Making mono eyes?

[AlderBrookFarm]

I'm working on filling my fly box for this years trip to the Keys and was trying to make eye stalks from burned mono for shrimp. Is there some trick I'm missing? I'm using a candle and have tried 30, 40, and 50lb test and yes...they all say monofilament on the spool. I've tried different spots in the candle flame as I know some parts of the flame are hotter than others, and I just can't seem to get the nice bulge they show in the picture, never mind getting the burned part. The line softens and bends, gets bubbles behind the bulge and a host of other messes. Suggestions anyone?

[striblue]

Yes..it is very easy.. I would use mono from a spool. The part of the flame does not mean anything.. ..take a long piece of mono..about 6 or 7 inches..so you can get two eyes from the ends. Hold the flame briefly at the mono..mono pointed down into the flame until it catches on fire...you will see it catch with a small flame ..let it burn up for about 2 or 3 seconds..blow out.... keep it held down perpendicular to get a straight set...if you want the eye balls a bit crooked so the pop up a bit for a crab pattern ..turn the mono horizotal.. you should get a fairly round eye..but to get a perfect ball.. you should either color the brownish color resulting from the flame with black paint or magic marker..then dip in epoxy moving the mono sprig around in your hands to get the perfect ball. hope that helps..you will need to do this a couple times to get it down.

[AlderBrookFarm]

Thanks...I'll try the epoxy. I've already done the magic marker & dip in paint. I have let it catch on fire as you described but i seem to be getting a nasty section that's deformed with bubbles behind the bulge...as I said, I'll try the epoxy.

[striblue]

Yes..That's common..don't let it burn long.

[Capt Matt T]

Here is a quick little video demonstrating how to make mono eyes...

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hope this helps!