Among the many contributions Dave Whitlock has made to fly tying, his Mason hard mono foundation stands as one of the most practical innovations for creating durable, long-lasting flies. This technique not only reinforces the fly's structure but also provides a stable platform that simplifies the addition of any tying materials.
The technique was introduced to me by Allen Rupp, an accomplished fly tyer and instructor who teaches Dave's methods and patterns through video tutorials, online courses, and in-person workshops.
Materials:
- Mason hard type nylon that is equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the hook,typically this is 14-30 lb. test.
- Zap-A-Gap adhesive (green label)
- Either 100-200 denier GSP or traditional 210 denier polyester thread
- Diamond file, emory board, or fine metal file
- Smooth-jaw pliers - I like Xuron pliers
Mason Hard Mono Foundation - Step by step:
1. Begin by securing the hook firmly in the vise and lightly scratching the hook shank's surface with the diamond file. The texturing of the hook’s shank enhances the adhesive’s bond to the shank.
2. Apply a thin layer of Zap-A-Gap to the prepared hook shank.
3. Lay a tight and touching base of thread through the wet Zap-A-Gap.
4. Take two pieces of Mason Hard Mono, trim them to the same length as the hook shank.
5. Tie both in to the sides of the hook shank (I like to tie both in at the same time). I have also found pinching the tip of the nylon about 1mm on both ends to help in aligning the mono. The aim is to parallel the hook shank with the mono.
6. Once the mono is completely covered with thread, tie off your thread with a quick whip finish.
7. Take the smooth-jawed pliers and align the mono to be straight and parallel to the hook’s shank. Apply a healthy coat of Zap-A-Gap to the entire foundation and set the prepared hook aside to fully cure. 20 minutes is enough to be dry to the touch, it takes 24 hours for Zap-A-Gap to fully cure.
Dave used this platform on so many of his fly patterns. Dave’s Hopper, the Whit Hair Bug, the Whit Stonefly Nymph, the Whitlock Gorilla Damsel - Dragonfly - Dragon Fly, and Dave’s Nuevo Spidare, are just a few of the flies that Dave used this foundation on. I use this foundation on my Big Boi Popper, All my Divers, and my Mini Frog Bombs and will never tie these without it again.
I encourage you to experiment with Dave's Hard Mono Foundation. You'll find that materials stay exactly where you want them to and more importantly, your flies will endure much more abuse. It's one of those techniques that fundamentally changes how you will approach your fly tying.