I tie mine with dull side of the hackle up, dub a small thorax, finish with the thread right at the base of the post. Then I work the hackle down the post and when I reach the bottom, let the hackle hang by the pliers, pick up the bobbin and take 2 wraps around the base of the post, trapping the hackle (which is then trimmed), then move to the eye and finish the fly. I find that easier for me than trying to whip finish at the base of the post and it works as well.

Regards,
Scott