We hope that these tips will help you to become a

better and more creative fly tyer at the vise.                         

If you have a tip or two to pass along please

e-mail us for submittle information.

Tips:

1.      E-Z BODY, MEGA BODY and MINNOW MAKER

         accept permanent markers allowing you to create an

         endless array of colors and color combinations.

2.      By cutting tubings at an angle bulk is kept to a minimum.

         We suggest using "utility" scissors for cutting.

3.      Dry Flies?  Yes!  E-Z BODY products can help you there too!

         We recommend using a paste type flotant.

4.      Want to achieve a scale like effect? Try applying a coat of soft

         cement like SOFTEX or an epoxy over the tubing, not only will

         you get the desired effect but your flies will wear like iron.

         We recommend using SOFTEX for flies that feel real.

5.      For the serious tier, our tubings accept permanent dyes as well.

         Dye the material with RIT dyes to the color of your choice.

6.      If a flattend effect is desired, squeeze the tubing flat with a pair

         of pliers. We recommend the pliers to be smooth or unnurled.

7.      Adding a colored lateral line to a fly is easily done with a fine point

         permanent marker. Gently touch the tip of the marker to the

         lateral line cording, the marker will "wick" it's way up the tubing.

         Keep "wicking" along the lateral line until desired effect is achieved.

8.      When opening a new package of E-Z BODY we recommend that you

         "break it in" by running it through your fingers and/ or flexing it.

         When E-Z BODY is manufactured it's weave is "locked into itself",

         "breaking it in" will get it ready for manipulation.

     
9.      Singeing the material with a lighter or corderizer will

         "seal" the end of the tubing, this helps to protect the

         ends from unravleling. Gently heat the end of the 

         tubing and lightly roll it between your fingers

          trying not to squish it.

10.    Pull Through technique:

         Take a piece of heavy monofilimant about  10 inches long and  

         form a loop with it. Melt the ends together with a lighter,

         this simple tool will make pulling materials through tubings

         much easier. (See tying instructions for the E-Z STREAMER)

11.    When securing tubing directly to the hook shank we recommend

         building up a thread base to prevent the tubing from spinning

         around the shank. 

         Cementing the thread wraps, helps to lock everything in place.

12.    Draw Down technique:

         When securing tubings to the hook shank, we recommend using this

         technique to prevent the tubing from folding or creasing on itself.

         Lightly make a few thread wraps around the tubing. Slowly but

         evenly tighten the thread tension by "bouncing" or "tugging" on

         your bobbin tighter and tighter until you are at full tension and ready

          to secure. This allows the strands of mylar and mono to neatly

         compact themselves preventing any folding or creasing of the tubing.

13.    Roll Back technique:

         This tip is quite possibly the most widely used tying technique.

         Variations of it are useful when creating Bullet Heads, Poppers,

         Reverse Heads, Spreaders, Sliders, Tail Shrouds ect.

         This technique is easily performed once the end of the tubing is                                           

         neatly secured into position using the "Draw Down" technique. 

         Then roll the tubing in reverse or over itself, think of it as

         turning a pair of socks inside out. 

         *Bullet Heads are achieved by turning the tubing completely

         inside out, you must however pre-measure the desired head

         size before doing so.

14.    When adding prismatic stick on eyes to tubings, try rolling the

         eye into a "Taco" shape before applying. This will help the

         prismatic stick on eye to achieve the rounded contour of the

         tubing, thus helping the eye to adhere better.

15.    You can add Diving Lips to your E-Z BODY flys! 

         All you need is a piece of mono (30-50lb), a lighter and

         a jar of SOFTEX. Take the piece of mono and form a loop

         slightly larger than the size needed to create an effective

         diving lip. Cut mono to size and use a lighter to melt a small

         ball on each end of the mono (this will keep the mono from

         popping out of the tubing when inserted). 

         Insert each end of the mono into the sides of the tubing,

         positioning it in the shape of a diving lip (keep in mind that

         angle and size control the running depth and action of the fly,

         we've found shorter lips to be more effective).

         Now using your bodkin, fill in the gap between the mono loop

         and the tubing with SOFTEX, try to use the thicker SOFTEX

         from the jar rim, this will bridge the gap nicely. Add a couple

         more coats of SOFTEX to strenghten the lip, letting dry

         in between coats.

16.    To increase to flexability or manipuation properties of

         E-Z BODY tubing's try removing the Lateral Line Cording.

         This is easily done once the tubing is cut to the intended size.

         Just use your finger nails to pinch the cording and pull it out.

17.    E-Z BODY tubing's are perfect for inserting rattles, foam,

         paste type scents, flash materials ect.  

18.    Create a hollow floating fly or popper using SOFTEX!

         E-Z BODY can be used to make a hollow popper by tying off

         the tubing at the rear of the hook and cupping the face of the

         fly using a partial rollback technique.

         After forming the body, color it with markers as desired.

         Using your bodkin, apply at least three coats of SOFTEX over

         the entire body creating a "Skin".

         This fly will float due to the air cavity and feather weight design.

         If the fly gets punchured by a toothy critter just clean off the

         surface with fresh water, dry, and reseal the hole with SOFTEX.

         Remember SOFTEX WILL ALWAYS REACTIVATE SOFTEX!.

19.    You can color or add materials to the out side of any E-Z BODY fly!

         It's as simple as coating the desired area with SOFTEX!

         You can add glitters, color pigments, sand, dubbing, mylar strips,

         feathers, flash materials, synthetic hairs, fur ect.

         Here's how it's done. Coat the intended area with SOFTEX,

         then just lay the material onto the surface. Using your bodkin,

         stroke the material into place. Once it has dried you can add a

         finish coat of SOFTEX to seal the deal!

         Glitters and color pigments can be added to the SOFTEX

         prior to applying it.  

20.    Try combining E-Z BODY with Sili Skin.

         These two products go well together when applying Sili Skin

         over E-Z BODY.

         Tyers are creating Sand Eels, Bait Fish, Squid, Scuds, Nymphs ect.

         Try experimenting, your guaranteed to have fun!

21.     The "Worming" technique:

             This is a simple technique for creating extended body flys with tubing.

          It is just like putting a hook through a rubber worm or night crawler.

          First place the hook next to the piece of tubing and determine where

          you want the hook point to exit. We recommend putting a dot with a

          permanent marker on the exit spot for the first couple of trys.

          Once you get used to this technique, omit this step.

          Next slide the hook point into the tubing and find the exit location.

          Now wiggle the hook point and allow the point to exit the tubing.

          *Note: This is all done out of the vise, after the hook is in place

          you may place the hook back in the vise and continue tying the fly.