Head Cement.

[Ouzel]

Just to stay organized.
I stopped using head cement years ago by accident. It was late in the tying season (close to spring) and I had for one reason or the other not tied a single fly.
Since I try to practice what I preach "Batch Your Work" I started tying up flies in a fiendish manner. I was tying dozens of one type of fly in different sizes, throwing them in a baggie and going to the next fly and sizes. Later I could dump all the drys into Loon's Hydro Stop. Then head cement all the various flies at one time.
Good plan, poor execution. I started fishing them without performing the last step.
Nothing happened, the earth did not split open, I did not have my flies unravel and I still caught fish.
So, do you really need to use head cement (more chemicals) even if you think it does smell good (I worry about you).
I spin (untwist) my thread until it is flat, then whip three times back towards the thorax and then three times towards the eye.
I know I have had flies unravel the last three wraps but never all the wraps. I just can't remember how long ago that was.
I know professional tyers use cement all the time. They don't want to lose business or get a bad rep. on the chance their flies unravel.
And some say the shinier head is more like the reflective surface of a insects head.
I don't think once the cement cures it will still give off vapors that a fish can detect but then I don't have their capabilities so I can't speak for them.
I posted about using silver thread for streamers (heads); I think I'll try to find a thread with a glossy finish so I can still avoid head cement.
Like Jason mentioned it may come down to personal preference but my preference is to use as few chemicals as possible.
Sorry DuPont.

[Mr. T]

OK, I'm sure that a Double whip of 7 wraps will work on a 2-6 size Muddler, not on a 18-24 size Dry.....

I've seen many different theories on the times a Fly needs to have the Finish wrap pulled around, and so I'm curious to what people feel is an appropriate number of times to wrap the finish on a Fly?

[mcgx2]

I agree that head cement is not really necessary. As long as you finish your fly well with a whip finish or half hitches it will hold up very well. I still use cement once in a while, probably on about 50% of my ties. I think it is more out of tradition than a necessity.

I've had thread come undone on both cemented heads and uncemented but it was due more to a poorly finished fly than head cement.

mcg