{{+1}}Eyes – dumbbell, real eyes, sink chain eyes and glass rattle eyes{{-1}}
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I am a firm believer that in some flies realistic eyes are a trigger that elicits a response from fish.
Whilst there are many ways of adding eyes to a fly one easy way to add a little more realism to a fly is to include a set of dumbbell type eyes in the dressing of the fly. These types of eyes may also be used to add weight, to push mare water and to increase the noise the fly makes as its retrieved.
Most recipes use the term "figure of eight wraps of thread" when describing how to tie in dumbbell type eyes and other eyes that have two eye balls connected by a stem. Technically consecutive single wraps of thread as described in steps "A" and above in "B" below are called figure of eight wraps. From experienced I have found that its better to use the process below rather than consecutive individual figure of eight wraps.
The process for tying in dumbbell type eyes, using multiple diagonal wraps of thread, for a right handed fly tier is set out below. If your left handed don't forget to swap the instructions around.
Dumbbell, real eyes, sink chain eyes and glass rattle eyes
These are all basically the same shape and are all tied in in a similar way. They consist of two eye balls connected by a stem. These eyes are tied onto the top of the hook shank, that has a foundation of thread, using either figure of eight wraps or diagonal wraps as I have described below to lock them into position. Whilst they are traditionally popular in salt water fly tying there is and increasing incidence of their use in both trout and bass.
Process to tie in dumbbell, real eyes, sink chain eyes and glass rattle eyes.
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Author: StephenChatterton