[gqualls]

I avoided tying with biots for a long time until I learned a great tip ...... soak the biots before you tie with them. Pull them off the stem and either put them in a very wet towel and fold over, or, put some water on a saucer and let them float. After about 5-6 minutes they will have softened considerably making them much easier to work with.

You also notice at the base of the biot there is a small notch. If you want you body to have a ribbed appearance tie the biot in with the notch facing the eye of the hook; for a smooth appearance tie biot in with notch face hook gap.

On small dry flies (18's and 20's) I'll hold the biot in my left hand with the notch facing left ; then I use scissors and trim stem off right side of biot .... this enables you to tie a small fly with a thinner profile (less bulk). Tedious, yes, but in my opinion, worth the effort.

Hope this has been helpful.

[headgear]

Greg...are you saying that flies tied with biots are preferable to corn or worms? ("I'm just saying...")
Thanks for the detailed tip.

bb

[gqualls]

Well, I have become somewhat proficient at dying biots to emulate natural food sources, yellow and brown notwithstanding. Kidding aside, I love tying with biots, and I like the natural segmented look of a biot.

[flytire]

http://www.sexyloops.com/flytying/summerbiots.shtml

http://www.invictaflies.us/Articles/all_about_biots.htm