Hackle hassle

[finisher]

Any tips for keeping hackle from getting wrappen in the whip finish? I know I need to leave a little space for the head behind the eye of the hook, but the hackle fibers seem to migrate forward making the finish difficult to execute cleanly. Thanks for the help.

[jpbfly]

You can either use this method http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/fo...ners.html...or use the same little piece of plastic tube from a Bic pen on the other side but you have to cleave it to allow the thread to be near the eye...not easy to explain

[Rip Tide]

You can buy yourself some of these store bought hackle guards, but you can do the same thing with an index card
Another way is to keep a small section of drinking straw on the tube of your bobbin. When the time comes, just slip it over the thread and around the fly

[Hardyreels]

I see the guys have you squared away with solutions; I have a hackle guard somewhere myself but............ I'll toss in another for good measure.

In a pinch just take a business card; put a slice in it about 1/2" long or so; then push the tip of a pen through at the end point of the slice to create a little round hole.

Use it like the hackle guards by slipping the thread through the slit and then slide the little hole over the eye of hook. Takes a bit of getting used to but it will hold the fibers behind the card and you can finish.

Ard

[finisher]

Awesome tips, guys. You have definitely help me solve one of many, many problems. Thanks!

[williamhj]

I like some of those suggestions, haven't used any of those tools but they look handy. Personally when I form the head I use my non-bobbin hand to pull back hackle and then wrap in front of them which helps. Then before whip finishing if there are any stray bits I snip them off. Rotary vise is handy for this but not necessary.

[lake flyer]

I use that little half hitch tool at the other end of my dubbing needle. It pushes the stray hackles back and the half hitch knot holds them back, then I do a four turn whip. Rarely trap a hackle fiber anymore.