I guess I would be considered a "Hacker"(to borrow from the Golfers) at this, as far as tying/fishing soft hackles.
I normaly use a 9' 5 wt, and a 71/2' 3 wt ( for small, brushy streams, I do have a 51/2' 3 wt but don't use it much ).I do like a longer rod genrally.

That piece of shrink tubing on the English hackle pliers works really well. BUT be sure you leave about 1/16(or 1/8) inch or so beyond the tip when putting on. That will keep the tip of the plier from cutting the stem of your feather.

Lovely Fly. Is that an Ostrich thorax?

Lovely! Thanks.

Handsome fly, well done!

very nicely done!

My wife sees chicken feathers - I see a really fine looking hen neck. Go figure!

Nice looking tie. Should bring a few to the net.

Wonderful ties. Really like the hackling on the 2nd one.

Me. too.