beginner question -- tying on hackle

Post by **fflutterffly** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 7:44 am

It's great to have you here at FFF! What to see how much you learn... better than any book yet on the market cuz there are a lot of guys here who wrote those books... maybe... seems like it... they know so much and share everything. Great forum.

As for 'snapping' the hackle. I tried it many times and found it was wasting my time since it always pulled the hackle out of position and I just had to begin again. Took the advice of the guys here and have both a good pair of scissors and an exacto at the ready. I found that for me just stick to the norm and give up the fancy tricks. Shoot some shots and post a few. We love looking at photo's.

DUBBN · Post by **DUBBN** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 7:51 am

I am not a person to give advice, as my patterns aren't that pretty. However, proper thread tension and placement makes snapping the feather off easy and consistent. Once in a while it breaks off before the tie in area, but not often.

I am not a "power" tier either. I just got in the habit of snapping the feather off, and that is how I prefer to do it with hen hackle and partridge.

Same with copper wire. I never cut it with scissors anymore. "Helicoptering" it makes a much neater break/cut off area.

I would suggest becoming proficient at both methods, then determine what you like best.

Welcome to the forum Taylor.

Post by **jaydawg** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:54 am

What I've found is that the "snapping" trick only works well with hen capes. Partridge, not so much. Doesn't work well with saddle feathers either. That's just my experience.

Post by **taylor16** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 11:56 pm

So after tying what seems like 30-40 soft-hackles, it "clicked"... Here is one of the first that I was quite proud of. Partridge and Orange tied with Gossamer silk and floss on a size 14. Thanks for the encouragement!

Post by **JohnP** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 1:40 am

Those look spot-on to me. Nice job.

Post by **Mataura mayfly** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:38 am

Nice work. Nice slim body and sparse hackle, they should work well for you.

DUBBN · Post by **DUBBN** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 5:50 am

Great job Taylor. I am curious. Did you snip the hackle, or snap it? The future of the world depends on your answer.

Post by **taylor16** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:20 am

DUBBN wrote:Great job Taylor. I am curious. Did you snip the hackle, or snap it? The future of the world depends on your answer.

snip

DUBBN · Post by **DUBBN** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:39 am

taylor16 wrote:
snip

Ugh!!! You just shot me through the heart!!!

Post by **fflutterffly** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:52 am

Oh yeah! Taylor in the house.

beginner question -- tying on hackle

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Re: beginner question -- tying on hackle

Re: beginner question -- tying on hackle

Re: beginner question -- tying on hackle

Re: beginner question -- tying on hackle

Re: beginner question -- tying on hackle