Saddle hackles

[Black-Don]

I've recently acquired some of my 1st saddle hackles.

What's the best way to use them when tying ? Is it best to cut a section from the feather and leave the rest on the cape or is it best to remove a single feather and tie maybe a batch of six flies ?

Any advice welcome.

[Hans]

Your retailer would love it if you cut it into pieces, but it's much better (imho) to leave the feather intact.
In the end you will only have a small piece of waste, and if you cut it into sections you will have several pieces of waste after each fly.
Cheers, Hans

[shanksi]

Hi Don,
Have always used the feather intact as Hans says less waste that way.  Look through the saddle for right size of feather.

shanksi

[Hans]

What end of the feather do you tie in Ardbeg, the tip or the but?

[Black-Don]

Thanks for all the replies, some very informative stuff.

Hans, as ever, your input is always appreciated - thank you.
Now, I just need to decide on a dabbler to tie as I got some olive cloaking feathers and nice dubbing too at the same time as the saddle hackles.

Ardeg, you say you find the hackle is a bit bedraggled after using it. Are you using hackle pliers or holding it by hand ?

Again, this might be something the more experienced tiers could advise on.

Regards,

Donald.

[Black-Don]

You could double the hackle by drawing it thro' the crease in your fore fingerdo this a few times before winding it on, breac uaig

Hi Breac,

I've seen this done before but never used the method myself. What's the benefit of doubling the hackle ?

Hackle pliers Donald, I'll try by hand and see if that makes adifference.

Cheers

Ardbeg

I've had some trouble with hackle pliers slipping or breaking the feather.

Should I put some rubber on the grips ?
Would this help solve the problem ?