No whip finish?

[MThompson]

I watch lots of fly tying videos on YouTube and every now and then the tier will finish the fly by putting a little super glue on the thread and making a few final wraps and cutting the thread. Every one of them says this will never come loose. Im here to say that's complete bullshit. You might be able to fish it that way for awhile but no way in hell does it stand up to multiple fish catches. Am I wrong? Anyone try this?

[DLJeff]

Agree. After spending the time to tie the fly in the first place, I wouldn't trust a couple strands of thread coated with super glue to keep it from unraveling. The one exception might be if the head was then coated with epoxy or UV cure or something. Besides, I'm pretty sure I could whip finish a head in the same time it would take me to uncap the super glue, apply it to the thread, recap the super glue and then wrap the head. And I don't have to worry about getting super glue inside my bobbin.

[Sonoman]

I have done it both ways. I sometimes finish small parachute patterns with superglue or UV epoxy and skip the whip finish, which can trap hackle fibers. The bugs seem to hold up fine through multiple fish. I always whip finish larger flies and non-parachute patterns, typically whip finishing with my fingers rather than using my whip finishing tool.

[MThompson]

I can see it working for small parachutes. Definitely easier. I think most of these videos are designed to sell tools and materials anyway.

[Woodman]

A lot of times I'll use a dab of super glue on the thread and then do a single 3 turn whip finish...but never super glue only. Not sure where you see these videos. Most of the videos I see they whip finish and then don't add any head cement, but I think that's supposed to be understood.