Winding a rib over a hackle

[Inspiron]

Firstly I would like to apologise if what I am about to ask has already been sorted in an earlier thread!

I have been tying flies for about 2 years and have a problem when it comes to winding a wire rib through a body hackle. The rib seems to flatten most of the hackle fibres meaning that the hackle looks sparse and uneven in places. I was just wondering if any of the more advanced tyers knew of a way to reduce this effect or rule it out completely!

I thank you in advance for your advice!

Sam

[enfieldspares]

Keep the ribbing wire (or tinsel) very tight and sort of "work" it through the hackle almost "wriggling" it through the feather fibre. That way the feather fibre usually is not caught.

[Gander]

As Enfieldspares has already replied, try moving the rib slightly left and right as you wind it. This works well for wire and oval tinsel type ribs.

If however you are looking at a wider rib of medium flat tinsel or wider, there is something else you could try. Wind the tinsel first over the body, then wind the hackle over the rib. Now wind a second fine rib over the turns of the first rib, but this time over the turns of hackle, remembering to wriggle it as you go to release potentially trapped fibres.

This is unorthodox, but it works for me.

[itchybeard]

Hi Inspiron
I'm sure that I have read in an step-by-step somewhere that winding it as quick as possible trapps less fibres? It's worth a try I tend to use the wiggle method but I will try the fast one next time.
Let us know how you get on.

[Albannach cuileag]

The wiggling of the rib through the fibres of the feather is the best method. Trying to master the fast wind will end up with a lot of screwed up hackles. Stick to the simpler method, speed is not an issue in tying a fly, care is.

[itchybeard]

Originally Posted by Albannach cuileag

The wiggling of the rib through the fibres of the feather is the best method. Trying to master the fast wind will end up with a lot of screwed up hackles. Stick to the simpler method, speed is not an issue in tying a fly, care is.

I will stick with the wiggle then.

[Scotaidh]

In addition to the wriggling method try rubbing the hackle fibres lightly between thumb and forefinger up and down the fly whilst winding on. I find this springs back into place any fibres in the process of becoming trapped.

[Stillwater angler]

Originally Posted by Inspiron

Firstly I would like to apologise if what I am about to ask has already been sorted in an earlier thread!

I have been tying flies for about 2 years and have a problem when it comes to winding a wire rib through a body hackle. The rib seems to flatten most of the hackle fibres meaning that the hackle looks sparse and uneven in places. I was just wondering if any of the more advanced tyers knew of a way to reduce this effect or rule it out completely!

I thank you in advance for your advice!

Sam

Hi, if you just want to hold the hackle in place try fluro-carbon, i use 3-4 lb fluro-carbon to ribb quite a few of my wets, it's very easy to wind through hackles. regard's Fred B.

[Inspiron]

Thanks for all the solutions chaps! I will be sure to give them a go. You might be hearing from me again regarding other tying problems!

[Hans Weilenmann]

Originally Posted by Albannach cuileag

The wiggling of the rib through the fibres of the feather is the best method. Trying to master the fast wind will end up with a lot of screwed up hackles. Stick to the simpler method, speed is not an issue in tying a fly, care is.

Hmmm... not sure I entirely agree with you here, m'friend. Wiggling is part, speed is part, but perhaps the most important component when cutting through a hackle with a (narrow) rib or tying thread is maintaining tension. The hackle barbs tend to part, out of the way of the advancing rib or thread. A bit like Mozes parting the Red Sea

Cheers,
Hans W