I usually mount the wing a bit further back than some tyers, about 1/3 shank from the eye. I select hackle which will just reach the end of the abdomen...or thereabouts.
EricK wrote:
I usually mount the wing a bit further back than some tyers, about 1/3 shank from the eye. I select hackle which will just reach the end of the abdomen...or thereabouts.
I also like to tie the post about 1/3 of the shank behind the eye.
I use one size longer hackle for parachutes. In other words, a size 14 parachute would have a size 12 hackle if you use a hackle gauge or buy the 100's packaged by size. The hook is my hackle gauge, so for hackle length I like 1 1/2x gape for Catskill type flies and 2x the gape for parachutes.