[failtospey]

So, I brought some materials to work since they literally have nothing for me to do, yes staring at a computer screen. Decided to hell with them, Im tying, but I couldn't really have a vise just chilling in the cube farm.
So...
Plucked a topping, wet it dried it on a coffee cup to straighten it a bit, made up some gut sub, mixed some dub and got to work in in the hand. Now its been a few months since Ive given it a go and remembered why I loved it before, ITS HARD! A Dee of sorts I guess, I mismanaged my materials at the front and ended up with a nasty head, so i left the JC out to make sure it didn't "bulb" out and look even worse. Here is the results.
decent profile, but I think I'm 1 barb heavy on the far side strip, ill fix that later. Now in NO WAY is this near Jin`s or the Dingles level, but I think everyone should give it a damn good shot, just DO IT.

 

[kova1385]

ive been tying in hand for almost a year now, influenced by other tyers and the fact that every old book ive read claims it should be done in hand. This summer I had the same type of job: nothing to do so I brought my materials in a bag with my lunch, but no vice, so I kept doing it. Now, my flies turn out just as good or better in hand, and it allows alot more freedom in tying and you can observe the fly from all angles without leaving that comfortable laid back position in your chair. In my opinion you end up with a more robust fly if its done in hand. It teaches you way more about thread control too. I urge everyone to try tying in hand!

I do not tie exclusively in hand like some.. I try not to do anything exclusively.. but I try to tie then in the way it was tied when it was designed. I use a vice for small stuff and modern ties and in hand for old salmon patterns in largish sizes


Great job on your fly and keep at it!

Andrew

 

[failtospey]

Thanks Andrew,

when I was first trying, I tying low BM winged speys, and the one thing I definitely noticed was My wing sets were WAY better when I had the hook in my hand, its almost like it fit in there and kept the wing in perfect position to stay there when I took tension. This was the first GP crest I mounted in hand, and same thing, it stayed WAY better in my hand than if I tried in a vise, ended up bending the hell out of it while death gripping a few times but a little swim and shell be all better! :smokin:

thanks!

Matt

 

[coma]

ignorant rookie bad tier here...

can you experienced hand tiers tell me, is there any advantages of hand tying? I have been tying for very little and I am pityful at it , have gotten better than I was so that is encouraging, I cant imafine tyin with one hand while holding the hook on the other!!!


GreAT LOOKING FLY BY THE WAY...

 

[failtospey]

IMHO the one benefit to tying in your hand is the care you take I each wrap, being able to move the hook any way you see fit, and I've noticed that it is a bit more balanced of a fly on both sides of the hook. I fall victim to doing great on the near aide alot, common I'm sure, when its in your hand it just comes a bit more natural to balance both sides for me anyway....