FLYMPH FORUM

Before you throw out that next drinking straw, consider turning it into a material wrangler for fly tying.

Cut a section a couple inches long, then round (taper) the ends of the straw.


Cut the tapers, so the points meet at the same centerline.


Then cut the straw lengthwise to connect the opening.



The section of straw can then be slid over the fly to hold fibers out of the way when finishing the fly. The slit along the bottom allows the straw to open, accommodating the tying thread (no need to clip off and retie) and holding itself in place by gripping the bend of the hook.



In this photo the fly is taken out of the vice and displayed upside down, showing how the slit allows the tool to slide over the hook bend (and tying thread when the hook is in the vice).


Bunny Bugger (furry soft hackle streamer):


The drinking straw wrangler is a cheap (free?) alternative to other tying tools.

Did something similar with my soy milk carton seal when I saw that smhaen tool...

Nice! I will need to save that part, the next time I open a new coffee creamer.

Heck yes, Ray!! That is an awesome tip.

Thank you!

I've been using a shorter section of drinking straw for the same purpose for years. Don't remember who showed that to me. When I taught a wet fly class to the intermediate tying group last year I told them I was going to give everyone a hackle guard to keep for their very own. They were a bit disappointed when it turned out to be an inch long piece of drinking straw with a slit down one side.

Small hair clips work well for taming materials as well.

Ray, you never cease to amaze me!!!!!!

Footnote - I couldn’t help but notice that your FLymph Forum mug includes a teabag of the twinings variety. Do yourself a favor and get yourself some Barrys Gold – you’ll never go back!

Wow, what a great idea Ray! I'm gonna make one today. Make that 2, one for my home and one for my cabin.

Hi Dana,

About your advice on the tea: Is that Barry's Tea (Gold) in the red box or Barry's Tea (Irish Breakfast) in the green box you're recommending?

Thanks- Ken

FlyFisherMann1955 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2024 9:16 pm Hi Dana,

About your advice on the tea: Is that Barry's Tea (Gold) in the red box or Barry's Tea (Irish Breakfast) in the green box you're recommending?

Thanks- Ken

Red box - really great stuff!

Ray,
Does your mind ever quite working? You see a need and you create! Wait.....you're an engineer! (problem solver). The Drinking Straw Wrangler above is brilliantly simple and equally great in its ability to do what it's designed to do! We need to live within coffee cup distance of each other! I want some of this knowledge and experience to rub off!
In great admiration,
D.