Classic Streamer Heads

[Hellmtflies]

I am about to engage in tying a few classic streamer flies. I am curious as to what others use to complete the heads on the flies so that they look like a black glossy cone. Salmon flies also have these type of head finishes.

[gt05254]

Well, I use 14/0 thread and 3 to 4 coats of Cellire clear varnish. Others will certainly do it differently.


Gary

[16pmd]

I use 6/0 or 8/0 thread, but untwist it so it lies very flat to begin with. Then, like Gary, multiple coats of thinned cement like Cellire or other clear lacquer.

[Hellmtflies]

"OK" Thank you guys. I've been using Sally Hanson's "Hard as Nails" and it doesn't seem to work as well as the photos above. I always thought that I needed a black coat before the clear. Now Where can I get this "Cellire"?

[narcodog]

If I'm tying a very special fly then I use Bill Baileys Kelson formula. For others I have used Loon black head cement and on an occasion I'll use Silver Creeks thin formula UV.

[addicted to vise]

i generally use Cellire, two coats of thin to penetrate the head and then 1-2 coats of thick to gloss it up. make sure all coats are well dried before you do the next one

Somtimes on the salmon flies i'll use mulitple coats of shellac, but thats a whole other ball game for drying times.

[gt05254]

You have a pm, Hellmtflies, re: Cellire
Gary

[Hellmtflies]

You have a pm, Hellmtflies, re: Cellire
Gary

Got it! Thank you. PM returned.

[Norm Frechette]

solarez bonedry uv resin

[Loogie]

I would like to try that cellire on my clouser’s, where do you guys procure it?

[gt05254]

Stoneriveroutfitters.com carries it these days. I thought most people use epoxy of some sort on clousers?
Gary

[Loogie]

Gary, epoxy works well, but thought I would try this cellire stuff just to see.

[ted patlen]

Stoneriveroutfitters.com carries it these days. I thought most people use epoxy of some sort on clousers?
Gary

Most use the uv product now, which is much faster. But for a Clouser I personally just use a little varnish because the bucktail gets beat up and chipped away, and the eyes don't last too long. It makes it easier to clean the stainless steel hook and retie the fly. L
ousy backcasts will ruin the fly as well.

[bassman]

By no means a classic streamer but for my versions of streamers I like Silver Creek's UV products to finish them. It takes the thread lines out and leaves a hard, glossy finish.

[Marterius]

In this case there is no difference between a boat or a fly - it is the number of coats that makes the difference.

As I often tie with a darkish yellow or brown thread, I use 3 to 4 coats of Cellire clear varnish and a final coat of Cellire black varnish. Or rather, as many coats that it takes for me to be satisfied. I have tried some other brands, such as Fly-tite and Hard as Nails, but in my opinion Cellire penetrates best.

I often like to use a contrasting thread so I see what I am doing, so I avoid black thread when tying with dark or dull materials. Hence a final black coat, unless I prefer to have a brown head which is fine on many flies. On occasion, I change to a very fine black or red thread for the head and use clear varnish only. It depends a bit on how much effort I have put in the fly as whole, and it is mostly on salmon flies.

[Marterius]

I can add that if I want a red head, I do not use red Cellire as it in my opinion is a bit too "pinkish". Instead, I follow the lead of the the Swedish fly tier Lennart Bergvist and use Humbrol Enamel paint. I currently use the colour #19, "Bright red".

[Hellmtflies]

Thanx guys. I'll do my best and let you know how things turn out.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Some of the old Partridge hooks double back and create massive heads - from the hook wire.