Tip #1:  TYEPRO Original or TYEPRO Fly & Ice?

There are two different TYEPRO tools so make sure you order the one to fit your needs. You may want both, but check this first. TYEPRO works well with most jigs from 1/64 to 1/2 oz. All jigs in this range are easy to thread but larger ones can be more difficult to keep in the tool while tying. Also works well with hooks from size 14 to 5/0. Floating jigs with foam right up to the eyelet are not recommended to use with this tool unless you trim some foam away from the eyelet. TYEPRO Fly & Ice works well with most flies from size 2 to 16, hooks from size 10 to 1 and jigs from 1/32 to 1/8 oz.

Tip #2:  Why is there a black bead on my lanyard?

The plastic bead was added to product shipped in mid-March 2015 as a very effective means to keep your TYEPRO from falling off the lanyard, especially if you are prone to bumping into things while fishing. Leave the bead on the lanyard and slide it down tight against the side of the tool to keep it from falling off. Slide it a few inches toward your neck when you want to take the tool off the lanyard. If you didn’t get a bead, ask your daughter or wife if she has one in her craft or jewelry box. Otherwise, you can go to almost any craft shop to get a 6x9mm bead.

Tip #3:  What is the purpose of the O-ring? 

Some customers have requested a tighter clamping force for the tool.  Rolling the O-ring over the tip of the tool to the small waist of the tool will add about 50% more force.  This makes using the clipper a little harder, but still manageable.  Remember that your fingertips should be in the narrow waist of the tool when threading and tying so you can add a lot more force to keep the tool closed if you hold it properly.

Tip #4:  Threading Tips:  Clip flat on end and twist

Always clip the line flat on the end, not at an angle which creates a “point” that can stick in the funnel.  Hold the line about an inch from the end and twist it as you push it through the funnel.  Twisting helps the end of the line glide down the funnel walls and through the eyelet.

Tip #5:  Why isn't there an eyelet cleaning feature on TYEPRO? 

Primarily because you shouldn’t be wasting fishing time cleaning paint from eyelets while you are on the water.  Take care of this task as soon as you buy a pack of jigs with this problem.  The other reason is the cost of the tool would be much higher if an effective cleaning feature were to be added.

Tip #6:  TYEPRO makes tying easier and faster

TYEPRO is just a tool, not the solution to all of your tying needs.  No tool is perfect for all applications but TYEPRO can really help you to thread small eyelets.  Whether you like to, or need to, downsize for finesse fishing, TYEPRO can make tying easier and faster.

Tip #7:  Tying larger/longer hooks and flies

For lures that extend well beyond the tip of TYEPRO, simply hold the line to the side of the tip and spin the tool end-over-end to create the twists for a clinch knot.  Hold the line and tool loosely to create a large loop to send the tag end through after completing your twists.  Remove the lure and wet your line before pulling the knot tight with the standing line. Watch the video here.

Tip #8:  Threading bead head and other small flies

TYEPRO Fly & Ice will work for threading some larger bead head flies but you have to squeeze the tool to force it closed around the eyelet. The tip material is intentionally flexible to allow for some variation in eyelet sizes and eyelets that are right next to the bead, thread, feathers or plastic. Eyelets on smaller bead heads and flies size 18 and smaller don't extend far enough into the eyelet pocket to thread consistently.  Bead heads with the eyelet bent down and no visible shank, as shown in the image below, are the most difficult to thread and not recommended for use with TYEPRO Fly & Ice.

Tip #9:  When to retie, part 1

Knowing when to retie can help you avoid losing a lure, or a great catch.  If your line is even slightly nicked, it has a significantly lower strength.  Nicks most commonly occur when you are catching a lot of fish, usually from sharp teeth near the knot, or when you are fishing in brushpiles or waters with rocky bottoms.  After any hard encounter (fish or bottom), run the last foot or so of line between your fingers.  If you feel any nicks, it’s time to retie with TYEPRO. 

Tip #10:  When to retie, part 2

If you are confident that you are on fish but not getting bites, it’s probably a good time to retie.  That means to try another presentation or lure to see if the fish will be more inclined to bite.  I love to fish with plastic grubs on a 1/16^th oz. jig as I can cover a lot of water.  If that doesn’t work, I’m quick to use TYEPRO to tie on an unweighted hook with a finesse worm to see if a slow drop will be more appealing.  Don’t get skunked because it’s too much work to change presentations.  Use TYEPRO!

Tip #11:  Why TYEPRO doesn't float

Don’t drop TYEPRO in the lake because it doesn’t float.  I could not find a cost-effective way to make the tool float without compromising functionality.  However, if you use TYEPRO for threading eyelets and clipping line ONLY, you can always keep it secured to the lanyard using the black 6X9mm pony bead that has been included in orders placed since mid-March 2015.  The only time you must remove TYEPRO from the lanyard is if you want to spin it to tie your knot.