Proton - plus one more tool in our toolkit

[Hans Weilenmann]

Both Tenkarabum and Dubbn posted wee flies, and Hank asked a question on finding small hackles.

Well, the general rule on feathers is - shrink the size of the bird and you will find smaller feathers.

I do, however, offer with this post one alternative approach. One more tool in our toolkit, as it were. Flytying is all about having choices.

First a sample fly, just a simple generic softy, but one shrunk down in size. The challenge often is to find a suitable size hackle.



Proton
Hook: Mustad 540L #28 (or equivalent)
Thread: Benecchi 12/0, grey
Hackle: Single barb taken from the webby part of a Whiting Brahma hen neck
Body: SLF Minky dubbing, #22 mayfly yellow

Here is a picture of the single barb which forms the collar on the Proton, next to the finished fly



The back of the Whiting Brahma hen neck



Detail image of where to locate the barbs



The barbs highlighted



Cheers,
Hans W

[tie2fish]

Excellent information, Hans; I had never thought of that and you've definitely added another tool for me.

[hankaye]

Hans, Howdy;

Thanks for the new tool for the toolbox.

My question was (I thought), aimed more at the 'How' of tyeing
in of the smaller hackles... stem or tip ... which is the more 'prefered'
way to approach so that one dosen't end up with a lump at the tye in point ?

I realize that smaller hackle will have thinner stems and that the tips are finer in diameter
so on and so forth.

Just courious .....

hank

[Hans Weilenmann]

Hank,

I routinely tie in the hackle by the stem, as my first material - and wrap the hackle as my last action, with the wraps going from eye to bend.

You can see what I mean here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l7QFlm2Sqw

(I suggest you play it at 720p and full screen for best information and visibility)

There is no buildup at the tie-in point, nor at the tie-off point.

Cheers,
Hans W

[hankaye]

Hans, Howdy;

Thanks for that. Had to stop it and do a frame by frame to catch the action...
Neat way to start out as well, thread and hackle tyed in at same time..... interesting

Thanks again,

hank

[Hans Weilenmann]

Neat way to start out as well, thread and hackle tyed in at same time..... interesting

*chuckle*

Well spotted!

This way I will not have any bulk in front of the starting point, and will end up with only three turns of thread to finish off the fly.

Cheers,
Hans W

[hankaye]

Hans, Howdy;

Crackin' the code to find out about those

teny, tiny dissapearing Hans heads ...

hank

[Hans Weilenmann]

Crackin' the code

LOL - what code is there to crack when it is plastered over Youtube in HD?

===
Kwai Chang Kaine meets Master Po for the first time in Kung Fu TV series.

"- Old man, how is it that you hear these things?
- Young man, how is it that you do not?"
===

Cheers,
Hans W

[willowhead]

hank, "it is written grasshopper"

[hankaye]

Hans, Howdy;

At times I feel like the blind squirrel, I know I'll find the nut
.... just don't know when.

I enjoy the moments that I do find a new trick or should I say process.
It's been mentioned that there are no tricks, reckon it's all a matter of prospective,
I like defination #3

trick

trick [trik]
n (plural tricks)

1. cunning deception: a cunning action or plan that is intended to cheat or deceive

2. prank: a prank, joke, or mischievous action or plan
played a trick on his sister

3. special skill: a special, effective, or ingenious knack, skill, or technique
taught me the tricks of the trade

4. skillful act designed to amuse: a skillful act or feat designed to amuse or entertain
taught the dog to do tricks

5. act of magic: an act of magic or illusion, especially one involving sleight of hand, designed to puzzle or entertain
a conjuring trick

6. deceptive effect of light: an illusion, especially one caused by the light

Thanks again Hans. I'll keep tap-taping my cane. Sure to find some more nuts out there...

hank