just started tying soft hackles again and am having a hard time getting it right. any techniques to help with wrapping and tying off the hackle would be helpful. actually tying off is where i really seem to mess this up. do you tie off behind the soft hackle? if i try that i seem to wind thread amongst the hackle fibers and it looks like crap. if i don’t, part of the hackle always seems to unwind and i am left with hackle just on the top. HELP!!!
This may help - Tim
This may offer some help also http://www.sexyloops.com/flytying/north … ets2.shtml
While I’m no expert…here is what I do:
I first strip one side of the hackle…helps with the sparse look.
Next I tie in the hackle tip first, (smaller barbules near tip and I don’t break of the the hackle as much).
I also tie the hackle in first with the stem and butt going past the eye…I then continue to tie the fly the last step is to finish off the hackle. I wrap it back toward the bend in close turns then pass the stem through the hackle. Two tight turns to secure. Nip the stem and whip finish with about 3 turns.
This was discussed a while back here is the link (very informative):
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=15252
Hans posted a link to his site showing the process…it has help tremendously in my tying of soft hackles. (Thanks Hans)…
Hope this helps 
Here is Hans alternative method http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwhackle/