AR_FlyFisher

Crackaig, Very detailed post and way more specific than I was expecting. Thanks a ton! I will definitely try this method tonight.

Thanks for the replies. I think I am probably starting too low on the feather and trimming the stem might do the trick. If not, I will post back with more details and some pictures. This is the particular fly that was giving me trouble when I gave up and found this forum: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw/51898fotw.php I was using black hackle (I think saddle). Would neck hackle work better? I bought a half cape of grizzly, but don't have any black (and don't have the funds to buy another half cape). Are there cheaper alternatives? Thanks again!

New to the board and new to tying. My first 2-3 flies actually went pretty well. I impressed myself anyway. Now I can't seem to wrap hackle to save my life. I attach it to the hook just fine with the dull/convex side up, but as I begin to wrap it the hackle turns flat. This make it where the barbs don't stick out neither laying forward nor back. Instead it just looks like a bunch of fluff. Any tips/ideas for a struggling beginner?