Ray, I have to admit the hackle is still, too long. I am trying to get the results others achieve with the Copper John Nymph. Just because I have very little luck with the CJ, I still realize that it is a consistent producer around the world. The secret to the CJ in my opinion is the wire abdomen, and it's drastic taper. I believe that had I tyed this pattern on a shorter shank hook, the hackle would have covered up the wire body. I had two choices. Make the collar sparse, or shorten the collar. I am trying the shorter choice. I wanted the hackle to only go half way down the abdomen.
I know the fashion for Soft Hackles and Flymphs can include short hooks with a huge gape . While they look classy to me, for fishing I prefer a smaller gape hook. The 9672 hook in size 14 is about the same length as a size 12 3906B, but a smaller bend/gape. I fear I am giving trout way too much credit.
I know, kinda rambling here. It's what happens when I miss a weekend fishing trip.
Wayne
P.S. Had I really wanted to mimic a CJ, I should have used peacock for the thorax.