Thanks for the tip. I welcome all the help I can get with small flies and tippits.
My tip is quit using head cement in any fly smaller than #18 and refuse to complete tying any fly which crowds the eye, even if the rest of the fly is beautiful.
That would be nice but I'm not holding out hope that the commercial flies will show up that way. When I'm tying them I'm with ya. If I get messy with the head cement I'll run a hackle feather through the eye or use a needle when it's dry.
I’ve recently been tying on hooks with oversized eyes ( EzEyeFly).
Doesn’t remedy the sloppy application of head cement , but definitely easier on my aging eyes.
The fly companies would make a killing if they had an "oldest" category...
I’ll start tying my blue wing olives in a size 8 and let you know how that works out.
Well, dang! That's so simple and so logical, I don't know why I never thought of something like that. Thanks for the tip, Tom.
I know, right! At first I didn't think it would make a big difference, but it sure helps. Almost magic...
Thanks for the tip. I welcome all the help I can get with small flies and tippits.
My tip is quit using head cement in any fly smaller than #18 and refuse to complete tying any fly which crowds the eye, even if the rest of the fly is beautiful.
That would be nice but I'm not holding out hope that the commercial flies will show up that way. When I'm tying them I'm with ya. If I get messy with the head cement I'll run a hackle feather through the eye or use a needle when it's dry.
I am in total agreement with you Tom. I have been known to tap into my Irish heritage at moments like that. I love the tip and the tip in the comments
A short needle stuck into a wooden match is useful in clearing a blocked eye. It lives in a tube with wax coated matches.
Good tip. My Fishpond nippers have a built in needle which helps.
I have one of those too!