tying calf wings

[flies_only]

I have always struggled with tying calf wings - I can do parachutes great because there is less hair, but when i do wings like on a royal wulff it always makes my body too bulky, what is the best technique to correct this and make my Royalty look a bit prettier?
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[HFT]

I generally cut the hair close to were I tie it down then wrap it close to the hook. Tying with a smaller thread like 14/0 can also help to keep the bulk down.
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[TubeDud]

Are you tying with calf body hair, or calf tail? I prefer body hair because it's easier to stack. Tail is less bulky. One thing with a wulff is to tie in the wing first. When you trim the butts, trim them at an angle. When you tie in the tail of the fly, make sure it wraps right up to where the wing is. If you do this right, there should be an even uniform body. Easier said than done. I usually sub the hair for poly (cripple style) or I use turkey flats. If you use turkey flats well it will look just like calf body hair.

Cheech
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[flies_only]

smallest thread I have is 8/0 but I tried cutting more of the hair off on the tie and it worked much better. just tied 2 stellar #16 Royal Wulffs

THANKS!!
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[flies_only]

I like to use calf body hair because it isnt as curvy and it makes great wings and chutes. I am very picky too, I do not like my wings cut they look tacky, but thanks for the input, I will put it to use some more and hopefully get some #20 royal wulff's out for the dry fly box. #16s are looking really good though!!
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[HFT]

There are a lot of threads for tying that are smaller than 8/0 and it is amazing how much easier it is to tie smaller flys with these threads. Griffeth makes a 14/0 that I like to tie with and I think it is actually stronger than 8/0 Uni thread. Guide-brod makes a 10/0 that is strong and is awsome for the little guys. Try it you'll like it!!!
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]I am with you James. I use nothing but Griffith 14. Great stuff (unless the thread comes off in both directions, which has happened a couple of times[crazy])[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]I also agree with Cheech, that CALF BODY is soooo much easier to work with than tail.[][/size][/black]
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[flies_only]

thanks, I will have to try that 14/0
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[HFT]

I have had several spool problems with the 14/0 if it didn't work so well I would have thrown it all away. no problem on the 10/0 though.
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[TubeDud]

When working with thread, it's important to consider the denier size of the thread. Each company has their own #/0 system. The 14/0 is about the same size as Uni 8/0. Gudebrod 10/0 is much smaller than the griffith's 14/0. If you want a truly microscopic thread use Uni 17/0. It is the best small thread I have used. It's about half the size of the 10/0, and just as strong. There is a chart out there somewhere that has all of this info.

Check this out.

http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/ssthread/
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[flies_only]

thanks for the info - I have always used 8/0 uni for all of my small flies 14 down and it has worked pretty well. I just tied a steller #18 royal wulff using the cut down technique and it rocked!!! thanks for the input. if 8/0 is the same as 14/0 then I might look into the 17/0. rock on and thanks for the tying advice!
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[HFT]

14/0 is not the same, it is much smaller. Never tried 17/0, be afraid I would break it to easy.
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[TubeDud]

I have tied with them all. I have gone through about 20 spools of the 14/0 and there is very little difference to the uni 8/0. The 10/0 is much smaller, and the 14/0 is much stronger than you think. You have to have a ceramic tip bobbin though.
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[flies_only]

talked to the boys down at WR Flyfisher, there is some stellar thin thread out there, but I settled for the less expensive 14/0 and it ties very nice, much smaller than the 8/0 thanks to you folks and WRF's great assistance. I am anxious for this great spring fishing throughout our great waters here!!! Let's just postpone the runoff as much as possible
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[TubeDud]

http://www.snakerivercutthroats.com/newsletter1200.htm

Benecchi 12/0 uni 8/0 griffs 14/0 are all the same size. 72 denier.

I have tied 175 dozen flies in the last 5 months. Believe me, I know[]
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[flies_only]

thanks for the article, it was very informative, and likewise I have been on a tying frenzy as well. just trying to pick up some new patterns and tips and tricks
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