Lure Tails
 

So I know how to tie buck tails and dressed hooks, but how do I do a flag with no hook? Am I using the shaft of a hook, then clipping of the hook? Just curious. Thanks.

I had a similar question months back, got the following responses:

Thru wire bent into a loop and pinched closed on your tail loop (Gary Soldati's response)

Thru wire bent into more than one loop, like a split ring, which allows you to switch flags on the water (ChefChris's response)

Screw eye (my response, I know... answering your own question is pretty weird)

The screw eye idea sucked (go figure) as the opening wasn't big enough for the tail loop. I really like the double bend suggestion, although I have yet to perfect the process without a bench vise. I was able to tie 4 different flags in my favorite patterns/styles and I switch them between plugs.

Gary's suggestion works well too, as evidenced by the fact that he puts them on all his plugs :)

My biggest problem with tying the flags is anchoring them in the vise to tie them. I use my bobbin in my right hand, and anchoring the wire is just awkward because it doesn't have a bend like a hook and is only an inch or so long... the hair and other material either has to be in my right hand or it bumps against my vise jaws... if you solve that problem let me know :)

Simple and cheap answer: thru wire. Its purely decorative, so you could use anything that won't rust out.

wow, thanks man. Guess I'll figure out what will work, and take it from there. I'll let you know.

Thru-wire formed lie a split ring. leaveit long enough to put in fly vise. Tie bucktail on it, coat w/ adhesive then cut the shank off when dry.

I like the double ring method made out of cut off thru wire.

That's skippys method, works really well and allows plenty of action.

I wrap some thread on the thru wire first and then tie on top of that.
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Take a piece of extra through wire. Form a loop but don't pinch it closed. Measure out about an inch from the loop you just made on one end. And bend that 90 degrees straight down.

At this point you should have if you are a right-handed tyer. A piece of through wire with a loop formed on one end facing right. With about an inch to work on. And a piece of wire that you can clamp in your vise.

After you add whatever you want to the tail and its is finished and head cement or epoxy is dry. You just cut off the piece of wire you bent so you could clamp it in your vise.
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ooooohhh, I like that one timber....gonna try that tonight!

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