How to Use Rotary Hackle Pliers
Rotary hackle pliers are a specialized tool used in making homemade flies for fishing lures. The pliers are designed to safely grip and control hackle, which is special feather material that mimics life-like characteristics for making the fly more realistic. The pliers are designed for use with a rotary vise to allow for the smooth passage of the hackle around the turning fly in the vise.
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Instructions
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1
Hold the joined, curved end of the pliers in the palm of your dominant hand. The clips at the other end of the pliers should be just above your thumb.
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2
Squeeze the arms of the pliers together to make the clips expand. The clips remain open until you release the pressure on the arms.
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3
Slip one end of the hackle between the clips on the end of the pliers. You can place the pliers at any point along the hackle as long as you have enough length to work with.
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4
Close the arms of the pliers and let the clips grip the hackle securely. Hold the arms to keep a firm grip on the pliers, but don't press them together anymore.
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5
Set the hook into the rotary vise with the fly end exposed. Start wrapping the loose end of the hackle in the pliers around the fly.
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Secure the end of the hackle around the fly with clear fishing line from the vise bobbin.
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Hold the pliers above the fly in a straight line. Turn the arm on the vise to move the fly around the hackle.
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8
Tie off the hackle when you have wrapped as much as you want. Use the clear line from the bobbin again.
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Trim the pliers end of the hackle with small scissors. Release the hackle from the pliers by squeezing the arms together again.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use the pliers manually by slipping your finger into the joined end of the pliers and spinning the hackle around the fly.
Do not pull the hackle too tightly or you will break or damage the feathers.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hand Tied Olive, Black and Silver Minnow Fly Fishing Fly image by Chuck Alexander from Fotolia.com
