Tying parachute flies.

[Mrtrout]

I am a big fan of para flies, and I tie my own to the best of my ability, they catch me fish, but aren't as pretty as a lot of others on here.
My question/discussion here is, why is it always thought to be best to tie the hackle with the concave side of the feather upwards?
I appreciate, that done this way, it causes a natural flow of air as the fly decends, and hopefully places the fly in an upright position on the water.
Well I often find para's tied this way, lie on their side.
Today I tried a test, I have some nicely tied pink post para's, tied by a professional, all on size #16 Kamasan B400's.
Now these flies all had the hackle in the opposite direction, i.e with the concave in the down position, and for the life of me, I couldn't get them to fall over, or lie incorrectly, every cast the fly came down perfectly, and sat like a little boat on the river.
Also, surely the footprint created by the hackle, must be better with the hackle points in this direction, causing a definite pattern on the water.
It was quite a revelation actually, and I have tied some more this afternoon to try and convince myself I am correct in my assumption.
I wait to be shot down in flames.
S.

[dutchy1978]

Hi Steven,

The only parachutes i tie concave side up are Klinkhamers all the other para's i do are down.. Never really noticed my klinks lying on their side, but i always wet the body before i use them. And tie them as large as my ears.


Jerry

[Mrtrout]

Originally Posted by dutchy1978

Hi Steven,

The only parachutes i tie concave side up are Klinkhamers all the other para's i do are down.. Never really noticed my klinks lying on their side, but i always wet the body before i use them. And tie them as large as my ears.


Jerry

Crikey, they are big.
Take a look at this Jerry, and why do you tie the others concave down?
Parachute Dry Fly - Parachute style dry flies are some of the most versitile patterns in a fly fishers arsenal. Tie them in a few colors and sizes and you are ready to match many a hatch. - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher

[hiyabarney]

I belive after watching Oliver Edwards dvd's the original tying of Han's Klinkhammers the hackle is tied concave side up to allow the fly to sit more lower in the water as an emerger, rather than on the hackle points.
Hope this explantion helps...
Martin...

[Mrtrout]

Originally Posted by hiyabarney

I belive after watching Oliver Edwards dvd's the original tying of Han's Klinkhammers the hackle is tied concave side up to allow the fly to sit more lower in the water as an emerger, rather than on the hackle points.
Hope this explantion helps...
Martin...

Yes I can see that, and understand the reasoning Martin, thanks.
It doesn't explain to me why the other way it always comes down right, and concave up, it is hit and miss.
The post is the same length on each fly, and not over long.
S.

[dutchy1978]

Because Oli said so i guess, the only thing i don't like tying concave side down is finishing off the fly on the post.. But i think you are right about what you said about the footprint tying the concave side down..

I love para flies...

Jerry

[stevekale]

Martin has it in one. All para flies. The idea behind the fly is to get it to sit lower in the water rather than propped up on the hackle. Klinkhamer Specials go one step further and have the body tied on a bent hook so that it hangs below the surface and as a result can be seen much earlier by the trout (inside the mirror, so-to-speak). I'm not sure why tying them the other way would help them land hook down.

[wobbly face]

Goddard doesn't mention which way the hackle should be. I normally just tie the hackle in and don't bother which is up or down. No problem at all in how it sits. If a pattern states concave up, then that is what I'll do, otherwise, don't bother.

[hiyabarney]

S, tying the hackle concave side down could have the same effect as a real parachute in so much as it traps air inside the canopy allowing for a controled descent, when the hackle points touch the water surface the fly is supported by the points and maybe traping air in the hackle canopy
Just a thought
Time for bed now, work tomorrow.
Martin....

[Mrtrout]

Originally Posted by hiyabarney

S, tying the hackle concave side down could have the same effect as a real parachute in so much as it traps air inside the canopy allowing for a controled descent, when the hackle points touch the water surface the fly is supported by the points and maybe traping air in the hackle canopy
Just a thought
Time for bed now, work tomorrow.
Martin....

You may have it there Martin, I appreciate it isn't sitting in the water in quite the same way as a klinkhammer is meant to sit, but it works for me, and seeing the fly is one of my main concerns, and knowing it is upright from the moment it alights.
Sleep well.
S.