Hackling idea

[Byron haugh]

Seems like nothing is new in fly tying. I have never seen this done anywhere, but it is probably not new.

Anyway, I find that it helps me get a neater head on hackled dry flies. Often, my hackle is not the best and the barbules do not always splay at 90 degrees to the hook shank. In addition, the stems don't always cooperate.

The result is often some errant fibers at the head. You can try to clip them if you have sharp enough pointed scissors, or, worse yet, you can use your hand to "draw back" the fibers. When doing this, and then wrapping thread, you often get an unwanted "swept back" row of barbules.

Anyway, I have had good success using this method. I strip/cut barbules to leave a bare stem about an inch or so above the tie in point. When wrapping, you finish the front hackling with only a bare stem to tie down.

It seems to work well and only takes a few attempts to judge the correct length of hackle barbules to leave for the hackling.

[Hans Weilenmann]

Byron,

You might, of course, try Reverse Hackling, and avoid the challenges you mention altogether

Just a thought...

Cheers,
Hans W

[Byron haugh]

Hans,
Considered that, actually and have done so, on occasion. There again, you can get some "tie downs" of hackle barbules behind the wings.

Ever try the method I mentioned?

[Arnie]

Byron,
I've been hackling my traditional dries with the shiny side of the hackle forward, as described in Charlie Craven's book. Easier to finish the head on small flies without need for hackle guards. I suppose traditionalists might argue this "wrong", but fish approve. Thanks for a good idea. I'm going to give it a test drive tonight.
Good fishing,
Arnie

[Hans Weilenmann]

Ever try the method I mentioned?

Yes I have, Byron - but it is not one I favor. In the rare event that I wrap dry fly hackle towards the eye I use a different method to tie off the hackle tip. Which? The same technique I use to tie off ribbing, and other materials. There will not be any barbs sticking out over the eye.

Flytying is all about choices - and different tiers may arrive at different techniques which work best for them

Cheers,
Hans W

[Byron haugh]

Thanks Arnie. Let us know if it works for you!

[Byron haugh]

Fresh from the vise just now using the method described above and the hackle shown above.
I think it makes for a much neater front of the fly.

[dr korn]

Byron - I think it's a "neat" idea, one I haven't seen before...

[NJTroutbum]

If you want poorer grade hackle to "stand up better" with fewer flyers at the head, dub a slight thorax after tying in your hackle and wrap over it. On many patterns I prefer this method regardless of hackle quality.

Ralph

[Byron haugh]

Ralph,
I often do that with "unruly " hackle. The fact remains, that when you tie off the hackle, you really can't help but mash the barbules at your tie off point.
With the method above, when you tie the hackle off, you are doing so on a bare stem with no barbules to trap.
This is especially true when tying a parachute. Tying off a bare stem is much cleaner....I believe.