Ray,
On a similar note, Charlie Craven uses the tying thread to control hackle wraps from sliding down the front of a Stranahan Caddis Variant
http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/fly...cfm?parentID=8
He lets the thread hang down at the base of the wing where the hackle is tied in and as the hackle is wrapped forward, the thread keeps the hackle wraps tight against each other. This works pretty well, especially on smaller flies; a little dubbing on the thorax works, too, but in smaller flies, it can make the thorax look a bit out of proportion.
Regards,
Scott