Hello Guys,

I always have trouble making the tip top wraps on my flyrods look good. I use the flytying bobbin method and that has helped, but something about the proportions is wrong. Do most folks wrap up and onto the tip top itself, and if so how far up do you go? Is there a rule of thumb here? Thank you for all of your help.

Mike

Mike,
I don't wrap onto the tip top itself. My primary reason being, if I had to replace the tip I can do so without destroying the wrap and having to re-wrap it. I know someone who does wrap on to it. Says it makes the tip top stronger. I feel that a properly installed tip doesn't need any help.
As for the length of the wrap--I personally like to make it no longer, and maybe a little shorter, than the wrap on on the closest guide.

Sam

I also had similar problems. The fly tying bobbin does work after some practice. So you ask how I fixed this problem - I bought a lathe. Well, I bought the lathe for other things beside just wrapping tip-tops, but wrapping the tip to easier was like a bonus. That little tension spring that comes with the lathe combined with the proper tension will let you wrap the tip much easier. It also makes inlays a lot easier on the tip section where the blank is not supported on one side.

Billy