Thanks guys. Now I know what you are talking about.
The need for speed has always made me reluctant to use extra tools, i.e. half-hitch, whip finishers and such. I even keep polish-tipped scissors in the hand while tying to avoid the constant pickups and putdowns of bodkins and scissors.
Have you tried using mono for the post? It has big advantages:
Stiffer - making it easier to stick the ring finger in for holding while wrapping the hackle (exchanging the hackle between hands) . Also, it avoids the tendancy to twist up after wrapping the hackle if you need to leave it standing for another operation.
Slicker - As you stroke back the hackle with the off hand for pulling forward over the thorax, the slickness of the monoloop material allows for the hackle wraps to spread or compress (depending on how many wraps and size of thorax) for full and accurate coverage. Thread loops tend to keep the hackle wraps where they are put.
Regardless of fly size, I use the same sized loop (approx. two and a half inches). Every tier has a different loop size that will work best for them. Too short and you can't work with it, too long and it becomes difficult to hold it out stiffly with the ring finger as you wrap the hackle.
I have found that the hackle stackers actually float better and longer than traditional Catskill or thorax ties. I think that it must have something to do with the amount of feather fibers touching the meniscus.
I have found this to be true as well, though I can't explain why. Your rational sounds reasonable to me. This fly is also very tough and easy to see (the latter trait becoming increasingly important to me :)). Boy, would I be happy if this fly worked all the time.
...and I can fish the same fly for all stages of a trico hatch
I agree, and wow is that a big advantage! Especially with baetids where having emergers, duns, and spinners on the water during a single fishing session is most common. The fish can be selective to stages and this fly handles them all better than any design I know. I usually tie mine with a little sprig of brown sparkle yarn (with the end fused) between the split tails to simulate the nymph shuck. If I'm positive they're on to clean duns or spinners, I'll just trim it out.
Tony - Your example is very well tied, my compliments... I'm fascinated by your reverse application. Because of stodgy prejudice, I have to admit I've never given reverse dries much of a chance because I just never liked the looks of them. Besides flotation advantages, there's another more important reason that came to mind while studying your example. Ever notice that mayflies usually proceed down stream head first? If the fish can get so picky about size, silhouette and color, why not orientation? I'm embarrassed to also admit that as a member of the "Fall River school" that supposedly popularized the downstream presentation more than thirty years ago, I've never thought to address this issue seriously before.
Regards,
Kurt