Hackle 'round the post

[THeBLender]

I tried to tie some emergers last night with a parachute post and hackle that winds around it.

It was very difficult for me to tie off the hackle without trapping some of the barbs that should have come off, resulting in some barbs that go straight back (they were trapped under the thread) messing up the whole hackle "flair" on that side...

Can someone please describe for me how to tie off the hackle after wrapping it around the parachute post so it doesn't look like crap.

[cheech]

I have been using Zap a Gap for a few year now, and It works exceptionally well. I think it was Ouzel who suggested this method to me. When you are ready to wrap your hackle, make sure your thread is at the bottom of the parachute post. When you warp your hackle down to where your thread is, dab some zap a gap onto your thread, and tie off the hackle at the base of the post instead around the eye of the hook. With zap a gap you don't need to whip finish. I have found that holding the hackle at a 90 degree angle from the post helps to not trap any feather barbs.

Cheech

[Grizz]

You can tie off to the post, or manipulate the fibers by pulling them back if your tying off to the eye, Make a couple of wraps, then pick the barbs back out with your bodkin & complete your knot. Tying offto the post will probably work best & alleviate most problems, but I still prefer to tie off at the eye, it's just easier for me. There has been alot of past discussion 'out tying off to the post, do a search. I really manipulate those barbs. The smaller the parachute, the harder the tie off, that's what I've found. Don't be afraid to pull the post back when tying off, it'll pop right back "up-right" with a little more manipulaton. "Manipulator", I had a marriage counsler call me that once,

peace

[THeBLender]

tie it off around the post, horizontally?

What if after that I pull back the hackle, put a head on it then whip ala Grizz?

[steeliesonafly]

Half hitch tool. A single to start, come at it from the bottom. Then a couple of doubles. No need for a whip finish.