Smaller Sized flys

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Been awhile since I've asked an open question.

DUBBIN keeps mentioning using his size 20-24 sized hooks for his favorite wintertime fishin'
There has been some other discusions about midges and other smaller sized flys. So, here's my question;

Are their any special tricks or technequics that are used and/or applied to the smaller hooks that are not
used for the other sizes ? I'm asking about tying in hackle, or any of the other materials ...

Thanks for your considerations ...

hank

[Old Hat]

Hi Hank,
Personally I don't have any tricks and don't know of any. It does take a bit of practice though. A couple thoughts, you need to use thin thread, I like griffith's 14/0, use the least amount of wraps to get the job done as possible and don't try to get a bunch of stuff on the hook, keep the pattern as simple as possible.

Carl

[willowhead]

Exactly hank & Carl.....the Griffith's 14/0 (but i really like the Benecchi 12/0 even better, although it's expensive), is a very good choice. Another thing you wanna do is to examine your hackle very well, to find thin stemed hackle which is still strond and felxable. Just because it is thin, does not nessessaily mean it won't twist on you, and split or have other problems. Find thin, flexable, & strong stemed hackle to use, and the VERY BEST peacock herl, etc. And if your using floss, a single strand is all you need. It's all common sense stuff actually, but your question is a very good one. And i'm very happy to see you "Into-It!" Definately get as much experience as you can tyin' on the little hooks (using good magnification), while your eyes can still deal with it.
Nothing could help your technical skills improve more. And get good at knowing how to flatten your thread correctly and quickly. "Thread Control" in all it's aspects.....there is NOTHING more important.

[kanutripr]

Howdy All;



Are their any special tricks or technequics that are used and/or applied to the smaller hooks that are not
used for the other sizes ? I'm asking about tying in hackle, or any of the other materials ...

Thanks for your considerations ...

hank

Yeah get someone else to do it for you!!!!

If you can't manage that then I second what Carl said.

Oh and you can get a lot of tiny feathers from the neck and head area of your skins.



Vicki

[Old Hat]

Yes! More great points and I'll second both. This is one part of tying that you don't want to skip on quality of materials it will only lead to frustration and the necks for hackle is where you need to go.

Also don't fret too much unless you are showing the fly off. When they are that small and for fishing they don't have to be perfect by any means. If you have big fat fingers like me you can learn to use your fine tipped hackle pliers to hold material as you tie it in.

We had a kid about 16 coming to our club tying meetings a number of years ago that was tying beautiful and structurally sound #26-#32 elk hair caddis. I don't think he was fishing them just trying to see if he could do it. He did it.