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AKA: Multi hitches by hand.

A half hitch is simply and at the end of the day is a locked loop over the top of the tag end of a thread. Its the loop that locks the tag end in place.

Single half hitches can be tied at any time throughout the dressing of a fly just to hold the thread tightly in position. For example if you tie a tail in and can't keep the pressure on the thread whilst you move onto the next step a single half hitch will hold the pressure on the tail.

The technique for selecting and tying half hitches for a right handed fly tier is as follows. If you are left handed please remember to switch the instructions around. Learn to tie your half and double hitches by hand because this will allow you the flexibility of tying then half way up the shank of the hook or at the bend of the hook if necessary.

Tying a couple of double, triple or quad hitches over a thread head is equivalent to "whip finishing" a fly.

There is of course a tool for whip finishing but if your like me you will find it much easier and neater to finish a fly of with a couple of double, triple or quad hitches done by hand or with a pen rather than the tool. The less tools you have to use the better off you are. Also if you have to whip finish say behind a bead head you will find it much easier if you can do double hitches by hand.

Process

A	Hold the bobbin in your left hand and use your right hand to create a loop with the thread so that the thread at the bobbin laying over the thread coming off the fly.

B	Slide the top thread between the eye of the hook and the bottom thread. Now let go of the bobbin and hold the loop open with your left hand.

C	With your right hank take hold of the bottom thread and wrap it around the hook shank clockwise once to form a single hitch.

D	Wrap it around the hook shank clockwise twice to form a double hitch.

E	Whilst continuing to hold the loop or loops in place with your left hand pull slowly on the thread at the bobbin. The knot will slowly close and lock into place.

F	You can take a half hitch any time during the tying process just to lock materials into place

G	You can also finish off a fly head with a couple of half hitches and a spot of head cement. If you can't do hitches by hand you can use a tube such as a biro case or the open end of a bodkin to make single and double hitches. Single hitches using a biro Multiple hitches using a biro

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