I think you mean you flatten the central stems?
At 11:14 AM 2/8/2005 -0600, you wrote:
Ginger:
Another method I've been using that seems a little easier is to flatten the barbs before tying them in. I keep a needle nose pliers on the desk when I'm making bass bugs. I strip the section of the hackle where I'll tie in in, then use the flat part of the pliers near the wire cutter to smash the barbs flat. They never get really flat, but flatter than they were. This keeps them from rotating when cinching the thread. You can tie in one at a time or in multiples this way, too.
I've been tying in a lot of splayed hackles recently for the bass bug swap I'm hosting and this works well.
Hope this helps,
Kev
From: Ginger Allen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [VFB] splaying feathers Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2005 08:39:30 -0500
I was doing some research on different techniques for splaying feathers andI found the excerpt below from Dan Blanton's list.
My question is, do you think we really have to go to all this trouble, what does he mean "cut
straight across the hackle", I don't really get it.....I'm a visual learner.
The best way I've found yet to solve your problem, which is every tyer's problem is to determine the length you want the hackles and instead of stripping the barbs clear of where you plan to tie on, you cut straight across the hackle (you can do this one at a time or all three at a time), right through the quill and this leaves the base of the hackle shaped like a V and clean. Now take some Flexcement or Softex and coat that area at the base about a quarter to a half inch. Let dry. Now you can tie in one or all three hackles and they won't twist, rotate or pull off. This is what I've done for years with the flank hackles on my Whistlers and when tying splay-hackle-tailed flies.
When tying a bunch of flies, I place a long strip of double back tape on a yard stick and after coating the cut hackle butts, I stick the hackle tip to the tape to dry. I've done dozens of hackles this way and then place them by size and color into a compartmentalized box. Very handy and saves time waiting for the hackles to dry.
Try it, you'll like it.
Dan
Ginger M. Allen Sr. Biological Scientist Florida Master Naturalist Program Coordinator www.MasterNaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu www.MasterNaturalist.org Department of Wildlife & Ecology Conservation UF/IFAS 2686 SR 29 N Immokalee, FL 34142-9515 PH (239) 658-3400 (suncom974-3400) Fax (239) 658-3469 (suncomfax974-3469)
Ginger M. Allen Sr. Biological Scientist Florida Master Naturalist Program Coordinator www.MasterNaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu www.MasterNaturalist.org Department of Wildlife & Ecology Conservation UF/IFAS 2686 SR 29 N Immokalee, FL 34142-9515 PH (239) 658-3400 (suncom974-3400) Fax (239) 658-3469 (suncomfax974-3469)
