Hackle pliers

[geoffvl]

I've been tying dry flies lately and my hackle pliers aren't being nice to me. The hackle slips out right before I tie it off . I have a teardrop type and an english style plier. Are the rotary hackle pliers good?

[phearless]

Hey geoffvl.
Try taking a piece of junction tubing, stripped wire insulation or the like, amd slip this over one of the jaws on your pliers.
It will help.
You can rough up the other side with a piece of emory cloth or sandpaper or the like.
It will help even more.

[professori]

I have a couple cans of Plasti-Dip. Dip the tips in that and keep them seperated until the Plasti-Dip dries. Hackle never slips.

[11th Warrior]

I use these:



They're basically an electrical connector you can buy at Radio Shack, but the ones made specifically for fly tying have a stronger spring to hold the material better. I picked up 2 of them for $5.00. They never slip, rotate fine (although I have a full rotating vise which helps) and they're cheap.

[Norseman]

I use the english pliers and slip about 1/4 inch of plastic heat shrink tube over each side of the jaws, heat it to shrink it tight on the jaws...It holds hackle like the dickens and won't break the stems like other metal jawed pliers do. You can get shrink tube at any electrical or automotive shops. Just bring in your pliers and see which tube fits close. I think I used 1/8th inch heat shrink tubing. Buy one length ( typically 3 foot sections) and you have enough for many many years.

[professori]

I use these:



They're basically an electrical connector you can buy at Radio Shack, but the ones made specifically for fly tying have a stronger spring to hold the material better. I picked up 2 of them for $5.00. They never slip, rotate fine (although I have a full rotating vise which helps) and they're cheap.

Not trying to start an argument, but I have had the "hackle pliers" and the terminal clamps (electronics tool-$.99 for 2) and I have found absolutely no difference. They are my preferred hackle plier (and I also use a rotary vise, so I don't put too much pressure on pliers).

[11th Warrior]

Not trying to start an argument, but I have had the "hackle pliers" and the terminal clamps (electronics tool-$.99 for 2) and I have found absolutely no difference. They are my preferred hackle plier (and I also use a rotary vise, so I don't put too much pressure on pliers).

No arguement started at all :beerchug: I found the terminal clamps I bought had weak springs so thought I'd try the "real" hackle pliars and found them to have a much stronger spring. I also found the hook portion to be a bit bigger, but not sure if that makes any difference or not.

These are also my preferred hackle pliars after trying 3 or 4 different kinds

[24_7Fisherman]

Professori - where would i be able to buy some Terminal Clamps. i have looked around a bit but havent found any yet

[11th Warrior]

Professori - where would i be able to buy some Terminal Clamps. i have looked around a bit but havent found any yet

Radio shack (or whatever they call themselves now) or any other such electronics shop

[macrib46]

It is now called "Source". The parent company is Circuit City. I picked up a set from Trout Water tackle in Kellowna when I was over there today. I have also seen them in other shop as well in the fly tying tools section, they have never been any more than a couple of bucks. If the shop or shops that you deal with don't stock them, ask if they can get them. If they value your patronage they'll try.

dave