Thread Attachment Points
The basic premise in fly tying is to attach materials to the hook with thread wraps. The materials need to be attached between layers of thread. If one ties material against the bare metal of the hook shank, the material will spin around the hook between the metal and the thread, causing all sorts of strange happenings as the tyer continues to construct the fly. So, somewhere along the line, the hook shank has to be covered with thread.
Classically, the thread is attached to the hook at the eye of the fly and wrapped rearward to the bend before materials are tied in. But this is not a production tactic. In production, the thread is attached near the point where the first materials are to be tied in, and during later steps, the shank is eventually covered with thread.
For example, the thread is attached directly above the hook point and wrapped rearward to lock it in (Figure 1). The thread is then wrapped forward as the tail is tied in (Figure 2). As the thread is wrapped back, a piece of tinsel is tied in (Figure 3). Then the thread is wrapped forward again, securing a piece of chenille. The thread is continued forward to cover the hook shank (Figure 4). The chenille is then wrapped forward over the thread-covered shank, followed by the tinsel, and the fly finished (Figure 5).
Figure 1. The thread is attached and wrapped on the rear portion of the hook where the tail will be tied in.
Figure 2. Tie in the tail by wrapping the thread forward.
Figure 3. As the thread is wrapped rearward, the tinsel is tied in.
Figure 4. The chenille is tied in as the thread is wrapped forward to cover thee hook shank.
Figure 5. The body materials are wrapped forward and the wing applied to finish the fly.