Hi Lotech,

I think that just about all fly tyers have the same problem from time to time. One solution that is helpful is not to crowd the eye of the hook. Try and leave some room between your last wrap of hackle and the eye of the hook as they do on Catskill-style dry flies. The other solution that I use is a set of three hackle guards that came with my first Herter's fly tying kit. They are nothing more than three, slightly-cone-shaped pieces of metal with center holes for different sized hook eyes . Different styles and types of hackle guards are still available. I use them only when I seem to be winding down a lot of hackle. Good luck! 8T