Pretty new to tying jigs but loving it. Problem is trying to finish off my chinelle tie off. I'm using a half hitch with glue now and it seems to work for a while till a mean one tears it up. A picture or an explanation would be appreciated.

A whip finish or three will be much more durable than a half-hitch-glue finish. It can be done with either a tool or your fingers. The split between the two amongst experienced tiers is probably about half and half. Here's some online instruction: http://flyfisherman.com/ftb/jbwhip/

Another possibility is to use a wire counter wrap to reinforce the chenille. You do this by tying in both the chenille and the wire and wrapping in the wire over the chenille in the opposite direction.

use more super glue! I may not be the best fly tier but my flys never fall apart because of bad construction!

here are a couple more for review
Thompson Whip Finisher

Matarelli Whip Finisher

Some folks like the matarelli, some the thompson and others feel that bare fingers is the only way to go.

I am sure that one of these, along with adequate glue, will make it alright.

Just use a whip finish knot tool. Around 10- $15.
Do it twice with 3 wraps each time. Works 4 me .

Are you trying to tie with just chenille, or are you putting down a thread base?

I am tying feathers on first with thread,then tie chanelle toward the hook, then wrap toward the eye and half hitch then glue. It works, but I know its not the pro way of doing it.

Grayone

For bigger stuff like jigs and tie-offs where one needs to work around large masses of material, the matarelli has been much better for me. The Thompson is good but seems to be more for precise, tiny knots and I cannot seem to get it to work on jigs, woolly buggers or other flies where I need to throw a loop of thread over a wider arc. That's just my experience.

I see you are in Dallas. On some Saturdays the Roadkill Roundup fly tiers are out at Bass Pro doing tying demos. Stopping by and asking for help will get you plopped in a chair and put to work They are a great bunch of guys who will be glad to show you all they know.

Earnest posted maybe a seminar on tying jigs in the crappie section. I'm not in a big hurry to learn how to perfect my tying, spending too much time at work. I do appreciate all the comments,and may your dry flies stay dry.