1. Select a feather where the barbs are of equal length
on both sides of the stem. The feathers stem is snipped
to remove the tip of the feather, creating a V-shape feather.
2. Stripping away the lower barbs on the feather stem
to adjust for the final fullness of the beard (throat hackle).
3. Position the feather under the fly, with the separate
sides of the feather on opposite-sides of thread hanging
beneath the hook. Some feathers have a natural curve, so
proper position of the barbs is important before securing
the hackle to the hook.
4. Pinching the feather, on both sides of the hook with
your fingers, do two preliminary thread wraps under
moderate tension.
5. With moderate tension on the thread, pull the feather
stem forward, sliding the hackle barbs thru the thread
loops, until the you have the length of throat-hackle
you want.
6. After you have completed the final positioning, do
additional tight thread wraps to secure. Secure with
a half hitch, then remove any excess material.
