Hackle gauge

A gauge is just an estimating tool to help you pick feathers that are
'right' for your hook. And if it looks too small or too big on the final
product, use a bigger or smaller feather for the next one.

I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago, but since it may be a highly
useful piece of information, I'll risk repeating it: For the past
year or so, Goerge Harey has been preaching the merits of dry flies
tied wth hackle *two* sizes too small.

I must confess I haven't tried that, but I suspect such flies work for
the much the same reasons comparaduns do.

vince

"Stan Gula" wrote in news:txtrd.4250$zK1.941
@trndny05:

Norman Greenwood wrote:
Does the gauge measure the hackle feather from the pin you bend it
round, in which case it includes the thickness of the hackle stem?

Yes, but that doesn't matter.

There you go! If the OP is actually concerned about whether the stem is
included in the measurement, I recommend drinking some anejo until it no
longer comes up in conversation.

Scott

Scott Seidman wrote:

Yes, but that doesn't matter.

There you go! If the OP is actually concerned about whether the stem
is included in the measurement, I recommend drinking some anejo until
it no longer comes up in conversation.

I'll be sure to bring another holy hand grenade to Penns next year so we can
do the experiment.
--
Stan Gula
http://gula.org/roffswaps

Scott Seidman wrote:

Yes, but that doesn't matter.

There you go! If the OP is actually concerned about whether the stem
is included in the measurement, I recommend drinking some anejo until
it no longer comes up in conversation.

I'll be sure to bring another holy hand grenade to Penns next year so we can
do the experiment.
--
Stan Gula
http://gula.org/roffswaps

"Stan Gula" wrote in
news:1GLrd.9401$%R1.8857@trndny03:

Scott Seidman wrote:

Yes, but that doesn't matter.

There you go! If the OP is actually concerned about whether the stem
is included in the measurement, I recommend drinking some anejo until
it no longer comes up in conversation.

I'll be sure to bring another holy hand grenade to Penns next year so
we can do the experiment.

Funny you should mention the holy hand grenade. I was in a tequila bar in
San Diego, and ordered some Herradura Anejo (not bad at $6/shot!). A new
bottle came up from the depths, and the bartender had problems opening it,
and broke the cap. I thought that happened at Penns just because we were
about 8 sheets to the wind at that point, but it seems to be a design flaw

Scott

"Stan Gula" wrote in
news:1GLrd.9401$%R1.8857@trndny03:

Scott Seidman wrote:

Yes, but that doesn't matter.

There you go! If the OP is actually concerned about whether the stem
is included in the measurement, I recommend drinking some anejo until
it no longer comes up in conversation.

I'll be sure to bring another holy hand grenade to Penns next year so
we can do the experiment.

Funny you should mention the holy hand grenade. I was in a tequila bar in
San Diego, and ordered some Herradura Anejo (not bad at $6/shot!). A new
bottle came up from the depths, and the bartender had problems opening it,
and broke the cap. I thought that happened at Penns just because we were
about 8 sheets to the wind at that point, but it seems to be a design flaw

Scott

Does the gauge measure the hackle feather from the pin you bend it
round, in which case it includes the thickness of the hackle stem?

Yes, but that doesn't matter.

There you go! If the OP is actually concerned about whether the stem is
included in the measurement, I recommend drinking some anejo until it no
longer comes up in conversation.

I make this same recommendation in virtually *ANY* circumstance =)


As for using a gauge, I find it most useful for selecting and sizing
saddle hackles prior to attending a tying show/venue or going on a road
trip. I strip and size a few dozen hackles from a few saddles then bag
them in ziploc sandwich bags labeled by size... usually a range of 2
sizes (14-16) (16-18) so when I get to a show or am out camping/fishing,
I can be more productive. Then I take along full capes in dun, grizz,
brown to have a full range of sizes in the event I need them.

I also found the comment attributed to George Harvey interesting. A few
years back, I started tying smaller flies on larger hooks, which is sort
of similar to what was described. The difference is I tie from the bend
forward to about the 2/3 point of the shank and leave the front 1/4 to
1/3 bare behind the eye. This results in a smaller fly with greater
hooking ability, and it doesn't impact how it floats at all.

Larry

Does the gauge measure the hackle feather from the pin you bend it
round, in which case it includes the thickness of the hackle stem?

Yes, but that doesn't matter.

There you go! If the OP is actually concerned about whether the stem is
included in the measurement, I recommend drinking some anejo until it no
longer comes up in conversation.

I make this same recommendation in virtually *ANY* circumstance =)


As for using a gauge, I find it most useful for selecting and sizing
saddle hackles prior to attending a tying show/venue or going on a road
trip. I strip and size a few dozen hackles from a few saddles then bag
them in ziploc sandwich bags labeled by size... usually a range of 2
sizes (14-16) (16-18) so when I get to a show or am out camping/fishing,
I can be more productive. Then I take along full capes in dun, grizz,
brown to have a full range of sizes in the event I need them.

I also found the comment attributed to George Harvey interesting. A few
years back, I started tying smaller flies on larger hooks, which is sort
of similar to what was described. The difference is I tie from the bend
forward to about the 2/3 point of the shank and leave the front 1/4 to
1/3 bare behind the eye. This results in a smaller fly with greater
hooking ability, and it doesn't impact how it floats at all.

Larry

Funny you should mention the holy hand grenade. I was in a tequila bar in
San Diego, and ordered some Herradura Anejo (not bad at $6/shot!). A new
bottle came up from the depths, and the bartender had problems opening it,
and broke the cap.

Ahh...back on anejo. I prefer Chinaco or Don Viejo, and have recently
been developing a taste for Milagro... used to be hooked on Patron, but
it ain't the same once you've tried on of these others!!

Larry

Funny you should mention the holy hand grenade. I was in a tequila bar in
San Diego, and ordered some Herradura Anejo (not bad at $6/shot!). A new
bottle came up from the depths, and the bartender had problems opening it,
and broke the cap.

Ahh...back on anejo. I prefer Chinaco or Don Viejo, and have recently
been developing a taste for Milagro... used to be hooked on Patron, but
it ain't the same once you've tried on of these others!!

Larry