Hackle pliers..... whatcha using?

[Mataura mayfly]

Thanks everybody for the responses, must have been a subject that hasn't come up much?
Great lot of interesting replies and I am shocked nobody has come up with the Thompson Duplex or a copy of it. The one that looks a bit like a set of automotive ignition points (for those of us that can remember pre-electronic ignition!)
Always hasd a hankering to try a set of those but never found any for sale here.

Ray, when you win lotto, buy me a set to would you.

Dubbn, that kind of photo composition was possibly my main reason for ordering the set I did, but they should work for pliers just as well. I did find a similar product here in NZ, it was cheap as well, but the metal hook was sharp as a razor and would cut a hackle quick as look at you. I biffed it away in disgust....... would have still worked as a photography stand.

[DUBBN]

Great thread Jeff. It was alot of fun!

[JohnP]

Wayne - What pattern is that? Initially I was guessing it was a small version of your muskrat pattern, but then was not so sure. Figured I'd ask. Gorgous fly & photo, by the way.

JohnP - If you are a fan of still water flies, you should check out a tyer named Denny Rickards. I am a big fan of his stillwater patterns. He tyes impressionistic patterns which have a lot of inherent movement. I own his book entitled "Tying Stillwater Patterns For Trophy Trout" and can recommend it highly. (http://www.flyfishingstillwaters.com/aboutdenny.asp)

Sorry for the hijack. Now back to our regularly scheduled programing about hackle pliers and their many uses...

Thanks for the link, Ray. I picked up this book earlier this summer and it is one of the best tying and fishing books I have read.

http://www.amazon.com/Fly-Patterns-Stil ... 1571881956

[JohnP]

[/quote]

Hey Wayne, that's a great-looking Tups, by the way!

[letumgo]

JohnP - I have that book too. Agreed. It is an excellent book.

Wayne - Beautiful fly.

[chase creek]

I've used most of the types available, but always seem to go back to the small "English" style. But a close second is the "Teardrop". These 2 types seem to allow me better control. I am a little heavy handed with hackle, and these 2 help me quite a bit.
But, as has been stated, it depends on what you are used to, and use more. I suppose one could use a clothespin if it were all that was available; and get used to it.(Of course, the purist would use the wooden ones, and the non-purist would use the plastic ones)

[Jerry G]

The tear drop style has become my go to hackle pliers for quite some time now. On occasion a small soft hackle might break in the process of wrapping and with that I have found a small piece of trim type tape wrapped around each tip section to help. I am surprised more haven't gone to the Radio Shack style wire holding plier. Hans has been using them in nearly if not all his video's. I have tried them and found with fine feather barbs and stem that they will slip off the material. I have also had some feather breakage with them as someone else has mentioned. Perhaps they just need some tweaking to get these problems solved as I really do like how I am able to rotate them as I wrap.

Regards, Jerry

[Kelly L.]

I have about 6 different hackle pliers. I don't really like any of them. If I am using starling, I like the J Dorin. Most of the time I have Dr. Slick hackle pliers for larger flies. I also use the mini tester type hackle pliers...they all are not the same. Pomona makes the best. (jimbargins123 on Ebay) Minigrabber test clip. I have them on dowel rod sticks for holding flies too. They are better than the ones at Radio Shack in my opinion.

[Roadkill]

Most of the time I use my fingers but I have a number of types for special uses or difficult feathers....

Not all are pictured here.

I like the rotary pliers especially tying parachute dry flies. My latest are some of the teardrop pliers and I haven't used them enough yet to form an opinion on them yet.

My most important use is salvaging a fly when I break my thread!

[lykos33]

80 of them for $17.00 (I think) on flea bay...beats 3-4 bucks a piece....

Great for photographing a swarm or fleet of flies...
Murray