I wanted a method of making it appear the fly was balanced on the end of a post, so I used small diameter copper tubing (used to make tube flies) and a dental floss threader. I simply cut the copper tubing to the desired length, drilled a hole thru the center of the mounting base. A drop of superglue holds the copper tube in place. I then threaded one of those blue plastic dental floss threaders thru the center of the copper tube and pulled down to form a small loop, which slipped over the point of the hook. I drew the loop tight and it holds the fly in place, without need for any adhesive which could damage the fly. I trimmed off the excess dental floss threader (bottom side) and add a small drop of superglue to hold things in place.
If you look closely, you can see the small blue loop holding the fly at the top of the copper tubing. There is enough tension to hold the fly securely in place, yet allow the fly to be tilted/moved to get it just where you want it. Having the fly elevated like this also ensures nothing will touch the barbs of the tail and hackle, to matt or disfigure the fly. The fly will remain just like it came off Mary's vise...Perfect...
Here is a photo I took of Mary, as she tyed March Brown Catskill dry flies. She was in the process of completing an order for some guy in Texas.
A photo of me standing next to Mary Dette (Photo taken by our late friend Mark Romero).
