Tying Bucktails

[The Dad Fisherman]

I was attempting to tie some bucktails last night for the 1st time. Was wondering if you know of any tips or tricks to doing this or any websites that show how its done. Managed a couple but they aren't so pretty.

Picked up some blanks from salty, got them all painted and through wired and just need to dress up these hooks to finish them up.

by the way.....I see a new addiction on the horizon....

[steelhead]

Which? Plug making or fly tying? They're equal parts bad... I do both and they both can get you in trouble with your better half...

Tying bucktails... From my fly tying, I generally will hold the bunch of hair that I've cut by the tips of the hair in one hand and pull the short stuff out by the butt of the hair with my other hand. That way, I get a nice consistent length.

Sometimes, the problem is tying too much bucktail on the hook, so it looks bulky and out of proportion. Take the the long hair that you just separated and use only half of it. You can hold it so that it surrounds the shank of the hook such that when you wrap the tying thread around the hook shank, the bucktail will surround the entire hook evenly.

The hair at the end of ther tail is very fine and not hollow. This hair will give you a long thin tail. If you're looking for a broad flaired tail, use the hair from the butt end of the tail. This hair is hollow and will flair out away from the hook when you wrap your tying thread around it.

What I've found is that less is more. You get a much nicer swimming motion with less bucktail. The water gets inside the tail and opens it up so that it moves better with the current or whatever action you're imparting to the plug.

I live in Salem, so If you want to get together sometime, I can give you a quick demo. Next thing you know, you'll be tying your own teaser flies as well!!!!

[crashfromamesbury]

i have been tying for a long time.. and my flys can be down right ugly sometimes..

and it can get you in trouble with the mrs.. especially if she finds a complete rabbit skin on the back seat of her car..

i have not done many sw size bucktails.. but i used to tie a ton of shad darts and smaller fw stuff..

once you get going you;ll get a better feel for it..

you should hit the united fly tyers meetings in woburn.. they give a lesson each month at their meetings.. you just need basic materials..

later
crash

ps.. there are a lot of good fly shops in your area.. particulary rivers edge in beverly and first light in rowley..

both have a great supply of materials..

[spence]

I just wrap about 3/8" from the eye with thread, then wrap in a bit of bucktail with a few tight wraps, wrap in a bit of flash with a few wraps, then a bit more buck wrapped down hard. Then I finish the head till all the buck is covered and it has a nice shape.

Sometimes I put the buck on top and below the shank, other times it's all on top.

Tie it off and secure with thread cement. Once it's dry I hit them with a quick coat of epoxy.

Like the others said, less it more. If the tail is too long, or heavy trim it down with a pair of scissiors...

At least that's how I learned myself. I'm sure someone else can point out any tips.

-spence

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally posted by steelhead
Which? Plug making or fly tying? They're equal parts bad... I do both and they both can get you in trouble with your better half...

I live in Salem, so If you want to get together sometime, I can give you a quick demo. Next thing you know, you'll be tying your own teaser flies as well!!!!

The addiction would be Plug Building.....really enjoyed painting up them blanks and can see me really getting into it in the future.

I may take you up on that demo, I work in salem so it would definitely be doable

It could also be me being a perfectionist. I look at the bucktails that I see other people doing and although mine look like they aren't going to fall apart they definitely don't look as well tied as others. I'm leaning towards "practice makes perfect"

[adson]

one problem that some have is getting the bucktail to lie flat. wrapping the thread too tight will make the bucktail crimp and not sit flat against the shank.

hold the bucktail against the hook and take three loose wraps before you pull the thread.

I use hard as nails finger nail polish for cement. let it dry for 5 minutes and give it a second coat.

if the bucktail gets too far forward into the eye area, take a nail or other metal tool and heat it with a lighter and then touch the hairs to melt them back.

hey it's only bucktail, if you don't like the look of it rip it all off and try again. the first bluefish is gonna rearrange it for you anyway.

[Young Salt]

........what steelhead said he ties some great flys. i've got 3-4 of his flies that are front and center on my bench.

[steelhead]

Hey, You not fishin' them flies? I come take 'em back!!!

[stripermaineiac]

Tying anything can get to be fun and addictive. Don't worry about them all looking the same or if one looks a little out of shape. Ude the part of the bucktail from 2 inches up from the but to the tip. Wrap your hook about 12 times to give you a good base to keep the fur from slipping. Take about a 1/4 to 3/8 inch bundle of deer hair-don't just do them all white,experiment Chartruese is nice-hold this on the top of the hook shank1/8 to 1/4 inch from the eye and wrap it securely not tight about 6 to 8 wraps. While still holding the hair push it down and it will wrap itself around the shank of the hook. Slide your fingers back towards the hook point so they are away from the tread wrwaps but still hold the hair. Wrap a bunch more times working back and forthto the eye until you have a smooth head- this takes a little practice- then tie it off by whip finishing it or half hitches. Now the secret touch, Use DURO super glue as head cement. It is the only one out there that is waterproof. I use it on all the saltwater flies that I tie and I supply 6 tackle shops with flies. It will penitrate the hair all the way to the base layer of thread. you bucktails will be bulletproof. Even the blues will have a hard time tearing them apart. The Striper Maine-iac

[nightfighter]

TDF, I gotta know, you have a vise I hope. If not PM me, I think I have a second clamp on one somewhere to try before you buy one. I'm just picturing you with the bucktail and hook in one hand .....
Lemme know OK?