6 steps
Whip Finish
The fly-tying whip finish. A loop of thread is wrapped 5 times up the hook shank, then the tag is pulled through to lock the head.
Use it for
The fly-tying whip finish. A loop of thread is wrapped 5 times up the hook shank, then the tag is pulled through to lock the head.
This line
Thread, not fishing braid. The same hand motion locks a fly head.
Avoid when
A whip that stops short of the eye, which unravels when you fish the fly.
All steps visible
Whip Finish
Step 1
Lay the thread along the shank.
Step 2
Form the whip loop.
Step 3
Take 3 wraps of that loop up the shank.
Step 4
Finish 5 wraps along the shank.
Step 5
Pull the tag so the loop closes under the wraps.
Step 6
Trim the tag. The head sits at the eye.
The drawing follows this tying order. Pause, step, or scrub to stay with the words. The standing line runs to the reel. The tag is the short end you trim. Skin-hook means the point lies flat in the plastic, not out where grass can grab it.
Common mistakes
- Pulling the tag before the wraps have trapped the loop.
- Wraps that spiral down the bend instead of stacking at the eye.