4) Starting the Thread on the Hook

In this series of pictures a fly line is used on a black hook in order to make the demonstration more obvious.

To start the thread on the hook, place the thread against the hook about midway up the shank. Hold the bottom half of the thread in place with your left hand. Take the top half of the thread with your right hand. Reverse if you are left handed. Wrap towards the eye of the hook. Make at least 5 wraps

NB: The thread should move away from you as you wrap over the hook. It should come towards you as you wrap under the hook.

Next wrap toward the rear of the hook until the previous wraps are covered. The thread is now locked in place.

Now trim the part of the thread which is still hanging down

This illustration is meant to reinforce the direction in which you must wrap the thread. Beginners very commonly wrap in the wrong direction.

When wrapping with your bobbin, the thread should only be out 2 to 3 cm. This allows for quick and easy wrapping with your wrist. As the thread gets used up, pull a little more off the spool.

This is far too much thread. It is cumbersome to wrap since you have to get your whole arm in the act.

When the thread has been locked in place, you need to wrap it to the bend of the hook. This is where most of your materials will get tied on. Be careful as you approach the hook point since it can slice the thread. Angle the thread as shown and keep wrapping this way until you reach the bend.

This is how your set-up should look before you begin adding the materials.