Help with hackles.

[scm256]

Hi. Been tying for a few years now and I can do a not bad head hackle but for some reason whenever I try a palmer hackle I struggle to get it to wrap round the hook ok. I've tried tying it in on the side, on the top, facing backwards and also forwards like some of the sbs show but I seem to be missing something fundamental. Any guidance would be much appreciated.

[maharg]

Do you double/fold the hackle or wind it as is?
I always double mine and have no problems.
ATB
Graham

[wobbly face]

Do as been suggested by maharg, or you could strip of the fibres along one side of the hackle that will go against the body of the fly.
For a bushy fly, double fold.

[scm256]

Originally Posted by maharg

Do you double/fold the hackle or wind it as is?
I always double mine and have no problems.
ATB
Graham

I try and do that with a head hackle. Never thought to try it with a palmered one. I'll give that a crack tomorrow and see how I get on. Cheers.

[maharg]

Two schools in winding a palmered hackle.

1. tie in at the eye, butt of feather, wind back down the body and secure the hackle end with a rib spiralling back up the body in an opposite direction.

2.Tie in at the bend,tip of feather, and wind up over the body to the head. Not so critical to secure with a rib.
Either works and both have merits.

---------- Post added at 10:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 PM ----------

Practice over a dubbed or soft body to give the hackle a chance to bed in. Once this is mastered try over a "hard" body like tinsel.

[dabhoy]

I never bother doubling mine but remove a small section of fibres on the side of the hackle that is going to touch the hook first as this can be the point that can start to twist some hackles.

[jim doyle]

Originally Posted by dabhoy

I never bother doubling mine but remove a small section of fibres on the side of the hackle that is going to touch the hook first as this can be the point that can start to twist some hackles.

But he only does this after copious amounts of drink so be warned ....it is the road to ruin.

[arkle]

I tie 90+% of palmered hackles butt end at front & rib in the opposite direction. The trick with ribbing is to be confident & work fairly quickly. That helps prevent the fibres drom being crushed back onto the body as they spring out before they have a chance of being trapped there.

Try to ensure that you always have the face (shiney side) of the hackle facing to the front/eye & only stroke the fibres back after completing tying in, with the rib lashed down securely.