hackle guard

[1968drum]

I seem to have trouble trapping hackle fibers when i'm tying off the head of my flies, anyone have suggestions to prevent this(frustrating) i can't find any hackle guards anywhere and dont know if they are even worth it. any help is appreciated, Daniel
thanks guys, appreciate all the help

[fritz]

In my early days I too had this problem until I increased the space for whip finshing from the hook eye. While holding the hackle firmly, all you need is one to two thread windings. An inexpensive hackle guard is the end of a ball pint pen. Best wishes

[Normand]

a simple mcdonalds fountain straw works great as a hackle guard

[Wes]

the first 2 suggestions are easy and inexpensive and work as well as hackle guards. i have a set of hackle guards i'll send you. i don't use them. if y'all want to try em shoot me a pm with address. fritz' suggestion to increase head space is probably all that's needed.

[rainbowchaser]

I usually just push the hackle back with the fingers of one hand while whip fininshing with the other. Another inexpensive choice I have seen is to cut a slot in piece of cardboard and slide it over the hook shank in front of the hackle.

[maodiver]

+1 to Normand's

For smaller hooks, use the stirrer straws

For all straws, cut a slit in the ring to make them easier to slide onto the thread.