Tier's Tip - Better Flies With A Clean Bodkin

Much like a butcher utilizing a sharpening steel between cuts of meat or a barber honing a straight edge razor on a leather strap, the fly tier should consider keeping his or her tools in top working order, too.  One such tool of our trade that needs attention every so often is the bodkin.

The bodkin has a myriad of helpful duties, but it's main use is applying head cement.  I also find the tip of the bodkin extremely useful for applying other agents such as lacquer, UV resigns, epoxy and super glue for delicate work or applying/setting eyes.  With regular use these agents, as well as very fine particles of tying material, will collect/build up around the tip and shaft despite the occasional "pinch wipe" between the thumb and finger or swipe across the pant leg.  This build up is magnified more so with the thicker or sticky agents resulting in bigger and uneven drops of head cement on the bodkins' tip.  Now magnify this with the head cement starting to thicken as it eventually does.  How many times have you completed a sharp looking fly only to have head cement travel and gum up materials around the head?  

Keeping your bodkin point clean makes all the difference in the world if you are striving for a professional looking fly, e.g., heads on display or smaller flies.   A small tear drop of head cement (or other agent) on a sharp and clean point significantly aids the tier in precise placement and control. The end result is a great looking fly!   

Here's how to keep your bodkin clean as a whistle:

1)  Grab an old 35mm film canister.   You're probably asking, "Where in the heck do I get one in this digital age?  Any of the big stores that have a photo center!  Yes, places like COSTCO and Walmart still develop film...  They usually have a ton sitting in a box behind the counter and will gladly give you all of them for free!  If you can't locate them there- Ebay.  It will cost a few dollars for a dozen or so, but they have other uses, too!

2)  You'll need three or four SOS pads.  A Dollar Store (or equivalent) usually has small boxes. Ensure all of the cleaning agent has been removed and allow to air dry.  Once completely dry, pack as much of the steel wool in to the canister as you can and place the top on.

3)  With your bodkin, poke a hole directly in the center of the canister's top.  You should noticed a little friction from the canister's top and denseness of the steel wool.  Slightly widen of opening by heating the tip of bodkin with a lighter for a few seconds and reinsert bodkin.

A few quick jabs into the steel wool before and after a tying session (or as needed) will not only keep the bodkin tip clean, but you will soon notice a finer and sharper tip!

Enjoy!