Equipment Modifications

[Kyle]

I talked to a fella at Cabela's in St. Louis the other day and explained to him how I was experiencing problems breaking off my hackles when trying to tie dry flies. He said it may be my hackle pliers cutting them. I told him that I had the type with rubber on one side and the metal disc on the other. He suggested to me that I get the other kind of pliers and put some heat shrink on one of the jaws. I have not tried them yet, but was wondering if anyone has ever done this??

Also if anyone has any other little tricks that seem to make the oridnary tools work better I would like to hear them.

Kyle

[Terry Beeson]

OK... without watching you wrap a hackle it's hard to say what causes your problem. But if the guy jumped the gun and blamed the tool, he may have been trying to make a sale. Where are they breaking? Could you have bad hackle? Could you be wrapping/pulling too tight? There are a lot of reasons for the problem.

As for the tool you use, there are several types of hackle pliers out there. Some even use wire clips as hackle pliers.

I think I would talk to a fellow tier with some knowledge to look at your hackles and then look at your technique.

As for the heat shrink on the jaws trick... Yes, that's been done. Not sure it helps. Not me anyway.