cutting hackels to fit?

[preston91]

I'm a newbe so forgive me if this is stupid, but can you cut a hackel feather to fit a smaller hook? i.e. trim the tips off...

[The Ole Man]

preston91
Welcome to the board. No, you never trim hackle to fit-not unless the pattern calls for it-such as cutting the hackle to a burr haircut on something like an "Anytime-Anywhere". Some hackle trimming goes on also for some dry flys-along the bottom. Some caddis dryflys are trimmed to an inverted "V" in the lower portion of the hackle-so that the fly will always position itself rightside up and the fly will sit lower on the water,like the natural. But-just normally hackling a fly-no, no trim to fit. Your hackle should be measured on a hackle guage to fit the hook size you are tying. Hope this helps.

[Frequent Flyer]

In other words, we usually spend $$$$$$ for the smaller feathers.

Welcome aboard!

[Fin]

If you don't have small feathers, tie parachute style. Hackle length doesn't matter as much, and your fly body rides right on the surface. Not sure about chicks, but fish dig it! http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

[Fin]

If you don't have small feathers, tie parachute style. Hackle length doesn't matter as much, and your fly body rides right on the surface. Not sure about chicks, but fish dig it! http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

[NiteOwl]

On caddis , I took WdnFly's advice and stopped tying hackle all together. The fish don't care and the fly floats just as well. Thanks a ton WdnFly, your savin' me mucho dinero !

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:) Here fishy, fishy, fishy.......

Owl