"riverman" wrote in message
...
Which brings us to a variant of the first question..why not just lay the
polypro across the hook (making a little cross), then wrap some Xs to
secure
it, and fold it up and make the U above the shaft? I thought parachutes
were
supposed to float the fly just below the surface, with just the parachute
above. If the polypro provides floation, don't we want as little as
possible
below the hook?

--riverman

Sure, many people do that, see Svend's post above.

The amount of poly (foam, whatever) below the hook with the method Chuck
mentions is miniscule. I like that method better myself, because it's very
secure, I like a little bulk in the thorax area, and I think it makes a
smoother post to wrap on without a need to build up much thread, That said,
I still tie most of mine with turkey flats (t-base) - and part of that is
because I acquired several bags of the stuff and want to use it upg.