Making Wiggle-Tail Extensions

Moderators: William Anderson, letumgo

Post Reply
User avatar
letumgo
Site Admin
Posts: 13345
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:55 pm
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact:

Making Wiggle-Tail Extensions

Post by letumgo » Tue May 01, 2012 8:29 pm

Because William asked...

I just can't bring myself to chop up a perfectly good hook, to form wiggle tail extensions. I came up with a simple method of making wiggle-tail extensions out of craft wire. All you need is a standard paper clip, pair of wire cutters, some craft wire (26 gage works nicely) and a rotary vice.

Image
Image
Take a standard paper clip and straighten it out, leaving only the small hook intact. This will become the tool for holding the wire as it is being twisted. The wire of the paper clip is a nice diameter for forming the circular loop at the end of the wiggle tail.
Image
Cut the craft wire into sections roughly two inches (~50 mm) long.
Image
Fold the section of craft wire in half, and then clamp the ends of the wire into a rotary vice. Insert the U-bend of the paper clip tool into the loop of the craft wire.
Image
Rotate the head of the vice, while holding the paper clip tool stationary. Keep twisting until the twists in the craft wire form roughly a 45° angle with the centerline of the wiggle tail. You will begin to feel some resistance when the wraps are are tight enough. Over twisting will cause the eye of the wiggle tail to begin bending to the side.

(you could tye the rear half of the fly at this point if you wanted to)

Repeat process to form additional wiggle tails for tying.

Image
Here is a fly created with the wiggle tail extension.

I use a small loop of black beading cord to join the wiggle tail extension to the hook. You can buy the stuff in the jewlery section of your local JoAnne Fabrics/Walmart/Michael's/etc. The stuff comes on little spools that look like this.
Image
This stuff is very flexible and yet very strong. I think the breaking strength is in the 20 to 30 lb range.

Here are a couple photos showing the intermediate step.
Image
Image

NOTE - Small cotterpins make nice wiggle tail extensions too.
Ray (letumgo)----<°))))))><
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php? ... er=letumgo

"The world is perfect. Appreciate the details." - Dean
User avatar
William Anderson
Site Admin
Posts: 4569
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Ashburn, VA 20148
Contact:

Re: Making Wiggle-Tail Extensions

Post by William Anderson » Tue May 01, 2012 9:11 pm

Ray, thanks. This is fantastic. I can see where this would be quick and simple and the pattern is really beautiful. I'll likely tie some other drake patterns using this. I need to fish these so I can justify tying a pile of them. Great tutorial.
"A man should not try to eliminate his complexes, but rather come into accord with them. They are ultimately what directs his conduct in the world." Sigmund Freud.
www.WilliamsFavorite.com
User avatar
hankaye
Posts: 6582
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 4:59 pm
Location: Arrey, N.M. aka 32°52'37.63"N, 107°18'54.18"W

Re: Making Wiggle-Tail Extensions

Post by hankaye » Tue May 01, 2012 11:02 pm

Ray, Howdy;

What kind of rope are you using to secure the 'wiggle' bit to the main hook ?

Had to ask... :) 8-)

hank
Striving for a less complicated life since 1949...
"Every day I beat my own previous record for number
of consecutive days I've stayed alive." George Carlin
User avatar
kacbo
Posts: 153
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:26 pm
Location: Beograd, Srbija
Contact:

Re: Making Wiggle-Tail Extensions

Post by kacbo » Wed May 02, 2012 4:29 am

This is great!

Thanks, Ray!
User avatar
letumgo
Site Admin
Posts: 13345
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:55 pm
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact:

Re: Making Wiggle-Tail Extensions

Post by letumgo » Fri Mar 11, 2022 7:01 am

Bump
Ray (letumgo)----<°))))))><
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php? ... er=letumgo

"The world is perfect. Appreciate the details." - Dean
Post Reply