Having trouble getting partridge feathers to spin around the hook.

[Randyflycaster 0]

In the link below Charlie Craven describes how to use longer partridge feathers on smaller hooks.

 

http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/details.cfm?parentID=155

 

However, I'm having trouble getting the feathers to spin around the hook. In step 18 he writes "... You should have a bit of space between where the center stem of the feather is and the hook eye. You need this space to allow the fibers to spin around the shank. ..."

 

I'm not quite sure what he means. In other words, should the center stem be a little bit above - not touching - the hook eye?

 

Thanks,

 

Randy

[utyer 0]

In the previous steps, you have clipped out the tip of the partridge feather. Then you grasp the barbs that are left and hold them over the fly body using your left hand. Size the hackle barbs to the length you want, and grab them with the right hand. There should be a small space in front of the hook eye to the center stem of the feather. If there isn't a bit of space between (and in front of the hook eye, clip a few more barbs (just one or two,) and size the the feather again.

 

I have drawn a pointer on the image from Charlie's step by step.

[Randyflycaster 0]

Utyer,

 

Thanks for explaining. Now I know what I was doing wrong. I think I would also be better off if I lay the feather on a bare shank, orat least on just thread.

 

I was laying part of the feather on dubbed thread.

 

Randy

[Sundance 0]

Good explanation above. One other thing to try... As you spin, keep the thread tight to the hook shank so it pushes the remaining fibers rather than wrapping them down. You might also try doing half the spin wrap, then back up a little, go forward a little, etc. That helps maintain the pushing action rather than wrapping too many fibers down at one place.

[SilverCreek 0]

Check this video. The hackle spins more easily if the tie in point of the feather is a bare hook without a thread base. This allow the feather to spin more easily on bare metal.

 

[shoebop 0]

That's the trick Silver Creek!