jkilroy wrote: Like I said the only problem I have is the whip finish. I can tie size 18 no problem, and they look good. Not sure which way I wrap, I don't think it matters. And I tie the but section of the feather in and half hitch before doing the hackle. I refuse to not learn how to correct this problem. Is there a tool out there that only requires one hand for the whip finish?
Does the hackle guard go around the hook shank or the para. post?
Which way you wrap the hackle doesn't really matter, but it drastically helps to wrap it counter-clockwise because the thread will brush a lot of the hackle fibers out of the way.
For one-handed whip finish, it's just a skill that you have to master. normally there's not as much tension on the thread, but it can be secured when finished. I often hold the thread, hackle fibers back, and the post back with my left hand, while my right completes a whip finish.
For hackle guards, they can be bought for around $10 for a set of three. They simply slide over the shank of the hook behind the eye and allow you to finish the fly's head and whip finish without the hackle getting in the way. They are designed for catskills style flies, but would work for parachutes.
For what it's worth this is how I tie parachutes.
Start the thread and wind to where the post will go in.
Post: I use para post and lay about 1" on the top of the hook shank (like a spinner). Then I tie it in with "x" wraps and fold it up to make the parachute. I wrap around the base of the chute to stick it together and give a base for the hackle.
Hackle: I then tie inteh hackle, first on the shank and then attach it to the post. Tip - trim more fibers off of the hackle stem than you think -- just makes it easier and look nicer. 9I hate wasting hackle though).
Tails: Wrap back and apply a small amount of dubbing to split the tails. Tie the the tails in and split.
dubbing: Dub the entire fly up to the head.
Hackle: counter-clockwise secure, form head, and whip finish.
