split thread fur hackle- help please

[neil26]

hi im trying to tie some PTN with a fur hackle- dyed squirrel, im using sheer 14/0 and its splits easily and im able to insert the fur and spread out ok , but as i try to respin the thread most of the hackle hairs come out and when wound on it looks uneven. does anyone have any tips for this technique~?
thanks, i'll try to post some pics of my flies when i work out how to do that.
thanks


ps how durable is a fur hackle?

[dwiltshire]

Hi Neil,

They are very durable.

A couple of things to try / check you are doing:

1) Put the fibres at 90 degrees to the thread and not in line with it.

2) Pinch the thread between finger and thumb beneath where you have placed the fibres. Then spin the bobbin. When you are ready and have spun enough (don't be afraid to let it spin up quite alot!) release the pinch and the fibres will twist really fast. Running your finger up the thread will help distribute soem of the twists up through the dubbing. You will always lose a few fibres.

3) When winding, gently stroke back the fibres with each forwards wrap.

4) Remember to unwind the thread before starting the whip finish.

Hope this helps.

[dwiltshire]

Just a thought as well Neil...

I made the assumption you were using body fur from the squirrel, raked out? If you are using fibres from the tails, they are too stiff really to be successfully hackled in this way.

There are many other options for fur hackles too. Experiment where you can.

Cheers,

[TeePee]

Neil.
This is not fur but may be of some help
in the process of spinning .
the link should have took you to .Wild-fishing-scotland forum (partridge and orange) by Scotfly.
dont know what happened there sorry..

T.p

[westcountry]

Originally Posted by TeePee

Neil.
This is not fur but may be of some help
in the process of spinning Partridge and Orange

T.p

Interesting link there!
No use whatsoever but I'd like to know how you did it


Andy

[neil26]

thanks for the help.
im using squirell body fur - i cut a small tuft off the skin and then tease out the under fur with my fingers- (like how i've seen marabou stems stripped for tying in) i then put the hairs in the split thread at 90 deg then use scissors to cut a few mm off the skin end of the fur- so that the natural tips are slightly longer- my idea being that when spun and applied as a hackle the tips will be longer than the cut end so would look more natural.
i've tried spinning up the bobbin holding below the fur then releasing but i have found a lot of hair spins out.-
i was wondering if i should put a bit of wax on one of the split thread legs?

perhaps i just need more practice- i've only recently started tying.

i'll try to post some pictures for advice, thanks,


ps- dwiltshire- thanks for the klinhammer sbs in your river flybox site- its made it so much easier to tie than the way i was using before- the only problem i have is when using peacock herl for the thorax- i tie that off to the post so the thread dosen't show- is that right?

[TAFFTASTIC]

Nice link and excellent sbs by the cast of monty python cheers

[westcountry]

Originally Posted by taffbargoed

Nice link and excellent sbs by the cast of monty python cheers

You haven't seen the half of it! Keep clicking the link and you also get:

Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men.
A thread on here about Loch Earn.
A thread on here about float tubing.
A Wiki page about "Neds".
A "Ned Olympics" site.
Two sites about litter in Scotland.

Anyone found any more?


Sorry for going off topic!


Andy

[neil26]

here is one of the PTN flies i tied- inspired by 'spider's' posting of river flies, but with a fur hackle
thanks

[maharg]

Originally Posted by westcountry

You haven't seen the half of it! Keep clicking the link and you also get:

Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men.
A thread on here about Loch Earn.
A thread on here about float tubing.
A Wiki page about "Neds".
A "Ned Olympics" site.
Two sites about litter in Scotland.

Anyone found any more?


Sorry for going off topic!


Andy

Found the ned one earlier, thought I was going daft! Feel a bit better now.