A Muddler and some help needed please.

[sweenytodd]

OK thought I best try some muddlers . I did 2 a few weeks ago and this is the 3rd one I have done .


Sorry about pic , batteries have gone so can't do better at the mo .

Now the issue I have is when I try to get an even spin on the hair I am having trouble getting it to go all the way around . It does go but it is not 100% even on the other side . I want an even and full spin on it in order to be able to leave the tips as a nice collar . When adding the tension to spin it as it gets almost all the way I feel the thread it very close to breaking point as it all tightens and locks up .
Any tips and advice on threads you use and how much hair , do you try and do it all in one ?? etc .....
I only have uni 8/0 threads and feel it is not right , maybe it is , maybe it is just me
Also head size ??? I see some with small and some with large ?? Why What is the right way please , if there is one ........

Cheers all

[greenock]

Try not doing it as hard mate. I don't pull my thread to hard when i'm starting to spin the hair. One turn to hold it and second to spin the hair.

[Wee Jimmy]

Few things to try Danny, 6/0 thread, spin the deer hair onto bare hookshank,at least untill you get used to the feel of spinning the hair, make sure that you remove all the under fur,as this contributes to the hair binding up.

I think that muddler looks just fine proprtion wise....certainly no hint of you having any difficulties in tying it mate.....

[steveparton]

Three tips

i) The thread isn't thick enough - you need around a 150 dtex ie 5/0 - 6/0 ish
( folks keep on using silk scales to define the far stronger high tenacity polyester
threads which does confuse new starters a fair bit )

ii) Take the thread one and a half turns round before you tighten down to flare

iii) Experiment with different sized bunches to see exactly what you can cope with - and do this on a bare hook ( pretend you are making Dick Walker's Pelletus Vulgaris and sometime go catch carp with floating dog biscuit groundbaits with your practise flies ) when you've done half a dozen you should make a better job on a proper fly !

And that effort of yours is well ok for a beginner - a bit more practise is all that's needed .

Keep tieing

Steve Parton

[sweenytodd]

Cheers lads

Plenty for me to go on there . Will get to it and see what happens ...........................

[Former member]

Danny
Are you using the pinch & loop method before spinning? also when pulling the thread tight to get it to spin make sure you pull it directly down the way inline with the fly and not towards your body as this will cause it to slip and could cause the problem you are having. Also with regards to thread I use uni 8/0 for all my flies, I find 6/0 far to big to create a decent head.
Cheers
Gerry

[sweenytodd]

Originally Posted by Ruthvenflyfisher

Danny
Are you using the pinch & loop method before spinning? also when pulling the thread tight to get it to spin make sure you pull it directly down the way inline with the fly and not towards your body as this will cause it to slip and could cause the problem you are having. Also with regards to thread I use uni 8/0 for all my flies, I find 6/0 far to big to create a decent head.
Cheers
Gerry

Yes was like pinch and loop but not tight and then letting go of the hair and pulling to spin it if you see what I mean Reading your post and the others Gerry it doesn't sound like I am far wrong ( I hope ) It seems it is just ones of those things that "should" just click and fall into place after I have done a few .
The one I posted was only my third go at a muddler so am not to worried it aint right yet . Will knock a few more out and see what the story is then .

Cheers

[weight_forward]

Doesn't look like your doing much wrong to me .

I sometimes get the problem where the hair doesn't spin all the way around, I think its when the bunch is a bit small. I use 6/0 or UTC140 thread. If I forget to change and use 8/0 I just end up with snapped thread and deer hair all over, maybe when I've done as many as Gerry then I'll be OK with 8/0, only another 10,000 to go and I might catch up with him .

All the best - Steve

[sweenytodd]

Ok had another go . Please excuse the iffy tying of the rest of the fly as I was in a rush to get to the head ..

I don't know how to trim the head , what size ??? what angle ???etc I have never fished Muddlers never mind tying the ****ing things !! .... Going to take a few to get this method right I think



and the other side .....



............ off to try again and again and again ...................

---------- Post added at 11:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:01 PM ----------

Originally Posted by weight_forward

Doesn't look like your doing much wrong to me .

Cheers Steve am trying

[savage take]

looks good enough to me danny.