----- Original Message -----
If you are tying presentation flies, your object
is going to be to secure the gut with a smooth transition into the rest of the
body of the fly. Whether you tie the gut on the side or below the blind
will dictate some of the tactics you employ to do this.
Here are some tips for the side. First,
cut about a 1/2" of twisted gut and soften/moisten it for a minute
or so (mouth). Yes, the guts of a dead caterpillar are
flavor-free. With the softened gut and a bodkin or other suitable round
tool, bend the gut around the tool to form a loop the diameter you desire,
using your fingernails, nick the gut on either side of this loop to help it
retain the shape.
Next, untwist the ends of the gut to near the
nicks and flatten them, taking care not to untwist too much. Again,
teeth seem to be well suited to the task, so now we are not only sucking on
caterpillar glands, but chewing them as well. When untwisted and
flattened, trim the ends to uneven lengths. This will leave a more
gradual taper to the wraps which will hold the gut to the iron.
I wrap a thread base to the tip minus a few
turns (the head of the fly will finish these later), then in one step wrap
over the gut loop with edge to edge wraps of thread, so not to build any bulk,
over the entire flattened loop assembly.
I do not use blind eyes as fishing flies, but if
you do you will want to bind a gut substitute, probably Dacron, the length of
the hook shank for strength. Also, if you choose to tie the gut under
the hook on a presentation fly, you will have to work out a suitable
transition between the butts of the gut and the rest of the body, or it will
make an unsightly lump. Can't speak too much here, as I don't use this
loop as much.
Tim Trexler may have more to add if we can track him down. I know
blind eyes probably caught his eye : )
Cheers,
