Hackle for klinkhammers

[matt79jh]

I've recently taken to tying my own flies and upto now have concentrated on nymphs and bugs (it being the right time of year to put them to good use)

I'm wanting to tie some small klinkhammers to fish a local canal in summer and target small coarse species.

My question is about suitable hackle for small klinks? I have some cheap indian cock capes but these are too big/long and don't seem to be dense enough in fibres.

Any help appreciated

[syphogenic]

I think you'll be surprised how well the fly will float with even 3 turns of hackle from an indian cape because of the way the fibres sit on the water...blue dun or grizzle seem to be the preferred hackles of choice. You can splash out and buy a genetic cape but Im sure you'll get a blue dun indian that'll give you enough turns of hackle for a good few flies. You can double up a hackle, remember! Treat the hackle with a drop of water shed before you fish them and then a smidgen of gink and they'll float all day.

[richardw]

Originally Posted by matt79jh

I've recently taken to tying my own flies and upto now have concentrated on nymphs and bugs (it being the right time of year to put them to good use)

I'm wanting to tie some small klinkhammers to fish a local canal in summer and target small coarse species.

My question is about suitable hackle for small klinks? I have some cheap indian cock capes but these are too big/long and don't seem to be dense enough in fibres.

Any help appreciated

Whoa there! When I used to tie and use Klinkhåmer Specials the best hackles for the job were from those self same Indian capes. Are you sure they are just too long in the fibre? What about the hackles from near the ear holes?

richard

[matt79jh]

I've tried doubling them up, thanks for that suggestion, that helps with the density.

I've tried using the smallest hackles managable which i get about 3 turns with and still the fibres look too long, where are the eyes located on a cape, are these the 2 front corners, so to speak?

There are plenty of tiny hackles on the front but im not sure my fingers and eyes could work with those, the last one i tried was a hackle of about 1 1/2" in length