RE: [VFB] Murf's #32 hackles

[David Murphy]

DonO,

I expected as much in your findings regarding your first inspection and do have more if there are not enough to get what you need.  I can't fathom tying such a tiny hackle as I can't even guage them!  I knew there were some larger ones but I've given up on 28s and maybe 26s are too much except for spent Tricos since I don't need to wind hackle.  I'm to the point that I won't even fish a 24 unless I have to for Tricos or certain midges...which the Gunpowder demands like these teeny black Diptera I can't make out in the winter...and is the ONLY pattern that works up near the dam sometimes.  THIS, is why I have 8X and a very soft tip rod for such.  Trouble is, many of those fish are 15-22" or more and the largest I ever landed on 8X might have been 15"...give or take a few inches.  ;-)

Murf

Member: www.virtualflybox.com

Favorite Fly Tying Shop: www.LinesEnd.com

David T Murphy: The Walper Group, Career Owner, Your Business Door, Franchise; Maryland/Delmarva/Consulting/Consultant/Career/SalesPros, Sales Doors, SurfMurf, Little Diddy

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From: "DonO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: <vfb@troutnet.com>
To: <vfb@troutnet.com>
Subject: [VFB] Murf's #32 hackles
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 09:47:05 -0700
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Dave,
I just got your package of hackles, and am looking at them. Thanks a bunch.

Some of these just might be #32's. What I need to do is set up a #32 in a
vise and then guage each feather by rolling it around the shank and checking
the barb length and count. Some of these look pretty darn good at 1st
inspection. Some that look like an eye lash actually have barbs in the #28
range. It's just that they grow flat against the stems so they look small.
Something that I also check is stem stiffness and thickness. On a size 32,
the turn is so tight that brittle stems split, and thick stems build up
without really hackling much. After all there's only about a hair's width
to get the wings and hackles in.

Thanks again- I'll let you know how it 'turns' out.

DonO

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