Crackleback Question

[Njardar]

I have a basic question on how to position the peacock herl for a crackleback; do you stack the herl so that the herl is facing a certain direction in the finished fly? If so what direction is that? I'm new to fly tying and steadily improving. I've made some decent looking cracklebacks so far, but I'm just not seeing enough of the herl green in the finished fly. Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.

- Charlie

[Gavin]

I usually tie the herl in by the tips. If you want more, add more...Might tie a few with some gold or silver mylar on top instead of herl. Cheers.

[jjtroutbum]

Here is a link to Ed Story tying on the materials unfortunately he doesn't complete the fly but I believe he just wound the thread forward. Then the round. Then placed the two strands of "crackle" across the top and bound it with the hackle. Attaching all materials at the front.

So to clearly answer your question he uses a couple of pieces of herl. To bulk its effect up a bit. Buying quality herl is a challenge for most in the least it is a hands on experience IMHO.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I tried some without the peacock at all. I don't think a trout can see the top of fly? I didn't notice any difference in catch rates when I tried them side by side.

SIO3

[brittsnbirds]

Like Gavin said, just play with it. I don't recall what Ed Story's original pattern called for with the hurl application on the FC Crackleback.

Depending on what size your tying, 12, 14, 16 depends on how many pieces I use. I usually use 1 with a 16, 2 with 14 and 3 with the 12. However depending on the the hurl, I have purchased some that was "skinny" and had to use more.

I have spoke to some fellows that don't mess with the hurl. They think it is too much trouble. I like to use it personally.

Another technique to keeping the thing together and for it to last longer is to wrap it with ex-small copper or gold wire. When I'm stripping them deep sometimes the strikes are pretty viscous. That causes the fly to self destruct. If I counter wrap the wire as the last thing through the hackle and over the hurl then it seems to hold together better. Plus it gives it a little sparkle.

What do you use for the body? I have used everything from chewing gum wrappers to cheerleader pom pon strands. Anything that had a good color and flash. I currently have reverted back to the original pattern using the dyed goose biots. They make a nice "fuzzy" ribbed body.

Pat

[fishinwrench]

I tie the herl in by the butts, so that it stays fuzzy looking. If you tie in by the tips and fold them forward the herl slicks back and matts down. FWIW

I like turkey rounds for beadhead (wet) versions, and Uni-stretch or flat braid for dry versions. I recently started treating my drys with Water Shed which I kinda like....I think. I despise paste or gel floatant and can't believe, nor understand its popularity.

[Njardar]

Another technique to keeping the thing together and for it to last longer is to wrap it with ex-small copper or gold wire. When I'm stripping them deep sometimes the strikes are pretty viscous. That causes the fly to self destruct. If I counter wrap the wire as the last thing through the hackle and over the hurl then it seems to hold together better. Plus it gives it a little sparkle.

What do you use for the body?

Wrapping with wire sounds like a good idea, I'll try it. I'm using Jeremy Hunt's recipe from this website with cream antron yarn for the body simply because that's what was handy. At this point I'm working on technique... if a trout went for one of mine right now they should be wearing glasses.

[Jeremy Hunt]

I have a basic question on how to position the peacock herl for a crackleback; do you stack the herl so that the herl is facing a certain direction in the finished fly? If so what direction is that? I'm new to fly tying and steadily improving. I've made some decent looking cracklebacks so far, but I'm just not seeing enough of the herl green in the finished fly. Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.

- Charlie

Add more herl. I use 4 and twist them before tying them down. Like the others said, tie them in by the tips, (not the very ends of the tips, about midway) its better materail and will make the fly turn out better. Also, don't forget to tie some with the bottom being flash instead of thread bodies.

[Jeremy Hunt]

Wrapping with wire sounds like a good idea, I'll try it. I'm using Jeremy Hunt's recipe from this website with cream antron yarn for the body simply because that's what was handy. At this point I'm working on technique... if a trout went for one of mine right now they should be wearing glasses.

Just to let you know, that particular one is still the best trout producer out of all I've thrown.

[NoLuck]

I used peacock herl at first but I don't anymore. I guess if you want to be nostalgic go ahead and use it. One of the best things I've found lately is this stuff called Lagartun mini-flatbraid. I just wrap it with the stuff and put on my hackle. Works extremely well for stripping them on sink tips and full sink line.

If the fly doesn't land with the hook point on the bottom I could see how the herl would look like a vein running down the back though.