Oversize soft hackles

[Ray Kunz]

Some time ago I saw a video clip on a way to "tie on and then spread" soft hackles to effectively reduce their affective size. Could someone help me locate that clip? Thanks.

[Longs for Cutts]

This is how I do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-dfsN0ZPkc

[Ray Kunz]

Thank you Longs for Cuts, that's exactly what I was looking for.

[Gandolf]

Hi All,

Good video, much appreciated. I have used pretty much the same technique, but have had trouble getting the length of the resulting soft hackles right, and also had trouble with distributing the hackle barbs well, but the video helps with both problems I have had.

Regards,

Gandolf

[Longs for Cutts]

I'm actually a lot better at it now than I was when I made the video --tied probably 200dz softies since then without buying many new feathers, so I'm really using that technique a lot.

[ScottP]

Craig Mathews with a different method of skinning said cat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DCYT7NR-m4

I've had varying success, mostly mediocre (a function of my lack of skill) tying it this way, and find Walter's method easier.

Regards,
Scott

[john52948]

the craig mathews technigue looks similar to john barrs method of hackling his graphic caddis pattern.

the latest edition of flytyer also offers a slight variation to this technigue. ive been using a similar technigue for about 6 months now and am extremly happy with it. it allows you to get two or three flies from one feather.

[Silver Creek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-dfsN0ZPkc

The method above is called the single overwrap method.

There is another slightly different way of doing a single over wrap. Rather than over wrap and then distribute the feather fibers, you distribute the fibers and then over wrap. It takes more work but the fibers are always evenly distributed. This second method is demonstrated here:

http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68738

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DCYT7NR-m4

I've had varying success (mostly mediocre) tying it this way, and find Walter's method easier.

Regards,
Scott

For folks that like a printed method, Charlie Craven shows the same thing here:

http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/fly...m?parentID=155

[AlanB]

That is exactly the method I use to put blue jay on the front of an Irish Bumble pattern. One good tip is, once you have the fibres on that way use your thumb nail to roll them around the hook shank. There are other methods as well, but that is about the best of them.
Cheers,
A.

[Byron haugh]

It really helps to keep the hook shank as bare as possible at the tie in point for the feather. That allows the feather fibers to "spin" around the hook shank, allowing a more even distribution of the fibers.