How to measure hackle

[afishinado]

 

[nfrechet]

the hook is your guide

 

[Bamboozle]

The problem with a gauge or a hook is both assume you will be wrapping hackle on a bare hook versus over materials already wrapped...

In those situations I choose hackle at least one size smaller to maintain the proportions I am after.

 

[hooker-of-men]

the hook is your guide

Care to elaborate? I can see that the hook gap is being matched in the second picture. I don't know what's going on in the first picture.

 

[nfrechet]

splay the hackle fibers 90 degrees from the stem and measure the fibers against the straight part of the hook shank

the straight part of the hook shank is equal to 1 1/2 the hook gape which equals the approximate size of a dry fly hackle

the hook is your guide to proportions

 

[nfrechet]

whether a gauge or hook shank you're only pleasing a fly tyer

I don't think fish care if a hackle is wrapped over materials or a bare shank 😁🐟🎣