Palmering?

[LopatNympher]

I was looking at a fly recipe and it instructed to "Palmer the hackle forward" "dry style for greater floatation or wet style".
Could someone explain this process to me? Thanks.

[TexasChris]

Palmering is referring to wrapping the hackle over the fly body.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2353533_ti...fly-tying.html

[LopatNympher]

Thanks Chris, that explains some of it but what is the difference between dry and wet?

[Walshmiko]

P.s Make Sure your wrapping in the right Direction, its a rookie mistake but I have seen a lot of guys going the wrong way..

[jason]

Palmering is wrapping the hackle forward or backward with some space between the wraps. I don't think there is a "wrong way". The wraps are usually counteribbed with wire or something to protect them. The only difference between wet or dry would be the hackle used.
A good example of a palmered dry fly would be the elk hair caddis. The Invicta wet fly also has a palmered hackle.
Jason

[littlej81]

If there is a wrong way, it would probably work even better.

Palmering is basically doing what you do with the tinsel on a gold ribbed hare's ear only with hackle.

A lot of people will tell you shiny side toward the eye of the hook for wet flies and dull side toward the eye for dry flies. Kinda easy to remember because the shiny side looks wet. I think this is what Washmilko is referring to by right and wrong.

Usually there is no wrong way in fly tying. It is just that a majority of people don't do it that way. A lot of productive flies have been created by people who do things the wrong way. Sometimes there is a very valid reason for doing things the right way, but 90% of the time it is done out of habit and tradition. Stir up the pot Lopat.

I know. Call me on it. I pulled that 90% statistic out of my butt, but hey this is the internet. Only 2% of the stuff out there is true (Shoot I did it again).

[alanb_ct]

Littlej: what a strange response. There is definitely a correct way to wrap hackle! I advise anyone to read A.K. Best and learn how.

[Walshmiko]

Let me try to answer this question a little better..If your dressing your fly with hackle you wrap clockwise just like your thread..If you do it opposite of the thread the feather doesnt sit right and it turns into a sloppy job..
Right on Alan!
I take it that alot of you guys in here do not take pride in tying your dries. And im sure the people with the ignornat comments have a "hackle gaurd" in there bin!

[littlej81]

Walshmilko

I understand what you mean now, and I did not know that. Thanks for the info. I rarely wrap hackle other than on bugger style flies.

I guess my response was weird, but not intended to stir anyone up. Please let me explain myself. While I admit I am a novice fly tier and fisherman, from all of my reading I have come to the conclusion that there rarely is a correct way to do things. For instance, just because a lot of people enjoy tying intricate flies (it is an art), often the simple one minute flies get the job done better as far as catching fish is concerned. Furthermore, from the little experience I do have, flies that get shredded often continue to take fish. If you ask a 100 people what the best leader setup is, you are likely to get 100 different answers. While there are basic rules of thumb, sticking to the rules just because someone claims they are the rules isn't always the best thing to do.

I apologize if my response was taken any other way, and I am grateful for all of the knowledge I gain from the sight.

[jason]

Walshmiko.....Thanks for clearing that up...the rotation is definitely clockwise and the direction can be either backward or forward.
As for your comment edited into your post.......I assure you, I take pride in all the flys I tie and if it was my comment you are calling "ignorant" it was only in response to your choice of words..."direction" instead of rotation. Just a misunderstanding.
That said....I am not a novice tier and would like to contribute to the forum but if its going to get pissy every time then....screw it...it just ain't worth it.