Thread comes unwound

[tippet7]

I am pretty much a novice at tying and the biggest thing that goes wrong for me is the thread comes unwound. After I complete my fly, I whip finish the fly then notice the thread is coming loose. It doesnt happen on all of them though.

Am I not putting enough pressure to the finish? Should I put a drop of glue on every knot?

I tyed up a bunch of jigs a couple of weeks ago and noticed that 75% of them came undone either at my table or after a couple of casts.

any advice?

Thanks

[Wayne SW/MO]

You don't say what size thread you're using, or how many wraps you're using in your whip. I generaly whip 4 or 5 wraps on a jig. How tight you wrap makes a difference. I don't think you get the tightness on the large diameter of a jig. I always glue a jig, and I use "Hard as Nails", which works pretty well on them. On flys it depends on how tight your wrap is. If you've wraped the fly tight and whip 3-4 times, they should hold, but I glue everything and the fish will still shred them.

[Phil Lilley]

Definately add some kind of glue to the head... some use super glue. You might add cement to the thread just before you whip it.

[Leonard]

When I whip finish my flies..

I try to put 2 whip knots on them... you never know..

This works for me.. it may sound to be a little to much for some.. but I like the way it holds.. and if one does come undone.. there is a second one there that holds it...

my whip finish is.. 5 wrap/then knot.. 3 wraps and knot again... if I may add.. the knot dont seem to be that big were it is noticeable...

[tippet7]

I usually use 6/0 danville thread. And I usually use whip about 5 times. I just didnt think I should use glue on every fly. I will try the hard as nails

thanks

[jOrOb]

I used to have a problem with that too. I found that my start wasn't holding and the thread was coming loose from the start point underneath. Try starting forward and work back as far as possible before cutting out your tag. Also, don't be afraid to pull your wraps tight. If it breaks, then you will know what too much pressure feels like and you can go on.

I also agree with Leonard on the two whips of 4-5. Especially on jigs, the extra thread will not be a factor.

I like Sally Hansons since it is readily available and seems to penetrate pretty well. Head cement will probably hold better, and Super Glue is definitely the strongest but will turn white if you get it wet before it is completely dry. I know you are asking "why would I get it wet before it dries?" You probably wouldn't but just in case you do, it will turn white.

Keep tying and having fun with it. Don't be afraid to ask if you have other questions.

jOrOb

[Jeremy Hunt]

I also agree with how tight your wraps are when you do complete the fly. That really makes all the difference. In tying it is all about thread control and how you tie in the material. I also tie two whips because why tie a fly and have it fall apart. I think we all go thru that one. One other thing that I have found that will help your fly last longer is some head finisher called gloss coat. Everybody that has ben able to use this glue never go back to head cement. Some fly shops do not carry it but you can order it thru your local fly shop. It's a Wapsi product. We also have it at Lilley's in stock. Let me tell you why I like it, Most head cements are made to bond into the thread and what happens with that is the water will always win by getting that glue to dissolve in the water. I have found gloss coat to leave a coating around the thread kind of like epoxy. It will take the water alot longer to eat that away beacuse of the way it dries it does not cinch into the thread. And if your a commercial tyer it really makes a great "GLOSS" coat and a nice shine to the fly. I hope you find this to be helpful in your tying because it sure did in mine. See you on the river. JH