I think the best way to get the hackle to point backwards and go from larger at the head to smaller to the tail is to tie them like this.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flyt...ers/part13.php

I tie the hackle in by the butt at the head of the fly with the cupped part of the feather facing backwards toward the tail. I make two wraps at the head then palmer backwards toward the tail. I think adding the rib and using this method makes a better looking and more durable fly.