The Whip Finisher

A whip finisher is a tool employed by lots of tiers to finish a fly with a smooth knot. A whip finish is applied in order to keep the materials from unwinding after the thread is cut. There are three types of whip finishers available on the market today, the Simple, the Thompson and the Martelli. They all create a nice finish on a fly, but accomplish it in different ways. You can also use a hand whip to finish a fly. Many people consider the whip finish to be one of the most difficult aspects of tying flies in the beginning. It's actually not, and it's as simple as making a figure 4 with the line, winding and feeding thread into the knot.

1. With the thread drawn back towards you hang the hook end of the whip finisher over the line.

2. Lift the line over the loop in the whip finisher and back to the right.

3. Wind the line around to the front and with your thumb create this upside down figure "4".

4. While keeping tension on the thread lift the whip finisher over and back of the hook. Keep tension on the thread and rotate the whip finisher around the hook. Make three or four wraps.

5. Lower the whip finisher handle and slide the thread off of the loop.

6. Pull the thread tight and bring the whip finisher hook down to the hook shank.

7. Slide the whip finisher hook out from under the thread and snug up the knot. I usually put 2 or 3 whip finishes on a given fly, you know, just in case. Finish the knot with head cement and it's done.