There are more ways to make
There are more ways to make fewer wraps than just making fewer wraps! Subsequent wraps also add to the security of materials already tied in. Here's an example. Tying a dry with a flat gold tinsel rib I didn't want a lot of turns specifically holding the rib down after winding it. By using only one wrap and cutting it off a little long the wraps to tie in the hackle also finished tying off the rib.
Another way to reduce bulk is if you form a body from either tinsel or floss how many wraps are specifically used to hold the body on? On my flies, two. I use many wraps to hold the tinsel to the hook shank before winding. You can use a dozen if you like, but count them. Then wind your body along the hook shank and back. While holding the body material under tension, count all the wraps you put on before, off. Then take two over the end of the tinsel to tie down.
Something else that also helps with head size is that many of my salmon flies have a full collar hackle. In order to get this in the wing has to be moved back a little. The hackle is then wound over the wing root. This means I am forming the head on the hook shank behind the eye. This is an example of what I mean.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/AlanBithell/ShortCascade.jpg
Hope there is something there to help.
Cheers,
C.
