It happens to everyone, and usually at some critical point. Simply grab the tag end of the broken silk as quick as you can with one hand, letting the bobbin fall. With your other hand, reach for your superglue. You will soon master opening that with one hand. (try not to glue the tube to your lips!) Dab a tiny, barely visible amount of glue onto the thread, and wrap it once or twice.
It will stick very well. Now you can reach for the bobbin and re-start where you broke off.
(Note, some tiers dispense with the whip finish, and tie their flies off this way)
4 Responses
Andrew, You can hold the loose end of the broken thread with your hackle pliers so you have both hands free to work and finish off the fly
OK Robin…so do tell…how DID you get the superglue tube off your lips before you discovered the hackle pliers technique? 🙂 Thanks for adding this…… and if your hackle pliers don’t grip finely enough to hold the thread: put some heat shrink on the jaws.
This guy knows how to handle thread that breaks… [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78KyOslhaz4&w=560&h=315%5D
I just swear a lot and hit things. It doesn’t work. But I feel better.