How do I tie these?

I really want to tie jigs with collars like these?
What materials and tools do I need?
And how is it done?



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It's called palmering. Just need some saddle hackle or a decent feather and maybe a hackle plyer to hold it properly.

Couple different threads here about it...
http://www.jigcraft.com/jigcraft/showthread.php?tid=7240&highlight=palmering

http://www.jigcraft.com/jigcraft/showthread.php?tid=570&highlight=palmering

Same concept,only tie in as a collar..[video=youtube]

Thanks! [THUMBS UP SIGN][THUMBS UP SIGN]


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Remember, there's different kinds of feathers that can be used for this. Different sizes, different colors, etc. I'm pretty sure the type of feather used for the collar in the first pic was CDC. I've done something similar when tying flies.

I'm a big fan of soft-hackle wet flies. Partridge feathers, body feathers from just about any game bird, and/or feathers from hen chickens.

Thanks for the tip!

My next question is, if your palmering hackle on the body, do you always have to use wire to secure it?

Also, how do I know what kind and size of hackle I want?
It's a bit of a drive for me to get supplies so I want to make sure .


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If just palmering a neck, wire is not needed, for a whole body, I would not want to do it any other way.

If you are palmering hackle the length of the hook's shank, I would use something to rib it with, to protect the feather. I completely forgot to put ribbing on the first few Wooly Buggers that I ever tied. I did fish those, and within the first few Bluegills, the hackle broke.

As far as which types of feathers to use, well, I would go with what is listed in the pattern. You'll probably end up getting several different types of feathers. For basic jigs, some hen saddle hackle would probably be a good start. Some strung saddle hackle in various colors is on my "to buy" list. I've got chartreuse and orange, and I have some white and dyed-olive saddles.

I'm not tying by any pattern. That's why I was asking about which hackle to buy.
Thanks for the info 😀


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Oh, now I understand. What kind of effect are you wanting to accomplish?

I just saw that you have to drive a bit to get supplies. Do you have any craft stores nearby? They usually have some feathers. If you're really out in the woods, do you, or anyone you know, hunt? Hunters are a great source of tying materials. You just have to make sure to clean and dry the material well, and keep it stored with moth balls/crystals (Dichlorobenzene will kill bugs and eggs, Napthalene just repels them). I usually swap flies/jigs with hunters when they give me materials.

Look into Soft Hackle fly patterns. The various feathers used for the flies will give you some ideas for jigs.

Personally, I like to use some SMALL jigs, 1/80, with peacock herl for the body, and Starling for the soft hackle collar. I caught several fish this past Spring twitching that kind of jig under a weighted float.

I really like the wooly bugger and the collar hackle.
I think what I'll do is try a few wooly bugger type jigs and go from there. I don't know any hunters


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We have some tutorials on here - not sure if you have seen them. The ones I have done aren't really full blown recipes but they give you a general idea about the different types of hackle.
If you are going to palmer bodies try to use long saddle hackles - lots easier. For necks you can use dry (stiff hydrophobic feather) or wet (soft) hackle.

Thanks ledhed!


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All the soft hackle takes time to learn how to use it as the tips breaks off easy when wrapping the hackle. A good pair of hackle pliers is a must and a pair that you like using. I use a lot of hen hackles along with other bird feather. You can get a lot of tyes from one hen hackle cape. These are Whiting Capes and they are some of the best sold.

View attachment 6View attachment 7


This is one of my jigs (Amy's Copperhead) I tie using hen hackle.

View attachment 8

You can buy cheaper hen capes but believe me you get what you pay for in capes and saddles. There is an endless list of feathers you can use and like said before Pheasant
has many usable feathers plus a lot of colors and you can buy the whole skin at a good price.

I agree about hackle pliars needing to be something you're comfortable with. Try and handle as many different kinds as you can. Tie a jig or fly with them if you can.

I have two hackle pliars. One is a standard, regular-sized (?) pair of pliars, and the second set is the same thing, but smaller. I may have to take a pic of them to show you. You have to "tune" these things, as the parts that grips the feather do not always perfectly line up flat with each other. Instead, one (or both) will be canted an at angle. What results is the feather is pinched by a sharp edge, instead of being gripped by two flat surfaces.

Another thing you can do (which I have done to both my hackle pliars), is to get some automotive shrink tubing, and put some on ONE of the tips of you hackle pliars. Doing so gives a little extra grip on the feather.

Thanks for the tips!
I ordered some hackle pliers from bps we'll see how they are.

Agree Allen, most all of them has to be adjusted. I don't know how many pliers I have but have a few sets with shrink wrap, does help some and holds on better to the hackle. The ones I have for small hackle has a longer jaw, I found these at Cabela's and once I seen I liked them I went back and got another pair. I'm guessing I have 10 or more pairs but use two the most. I also made a pair out of a Alligator Clip with heat shrink on the teeth and cut the hook off a jig and ran the shank into the clip handle then crimped them together. I added the jighead to have a little weight. I use them a good bit too.

Took a pic so you can see them all. The three together is the ones I use most.

View attachment 1

Cool! Thanks for the pics!