Fw: [VFB] Stacking Hair

[Deborah Duran]

Jon Bucktail isn't good for spinning or stacking.  The hair at the bottom of the tail would be the most hollow which is what you want for spinning but it doesn't produce as well.  I've been avoiding that question since I don't really know where the best hair comes from ...  ie belly or back.    I think it's the belly hair that preforms the best.   Danvilles makes flat waxed nylon and it is wonderful for spinning or stacking. I put a thread base on the hook.  Basically to stack you would cut as much fur as you can comfortably hold in your fingers.  Remember to comb out the underfur.  Tie this clump onto the bottom of the hook first.  This will be your belly color.  Keep your thread wraps to a minimum since you will be tieing your next clumps on top of the shank and wrapping through the center of the bottom clump again.  To make spots like in a frog tie first about 1/2 the size of a clump you tied to the bottom.  Make this clump the color you would want the body of your fly.  The next small clump you will tie directly on the top of this and it will be the outline of your spot.  Spread it out a little with a finger before you tie a third clump of another color on top of it and that will be the middle of your spot.  You work your way down the hook like this tieing the belly with as large a clump as you can and stacking the other clumps on top of the shank.   If your hair is spinning on you try to wrap the thread loosely and tighten it on the upward pull.  Don't pull down to tighten it.   Remember to hold the hair until you tighten the wraps also.   Inbetween each clump throw in a 1/2 hitch or two.  If your breaking the thread you may be squeezing the hook shank too hard with the packer.  Some people use a Bic pen to pack the hair.  I'm not sure what Chris Helm uses.  The heavy weighted round brass one is what I use.  When I used the Brassie it broke my thread also.  I think it had a sharp edge.  Since I'm not an author this is the best description I can give.  I'll leave it too the others to help out where I missed anything or with better suggestions.  Deb