Winding a hackle collar
A hackle wound in close turns behind the eye, so the barbs stand out all round.
Tie the hackle in by its stripped stem, shiny side facing you. Take the tip in hackle pliers and wind it forward, each turn just in front of the last, without trapping the barbs already wound.
Tie off with a few tight turns and trim the tip.
Common mistakes
- Winding over earlier turns and flattening the barbs.
- A hackle too long or short for the hook: check the barb length first.