HOW to WHIP FINISH a Fly - STANDARD WHIP FINISHING TOOL - Tying & Finisher Instructions EASY!!!

HOW to WHIP FINISH a Fly - STANDARD WHIP FINISHER TOOL - Tying Tutorial & Finishing Instructions EASY! I got my first whip finish tool many years ago from a fly tying kit I bought from a Cabela's mail order catalog. The standard whip finish tool looked cool. However, I had difficulty using it and learned to whip finish the easy way - by hand. Decades later I picked up the whip finish tool again and it came like magic. Between shore side conversations (see below) and KZbin messages I found many had the same experience whip finishing a fly. I am happy to share with you a few simple concepts on whip finishing a fly from start to finish. I have two hopes for this video. One is you get it out the gate. The second, you have a eureka moment after time and practice and your whip finish all comes together. I am not sure how my "simple" concepts are to follow but I hope some helps. Please feel free to comment and any questions about your whip finish I would be more then happy to oblige.
The video was made to watch in its entirety if you are new to whip finishing a fly. If you are like me and you came back to the whip finish tool I would suggest to first watch the whole video. Find where you feel you are going wrong watch those segments and try again. I made a detailed list below of all the basic concepts and where you may be going awry when you whip finish with a tool. Have fun out there and we are always happy to share our experiences with all those around the world and hope you enjoyed the video as much as we did making it and remember always - Fish Your Way!
Basic Concepts
Material or Thread Base & Half Hitch 2:00 10:40 13:20
**The hitch and base are not needed to start but will help sure your whip and your whip finish will tie easier to help get the basics listed below down**
#4 to Triangle 3:20 4:10 5:20
Rotation 5:50 6:40
Hook Direction 8:00 14:20
What You May Be Doing Wrong 12:15
Whip Finish is not forming and slips - Eye of the Hook 9:40 15:15
Whip Finish Blows in the Middle - Falling Out of Hooks 14:20 or Tension 10:10 12:50
Base of Whip Finish slides - Base & Half Hitch 10:40 13:20
QUICK REVIEW 11:20
As I wade back to shore in my clumsily ginger fashion I come across a familiar face.
Its the familiar face of angling through centuries we all identify with.
The Pleasant Stream Side Angler.
We have a brief yet familiar conversation.
Pleasant Stream-Side Angler: "Hey Jerry, Do you ever use that whip finish tool when you tie a fly?"
Jerry: "No! I whipped it across the room though!"
Pleasant Stream-Side Angler: "Anything?"
Jerry: "Nope, but I seen a big one come clean up and give chase!"
Pleasant Stream-Side Angler: "Yea, They're in there."
Jerry: "Catch you later"
Pleasant Stream-Side Angler: "Best of Luck!"
Jerry: "Thanks! Will need it for the next one!"
The Pleasant Stream-Side Angler walks away slowly yet solid fading into a tan brown thicket brush backdrop.

[@northerngm6431]

The whip finisher you have is a Thompson style, also, you do it completely different than the way I learned it 50 years ago.

[@FishYourWay]

Thank you yes it is a little different thanks for sharing

[@northerngm6431]

@FishYourWay What's interesting is that a specialized tool can perform the same job differently, which is really amazing!

[@Nudgeworth]

Thank you for your clear, and very thorough explanation. It helped me to understand what I was seeing when you said it was a snell knot.

[@FishYourWay]

You're very welcome! Once you catch that its all you! Thank you for the words!

[@ncbirdwatch5992]

A great explanation as well as video of how the whip is used. My hands have always shook & it has kept me from tying flies due to me getting frustrated. You putting yourself out there with a "I don't let it get to me" attitude was as inspiring to me (maybe even more) than the whip finisher part of the video. Thanks, if means a lot to me. 👍🙂

[@FishYourWay]

Thanks for the words and thoughts NC Birdwatch. believe me I know how you feel there are days I have to hold off on the tying because it just aint happening but I know I can tie anything out there. been like that my hole life and after many years I dont mind it at all. I get some negativity for it I find that odd but my thoughts are its a people filter. So slad the video hit other "angles" as well per thought a even deeper meaning in there much appreciate bringing that point out, kindest regards and Fish Your Way!

[@tomg4693]

Thank you!!!! I spent a frustrating evening trying techniques from other videos, and nothing worked properly. After watching your demonstration, I just did three perfect whip finishes in a row.

[@FishYourWay]

Thanks for the input Tom! I should have made mention in the video if you do whip finish by hand the motion is similar if you think of your hands as the hooks but looks like you got in! Thanks much for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@hooper4581]

Ha lol. I spent hour watching a couple other vids first. Why I didn’t watch this first 🤷‍♂️ Once again jerry comes through

[@FishYourWay]

@@hooper4581 Thanks Hooper!!!

[@mikenielson7496]

Been looking for a while for a good video on Whips with the standard tool. The best one I've found.

[@FishYourWay]

Thank you!

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

what advantages does this style whip have over the other (mattarelli?) Are the flies that need this one?

[@FishYourWay]

I dont think may may just be a preference of dexterity to the individual but I am sure there are some

[@garrybee6709]

Thank you very much! Health to you! Greetings from Russia!

[@FishYourWay]

Hi Garry! Thanks much for watching, taking the time to comment and subscribing, also so cool to hear from people so far away! Greetings from America and thanks again Garry!

[@asddfasdilikepie]

Really looking forward to the trout season starting soon here in the UK. I managed to learn the half hitch and whip finish watching your video. It was really useful that you demonstrated it so many times because it probably took me about 15 minutes to really get the hang of it! Great video!

[@FishYourWay]

Thanks so much Josh! So cool the two knots you picked up on as well in a short period of time. May your trout season be blessed and thanks so much for watching, commenting and subscribing, tightlines!

[@knightingalesaid]

I have that same one. Thanks for the video.

[@FishYourWay]

They are great! Thanks for watching Gary!

[@Funkyluv]

Hello Jerry, I really appreciate your time and video its been a great learning tool on this particular whip. This whip was driving me nuts I couldn't figure it out, a big thanks to your video I learned it. 👌🏾

[@FishYourWay]

Glad it helped! It is probably one of the more difficult whips to learn but very easy when you get the motion gown, thank you for the comment!

[@smokster0604]

Gotta love tying your own fly’s....1/2 hitch Knoting you’re way ....FJB awesome

[@FishYourWay]

Thanks smokster! Confucius say's - the finish knot of the fly is more important then the fly

[@tuloko16]

I have that same whip finisher that came in my cabelas kit that i got many years ago. I find it very frustrating to use. The best way that i found to use it is: Similar method that you are doing with the #4, but once you form the #4 you pull it tight and put the hook shank were you want the knot on the (inside hook) of the tool. Then keeping rhe hook shank against the inside hook, and to tool parallel to the hook shank, just rotate the tool to do the turns. I hooe that makes sence. I put up with this tool for years, until finally decided to bend a paper clip into the shape of the “other style” of tool. Works so much better.

[@FishYourWay]

Thanks for sharing will check that out

[@dmanc53]

I finally did it! got a big hook and line to practice with. on youtube settings you can slow the video down. It helped that my view angle was what I needed to see....., and that hook needed to be AWAY from me when I looped onto the fly hook. Still all thumbs, but getting better

[@FishYourWay]

Glad it helped! One small item of detail can blow a whip easy. Do a few and before you know it eyes closed! Thanks so much for the feedback Diane!

[@DanielEngsvang]

Great initiative!. I am trying to learn right now and this sure helps.

[@FishYourWay]

Thanks!

[@23KCOutdoors]

I gotta try this

[@FishYourWay]

Give it a go! Any question in the process just drop a msg anytime, thanks for watching and tightlines!

[@christianrosler6434]

Super Erklärt 👌💪

[@FishYourWay]

Thank you Christian!

[@1539Mickey]

Hi Jerry, That's a very interesting tool. It looks like a great way to tie a very fine knot onto the hook. This is a great winter time video. A lot of us are making leaders and rigs for the upcoming fishing season and fly and teaser tying time is now. Thanks for the educational video. Good luck, Mickey

[@FishYourWay]

They are great when you know how to use them! I had this one laying around for 20 years or more before I got it. I just learned the tie by hand so I never picked it up. they do help with pin point accuracy for small small hooks. Hope it helps someone accelerate the learning process from 20 years to 2 minutes! Thanks as always Mickey!

[@wbean316]

You help me a bunch thank you very much

[@FishYourWay]

Happy to help!!! thanks for the feedback wes!

[@user-vq9wf9hk8e]

Baitholder-the best hook!

[@FishYourWay]

Love them thanks!

[@robertlucas8104]

Love your videos on making flies! It’s an art and what you’re demonstrating is so intricate. To think that fly fishermen.. hell all fishermen.. depended on this before tackle shops and super stores started selling them. Still, id trust a good ol hand made one. It’s exciting catching a fish on what you made. Tight lines 🤞🏼

[@FishYourWay]

Hi Rob, thanks for taking the time to comment enjoyed reading it. Theres so much minute detail it gets crazy! But key is the abstract the main points so hope I did that. I do prefer my own ties adds to the picture. Some people start by tying flies before they even fish! Again thanks for the kind words, sharing and watching

[@robertlucas8104]

Fish Your Way not a problem! On a side note, I just rescued a Penn delmar 285 from being junked! I noticed it’s not like present day level winders. Looks more like a reel for the boat and the pier? I see you’d have to manually lay the line on the spool with your fingers.. Other than that, it works incredibly fine. Perhaps some advice on this little treasure?

[@FishYourWay]

@@robertlucas8104 The 285 is a robust reel and can be fished about surf, pier and boat! I would feel comfortable using it on the surf. It is a more robust reel the the penn 85 sea boy in line with the long beach series. Some have a chrome spool which are suited best on boat and some pier but shore bound anglers should go with the Bakelite spool, less inertia or centrifugal force develops for a better cast. Perfect for boat fishing. Slightly slow retrieve but a full fill of line on a larger diameter spool compensates with some good wrenching power. I have a few about here I will try to get a video done this spring fall with one if I get the chance for you Rob. Any questions just drop a line on it!

[@robertlucas8104]

Fish Your Way thanks so much!!! It’s a pretty reel even if it was the simpler kind in the legendary days of penn. they really were built to last. My friend’s father has a penn 710 that still casts and fights fish like a dream. The newer penns don’t live up to their predecessors! I’ll be looking forward to footage on the delmar!

[@FishYourWay]

They are not the same reels prior to 200X. I will only use the older ones. The 710 would be my goto spin reel if I was a spinning enthusiast. The design is plain perfect for the salt surf and fishing in general all made to last. Thanks for sharing rob!

[@Njmetsfan27]

Nice 👍🏼

[@FishYourWay]

Thanks Lloyd! Give it a go! Much appreciate as always!

[@nervousstranger]

There's a tool for everything. Doing it by hand is simple.

[@FishYourWay]

So true, I put that in the write up and mention in the video, thanks much for watching, commenting and sharing

[@baarsbaazb.3705]

EUREKA!! Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.

[@FishYourWay]

Welcome! Could not have a better comment much appreciate!

[@baarsbaazb.3705]

@@FishYourWay So nice to all of a sudden know I am not a clumsy fool. Very happy!

[@FishYourWay]

@@baarsbaazb.3705 They are fun to make once you get the hang!

[@fabricelrt4937]

La vidéo qui m'a enfin aidé à réussir 👍🙏

[@FishYourWay]

Thank you!

[@sub_for_no_reason317]

lol, is it an owner hook (the baitholder-version) for worms? - my absolute favourite hook for small fish!!

[@FishYourWay]

Yes! That it is exactly! I just grabbed a nice big hook so you can see well on camera in proportion with the tools used. Good observation they are good hooks too!

[@user-vq9wf9hk8e]

Size 14 drive.google.com/file/d/17ShwnizG1JVvbA1uP7MOOb7KidHJQQln/view?usp=drivesdk

[@markinnis8404]

I am sorry, this is not how you use the Thompson whip finishing tool.

[@FishYourWay]

...I just did

[@PESCASURFCASTING]

HeIIo 💝🎁👍🙏✌

[@FishYourWay]

Thanks Yacin! Always simple and to the point love your comments!

[@GeraldMundy]

i get dizzy watching the shaking hand

[@FishYourWay]

That sucks

[@jerrymundy6501]

I’m dizzy from the shaking hands ……….

[@FishYourWay]

Good for you babe

[@Thebazzman]

Over 3.5 minutes to describe a 20 sec demonstration?

[@FishYourWay]

Sure thing no problem glad to get it in there. I was happy to get in where things may be about going wrong and showing iteration to help some in the learning process. We use a different angle of attack over other videos to help those that did not get it right away. If one gets it in the first 20 seconds the video did its job. If they did not get it in 20 seconds we stay with the view for 20 minutes until they do. People tend to pick things up different and we give 20 minutes hoping that most will get it in the time frame. Of course the sooner the better such as yourself. Thanks much for the comment great point

[@gabrielfusaru1211]

too complicated.... should be an easier method too.

[@FishYourWay]

Let me know! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@dylanupdyke4616]

Your shaking a lot

[@FishYourWay]

Good observation

[@GeraldMundy]

Parkinson's ?

[@FishYourWay]

Sure

[@Nudgeworth]

Thank you for your clear, and very thorough explanation. It helped me to understand what I was seeing when you said it was a snell knot.

[@FishYourWay]

You're very welcome! Once you catch that its all you! Thank you for the words!