Tutorials

[David Knapp]

Originally Posted by UofMontanaAlum

I am assuming mine will last alittle longer due to the fact (and I forgot to mention this in my tutorial) that after I hackle the fly, I go over the hackle with 5x tippet for durability.

Interesting idea...I haven't thought of using monofilament to reinforce a fly. I often wrap thread back over/through palmered hackle to reinforce but might have to try this for a change...

[Bran]

OK, I really like this but I need you to go back to the real basic for me for a minute. You said to "Palmer" the herl and hackle, can you just basically explain what that means? I see the result but I tried one the other evening and I'm not sure how to get that end result, in other words "mine don't look right".

[Bran]

Think I just answered my own question, I found a description on a google search. Thanks anyhow.

[UofMontanaAlum]

Originally Posted by Bran

Think I just answered my own question, I found a description on a google search. Thanks anyhow.

Simply bring your hackle forward in evenly spaced wraps. Tighter wraps for heavy hackled flies and spaced out wraps for thinner hackle like the crackleback.

[Bran]

After finding some more explanation on tying in the hackle and wrapping it I tried another Griffith Knat last night on a sz 14 dry TMC just so I could see what I was doing a little better. It turned out similar to yours and was simple to do. The only problem was the herl kept breaking, try as I might I can't seem to be gentle enough with it.

[MickinMS]

Bran,

I have the same problem when I use strung peacock herl. I have much better luck when I buy the peacock eyes and cut the herl from there. That strung hackle seems to be really brittle.

Mick

[UofMontanaAlum]

Tie in two strands of herl next time. Use your hackle pliers on both strands, twist the strands together evenly up the herl making a "rope" and palmer it forward. That should help keep it from breaking.

I use strung herl and it works fine.

[Bran]

Gotcha, I'll try that. Thanks guys, I've just recently started tying but I must say it's a lot of fun. I just need instruction and tips, so I really appreciate your help.

[Troutman]

You can also let the herls soak in a glass of water for a few minutes before tying in and wrapping. makes the herl more pliable and less prone to breaking. This is the same thing you do when your tying stripped quills for a Quill Gordon.

[UofMontanaAlum]

Originally Posted by Bran

Gotcha, I'll try that. Thanks guys, I've just recently started tying but I must say it's a lot of fun. I just need instruction and tips, so I really appreciate your help.

Me too and yes it is. Addicting is more like it. I can sit down to tie "one or two" and end up with two dozen a few hours later