hackle jigs

[cbarron19]

what is the best way to cut hackle before tying it on a jig? and are there any different steps to tying a hackle jig than a marabou jig? thanks

[Barnacle Bill]

Good question. I've tied a lot of them and they seem to be ok. At least the fish seem to like some of them. I have trouble getting the feathers to come out at a slight angle so they look pretty like Skips.

[skiptomylu]

I cut the hackle quill about the length I want the tail (use your judgment) and some people use 2 or 3 feathers and stack them to tie in. I cut the end the length I want and I cut what is left in quill length of about 1/4" or so. It depends on feather quality and length as to how many of the little short pieces I get. I use one tip and usually 2 of the little pieces stacked and I pinch them from the side to tie in. I always have the long tip on bottom.

Sometimes it is harder than other to get them straight on top and sometimes some hackle just will not corporate and I tie them sideways if the feather is straight and not curved too much.

It just depends on how you like them too.

Lots of practice will make this easier, but not much else helps, LOL!

Oh and I never end up using all the little pieces I cut so I have a big supply even if the hackle I am using is short I still have other cut before waiting to use. Loads of them!

I am sure most people throw the bottom fluffy part away, but I even save that to use on some personal jigs as it is much like short marabou and I can always use it with some flies I tie as a tail when I need a short fluffy tail.

Every color feather I have I keep in a storage zip lock and then a smaller zip lock type for the tips I cut and didn't use that time, but I also have another zip lock that I keep all the fluffy pieces in. I put the small zip locks in with my main bag that has feathers and the pieces "V" I cut and saved.

All this works well with my OCD illness, LOL!

Skip

[Buckeye Mike]

HEY Skiptomulu

any chance we could see some pics of a how to tie as you descriped above ?

THANKS

[skiptomylu]

HEY Skiptomulu

any chance we could see some pics of a how to tie as you descriped above ?

THANKS

I will see if I can get some pics tomorrow when I can get my wife to help me with the camera.

Skip