hackle troubles

[swampsinger]

Can humidity effect dry fly cape hackle? Over the past 3 or 4 years I have been steadily depleting a grizzly cape without issue. Recently I have tied some paraloop dry flies. When I attempt to wind feathers from this cape, around the post, the rachis splits. Anyone had this problem and has a fix.

[swampsinger]

Found an answer, watching moonlit flies tying a "Quigley's film critic" the tier, Dave Allison mentions the same problem and and advises soaking hackle in water. https://youtu.be/XsyRPG4_3RI

[Bo D]

Once that's done and they dry out, after you tie a fly with them touch them up with a nonscented hairspray... you'll find they float high on the water and the hackles should stay as tied...

[swampsinger]

I think they did a good job on the video and the tying. I'm geeking out on a couple of Dave's tying moves first using the hackle pliers and the tension knob on the renzetti to keep tension on the hackle while he ties it off, and second how he uses his finger to keep tension on the half hitch knots.

[Bo D]

That was an awesome video. Man I've been away from this for too long. That half hitch tool that he used at the end was real neat. Never saw that before but like I said I've been away from it for some time. My grandson just moved out to Calgary and I'm going to forward him the link. When he moved I gave him all that I had in materials and the antiquated fly tying equipment that I had along with a couple of Shimano and Hardy fly reels... Thanks for bringing that link up...
Pete