When palmering a body e.g. ELk hair caddis or a wollg bugger, do you prefer to tie the palmer hackle in the front and wind back, securing with the ribbing or do you tie the hackle in at the back and tie off with the thread at the front.
Loxy,
I never felt the time saved by going front to back and securing with the ribbing was worth the trouble.
I was taught to tie the hackle and rib at the back, palmer the feather then tie off at the front, and if there was a counter-rib, to do that last, then tie off with thread at the head. Since the feather is anchored both with thread (at two points) and the rib, the fly fishes longer before coming apart.
And I have known tyers who feel exactly the opposite!
Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face And the rains fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. ~ old Irish saying
