Great Video! I tie my squirmies very close to the same way. Good tip on not using head cement! As you said, we all found that out the hard way. However, I have been using Loon Soft Head and it doesn't seem to deteriorate the squirmy material or create any sharp edges that would cut the squirmy like normal head cement or UV resin would do. I have also been using a jig hook but instead of a slotted bead I have been throwing on a normal bead and putting it on backwards as well. Similar to tying the gills in on a chironomid pattern. The only other difference is that I tie the tail and body portions of the squirmy material in separately instead of keeping it as one continuous piece, which you obviously referred to in the video. My thought is that the tension of the material being pulled in two different directions (towards the tail and then towards the wraps up the body) causes the material to stretch and break more than when it's only pulled in one direction. It's possible that my assumption with this is incorrect, but it does seem to have increased the durability of my squirmies. With all of that being said, I definitely enjoyed your video and will be subscribing for sure!
You know how tender the worm is and how ez to cut with thread? That can be defeated. Get very, very small heat shrink tube. Cut a 1/4" or shorter piece. Slip worm thru. Carefully hit with lighter tip (dont fry the worm) or tap with fine point soldering iron. Tube shrinks tight. You can tie tubing tight without cutting worm.
Great Video! I tie my squirmies very close to the same way. Good tip on not using head cement! As you said, we all found that out the hard way. However, I have been using Loon Soft Head and it doesn't seem to deteriorate the squirmy material or create any sharp edges that would cut the squirmy like normal head cement or UV resin would do. I have also been using a jig hook but instead of a slotted bead I have been throwing on a normal bead and putting it on backwards as well. Similar to tying the gills in on a chironomid pattern. The only other difference is that I tie the tail and body portions of the squirmy material in separately instead of keeping it as one continuous piece, which you obviously referred to in the video. My thought is that the tension of the material being pulled in two different directions (towards the tail and then towards the wraps up the body) causes the material to stretch and break more than when it's only pulled in one direction. It's possible that my assumption with this is incorrect, but it does seem to have increased the durability of my squirmies. With all of that being said, I definitely enjoyed your video and will be subscribing for sure!
Materials list?
What hook and beed are you using?
This is a umpqua jig hook, but any jig hook from fulling mill, hank etc. will work!
What bead and thread size uncorded?
You know how tender the worm is and how ez to cut with thread? That can be defeated. Get very, very small heat shrink tube. Cut a 1/4" or shorter piece. Slip worm thru. Carefully hit with lighter tip (dont fry the worm) or tap with fine point soldering iron. Tube shrinks tight. You can tie tubing tight without cutting worm.