how do you finish yours?

[jonnied17-2008]

how do you finish off your parachute hackle flies?

ive seen several ways.

personally i strengthen the base of the post with touching turns of thread, tie the hackle in so it is pointing up, and wind the hackle down the post and whip finish around the post.

I like this because it is quite secure and I seem to be able to keep the hackle fairly well intact, but i do find that the whip finish causes the hackle fibres to point up, and look a bit naff.

I like the idea of finishing off at the eye, but i cant see myself avoiding those hackle fibres

what are your personal experieneces???

jonnie

[guest15]

Hiya Jonnie, I tie the fly as normal using 8/0, after ive done the thorax i whip finish as normal then change to spiderweb (17/0) i then do the hackle and whip finish but because the thread id so fine it doesnt really affect the hackle at all, its 0240 so i hope this makes sense ?

[jonnied17-2008]

hi there graham thanks for the quick reply I kinda fell asleep....

hmmmm..... i need to try out spiderweb, I here loads of good things about it. is it stong? and how many turns should I use on a whip finish?

I saw a sweet ollie edwards vid on you tube for a paradun, he used spiderweb throughout the whole pattern, it looked superb. He doesnt use any turns to stiffen the post though, something im not overly sure about. I went to the fly fair at newark a couple of years ago, and bought a few paras that didnt have thread around the post and on each of the flies the hackles slipped off I was proper gutted.

[dwiltshire]

Under the hackle everytime for me.

Spiderweb is good. Not that strong though. I like Sheer 14/0 - stronger than spiderweb (if a little thicker) but still allows a good finish under the hackle without upsetting the level of the barbs.

Cheers,

[arkle]

I'll go along with Dave W. on that one, Spider web is a single strand so it can't flatten and it can roll on the shank. Normal threads like the 14/0 have many strands & can flatten slightly so afford a better grip. When they are flattened they can't roll & they absorb varnish better.

[Flyfishing-UK]

I use spider web for some and split the thread for others.

[jonnied17-2008]

Originally Posted by Flyfishing-UK

I use spider web for some and split the thread for others.

split the thread??

[dwiltshire]

Originally Posted by jonnied17-2008

split the thread??

Unwinding the thread (spin the bobbin anticlockwise) and splitting them into two is useful for inserting fibres. Once inserted, re-spin the thread clockwise.

Useful for dubbing. Good for parachutes for CDC for the hackle. Sheer 14/0 very suitable for that too

[jonnied17-2008]

Originally Posted by dwiltshire

Unwinding the thread (spin the bobbin anticlockwise) and splitting them into two is useful for inserting fibres. Once inserted, re-spin the thread clockwise.

Useful for dubbing. Good for parachutes for CDC for the hackle. Sheer 14/0 very suitable for that too

ah i get you now, I thought it was splitting the thread to make it finer

[dwiltshire]

Originally Posted by jonnied17-2008

ah i get you now, I thought it was splitting the thread to make it finer

Maybe that is what he meant...

Flyfishing-UK we need you to confirm