Steve, Try this: Before you wrap the body, tie in the hackle. Stroke the barbs back to the bottom on the feather so they stand out. Tie in the hackle on top of the hook shank by the tip with the concave side (dull) up. Leave enough space behind the eye to wrap a turn to one and one half turns plus the thread head. You can make things easier if you leave about 15 barbs below the tie in point and strip the lower barbs off both sides of the stem before you tie in the hackle. This will give you the turns with the barbs and a stripped stem to tie off. Finish the body. This covers the tip end of the hackle. When ready to wrap the hackle , lift the hackle by the stem so that it is vertical to the hook shank, With two fingers on the other hand, fold the barbs back against each other. It might help if you wet your fingers for the first time or two. While folding the barbs back, start the wrap. Make one to one and a half turns and tie off. Soft hackle files should have sparse hackles This makes a real neat head and the barbs are equal around the hook shank. After tying a few flies it becomes automatic and you will wonder why you were having problems. If you don't understand all of this I can take some step by step shots and send them to you. Doing it this way keeps the hackle barbs from being in the way of tying off and makes a real neat head. A soft hackle fly should have a small distinct head and I found this is the best way for "me" to do it. Hops this helps. Tony
Steve Brettell wrote: > I'm having trouble winding on partridge for soft hackles. Does anyone have any > suggestions? > > --- > Steve, > In Maryland > > ____________________________________________________________ > Enter now for a chance to win a 42" Plasma Television! > http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;6413623;3807821;f?http://mocda1.com/1/c/563632/113422/313631/313631 > AOL users go here: > http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;6413623;3807821;f?http://mocda1.com/1/c/563632/113422/313631/313631 > This offer applies to U.S. Residents Only
