The “Pinch Tie In” is one of the basic techniques used in fly tying. It allows for the fly tier to control the material and place controlled thread wraps onto that material.
Controlling the the material when tying flies is one of the keys to tying proper and proportional patterns!
This segment is from the DVD 50 Years Behind the Vise – the best introduction to fly tying techniques ever produced. It features world famous fly fishermen Lefty Kreh & Bob Clouser, who have over 60 years combined experience tying flies for fresh and salt water fishing.
The Hand Whip Finish is a great technique to master. Once you master the Hand Whip Finish, you will have a deep understanding of how the whip finish knot works.
The Hand Whip Finish allows you to quickly finish off a fly, without the aid of the Whip finisher Tool.
Any fly fisher worth their salt should already know these but they’re still useful to know if you’re a seasoned pro or a rank amateur. Most of these knots are from Grog’s Animated Knots.
Better to know a knot and not need it, than need a knot and not know it.
I found this site, sexyloops.com – it has pages of info on fly casting.
Check out their section on flycasting.