.

Curtis Fry

[Wes Johnson]

After more than 20 years of flytying I still have trouble using a whip finisher. Instead I use half-hitch tools. These usually come in a set of three with a different size hole on the end of each.

One circle of thread is a half-hitch.
Two circles of thread is a full hitch.
Three circles of thread is a whip finish.

I have seen these in Kauffmans catalog for $3.50 a set of three.

Dean Childs, Wasatch Custom Angling Products, produces an custom made whip finisher. You can find his tools in most fly shops along the Wasatch Front, in Cabelas, Kauffmans, and other stores.

I always use a dab of head cement. Remember the old saying: "A little dab will do ya." Keep the bottle closed and do not sniff the fumes, this may cause adverse conditions. Now we know why fshfanatic posts some real wierd stuff on occassion.

[Jeff Brooks]

CPG

I have a brand-new (actually 2 years old but never used) Marterilli (SP?) whip finisher that you can have if you want it... I finish with my hands which is much faster and I think much stronger.

Jeff

[Larry S.]

Take him up on it.

I am not going into the merits of which way is best but if you go to any of the tying conclaves(of which one of the best is April in Idaho Falls) and see how many of the tiers use them as to how many hand whip I think you may go with the tool.

[cpg]

Jeff

I appreciate your offer but I had already bought one from Sportsman's. Oh well I guess I'll eat PB & J for the rest of the month

[Larry S.]

...and found this site some of you might be interested in that has video of how to hand whip finish.

http://kwsu.publictelevision.org/stations/kwsu/episodes.asp?eid=13&pid=2

That and more.

[McFly]

I use the whip finisher most of the time, but the halfhitch tools work well too, especially when you're trying to slip your knot in underneath a parachute hackle. Something else you may want to try is pulling back the hackle feathers near the eye of the hook when you go to tie off your fly, this will allow you more room to use your whip finisher. you can go back and straighten the hackle out once your knot is tight. I glue all my dry flies, it helps alot with the durability.

[Trout4x]

If you have a problem with hang nails use the tool.

I prefer the tool, the ones that are in it for speed say it is one less tool to pick up off the table or look for under your mess on your table.

It comes down to what works for you!


Trout4x

[RAW]

I have a hard time with the Thompson Whip. The Materelli is easier to use in my opinion. I hand whip because I'm self taught through some old tying books before whippers were around. (I'm not that old, just the books that I learned out of).

[Trout4x]

Define "that old" Just curious so I know.

Trout4x

[flyfshr8]

Larry S.-
That solved the issue. Very cool link!!

[RAW]

Trout4x,

Well...one book was written in 1941. I'm not sure if whip tools were available then. The book shows how to hand whip. If your asking about my age: Mentally, I'm still 18. Physically, I'm 44. I know, old to some of you young whipfinishers, but just think of all the trout I have caught in those years!

[Larry S.]

More important....... Think of all the fish yet to catch!


p.s. Did you get my e-mail from Sunday?

[Strike]

Guys how many times to you whip finish a fly? If it's a nymph, I'll go around 5 or 6 times, then do the same thing again. (double whip) It doesn't matter how much thread is on a nymph, it's supposed to sink. If it's a dry I will only wrap it 2 or 3 times, and only one whip, because I don't want the thread to absorb water sinking my dry even more.

What do you guys do? How many whips, and how many wraps for each whip?

[RAW]

Strike,

I read somewhere that the perfect, magic number for all knots in fishing, for strength and durability is 5. Five wraps on a cinch or clinch knot, five whips on a finished fly. Don't know if its absolute truth, just remember reading it somewhere.

[flyfshr8]

I've been doing 2X three wraps, just out of habit I think. Three wraps, snug it, then three more wraps, snug it-finished. Couldn't even tell you why, it's probably too much. It's a way to get 8/0 thread nice and tight without it breaking as the knot is snugged up.

[Strike]

On my dries, since I only go make 3 wraps or so, I almost always put head cement on. Will this have any ill effects on the fly?


Thanks RAW. I have heard something about the five number too. But I wasn't sure where. As for you guys who whip without the tool, Hats off to you! I don't think my fingers would ever cooperate with me to to that. I am impressed!