Even or Tapered Length Hackle

All about flies Fly Tying
1

After reading and responding to the thread about hackle gauges, a few added thoughts came to mind. On necks/capes, even genetic ones, the hackle barbs are slightly tapered, insofar as their length from the center stem, as they near the tip. Let me ask these questions:

  • On a neck/cape, where do you measure(eyeball) the hackle barb length: at the bottom end of the ‘sweet spot’, in the middle or somewhere else?
  • Do you measure(eyeball) saddles along the entire length or just one spot?
  • Do you measure(eyeball) both sides of the saddle hackle for barb length?
  • Let’s just say that a saddle hackle has very uniform length hackle barbs. Do you prefer the end-product look or do you prefer the look of neck hackle?

Allan

2

Hey Allen.

I look at the bottom of the feather I am going to use for it’s size. I want that area to be the right size for the fly being tied.

I use Whiting saddles most of the time do to the ammount of flies I can get from them and there quality. I select them for the size I am tying and just go from there. For the most part I find they are pretty much even through out there length so I do not worry to much about it after selecting them.

I do not look at both sides just the side I know will be used.

I think the saddle looks a little neater but the neck hackle looks the best to me. Old School I guess. Ron