SpokaneDude

Check this out! An almost foolproof way to tie soft hackles from any size feather!

Crackaig: I tie the feather in so the concave part is up; that seems to do the trick regarding the direction of the tied hackle... the problem is the barbs sticking together (I'll try moistening my finger tips and see if that helps)... also, I didn't realize there was a set color scheme... Dave's book implied that, but didn't put it in a way I would recognize it... is there some place where the color schemes are listed for soft-hackle (spider flies)? And thanks for the response too! SD

FIN-ITE 34: I do it a bit differently, the way Dave Hughes describes in his book Wet Flies. The problem is that the barbs stick to each other (not all of them, just enough to make it look ugly)... I haven't tried not stripping the one side of the hackle; I'll do that in a bit and upload an image of how it turned out. Thanks for responding... SD

Normally I don't have problems tying soft hackles, when I have decent material to work with! And I do strip the barbs off one side of the hook prior to wrapping...

I am trying to tie some soft hackle flies and I'm having the worst time with the hackle. My problem is I have some NS Premium Partridge feathers (hackle) that I can't separate the barbs so they stand out like ALL of the tying instruction images I see. What's the secret?

I am considering purchasing a PFD for fly fishing; after a lot of searching, I am considering one of these two: Extrasport Elevate Life Jacket, made by Extrasport Kiowa Creek Fishing Life Jacket, made by Stearns Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) with either of these PFDs?

Yup... tight on the first few turns does it! Thanks for the advice; I wasn't doing it tight enough... Thanks again for your help... I appreciate it! SD

I know how to do it... I try to go over the initial tag, but that's when it moves... I'll try it making the first few wraps tight and get back to you.

When holding it tight, it just unravels... I think I'll try the dubbing wax on the hook and see how that works; otherwise, I'll run the start of the thread through some dubbing was... that should do the trick! Thanks for the reply... SD

What about dubbing wax on the hook?

I am using Veevus thread to tie my first soft hackle fly; unfortunately, it is unwaxed, and as I start to tie on the hook, it keeps moving along away from the eye. What does everyone else use to keep the thread from moving while starting to cover the hook?

Bimini15: yes, it's a pilot error on my part... among other things, I drop the rod on the forward cast. So, once the weather clears, I'm gonna get the book out and practice for next season (too old to fish in the cold and rain). Thanks again everybody!

FishingGuy: that is what I needed to know. I have over 40 spools of thread, different manufacturers and colors. The last thing I needed to buy was more thread at $5+ a pop! Thank all of you for your input; very enlightening. (Love this forum!)

Hello everybody... I'm going to start tying some soft hackle flies (flys?) and see that they are asking for Gossamer Silk thread. First question: why use Gossamer silk thread? Second question: I see that most of the tyers use a Matarelli bobbin, which I am unable to find; is it still made? Is there another bobbin that will work as well?

SilverCreek: thank you... will start on Ch 1 immediately... precisely what I needed...

It rained today... no casting... will try tomorrow...

Thank you all... I see what's going on (besides my poor casting)... I didn't realize the head was that long, and between that and my lack of competency in actual casting, I'm surprised the fly got as far as it did... Since I'm retired, I have a lot of time to practice my casting, which will start tomorrow. Thanks again to all of you, I really appreciate the help and in particular, this forum, for people like me who need experts help without spending lots of money that most of us "fixed income" retirees don't have.

What about changing the line weight from 5wt to 4wt... less resistance, and I only use it to fish for trout, most of which are pan-sized...

Hi Dave G. the line is a Scientific Angler's Sharkwave GPX Taper WF-5-F

I have a Scott A4 5wt rod with a SA 5wt line, 55" Cutthroat leader and 4x tippet. When I try to cast a very light fly (#16 dry) it doesn't go very far, maybe 15-20 feet. Is my rod setup too large for small flies? Should I be using a 4wt rod with a 3wt line? I must admit I'm not the best caster (returning after a 12 year hiatus from fly fishing), but my fishing buddy was having the same problem. BTW, there was no wind to speak of... Thanks... SD

Thanks everybody... I wound up using the arbor knot and Albright knot and in the end my wife held the spools. Everything in the beginning was going smoothly until I started to put the line on; I took the top of the spool off, put the other half on the floor and started to reel in the line. In less than 20 seconds I had a mess on my hands with the pile of spaghetti the line became. Took over an hour to get it all straightened out somewhat, and it was a lesson learned! And that's when I enlisted my wife to help... won't do that again... SD

So I am the proud owner of a new Lamson 2 Series IV reel; usually I get a new reel from a fly shop, but this time I bought it online because of the fantastic deal I found on this forum. Now, I have purchased some SA backing and SA Sharkwave GPX Taper line. Depending on what you read, you can use different knots and wrap the backing and line with different tightness, which leaves me in a quandary. So my questions are: when winding the backing on the reel, do you use a lot of pressure to make sure it lays flat? or? when winding the fly line itself, how much pressure do you apply to the line so you don't have problems when it unwinds in the water? what knot do you use to attach the line to the backing? (I have read that a loop to loop is the best for ease in cleaning the line, etc.) any suggestions on how to wind when doing it by myself? Thanks in advance, I always appreciate the advice I get from this board. SD

Thanks everybody... I'm gonna try the 6 wt, and if I can't get it working to my satisfaction, I'll use the 5 wt.

I'm in a dilemma here... I bought a new Lamson Litespeed 2 Series IV reel which will work with a 4,5 or 6 wt line. The question is: can a Scott A4 9' 5wt rod handle a SA Sharkwave GPX WF-6-F or do I have to match the line to the rod? Appreciate any info to help make a decision here... SD

Thanks Idaho RC... I just bought the Lamson Lightspeed 2 Series IV, out the door for $216 (had to pay tax)... wouldn't have gotten the fantastic deal (40% off) without your coupon! SD