Here are some of my first ties...

My question right now is are my hackles too big? they seem sort of large. I cut a couple of them down, but I feel like I shouldn't cut the hackle really.

Thoughts?

I don't see any reason to mess with them personally. Heck send them to me and I'll send pics of the fish they catch. Really, they look just fine.

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2012 Days Fishing - 18/366
Iwana : Series I : 11 ft ◊ Iwana : Series II : 12 ft

I think the hackles look fine and I don't think there is anything written in stone about the required length of hackle. I have tied my sakasa kebari with varying lengths and have seen little difference in what I catch. However, I would not cut the hackles once tied in. I think they look and move better when the hackle tapers down to a fine tip. Your flies look great and I think they will do just fine.

They look very good. Fish em.

Tom

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Wilderness Tarpon 120
and a Tenkara USA Amago
Good Combo!!!

Heres some more attempts.. none of them very good but hopefully they'll fish well.

Started to try to use peacock herl on the green one as you can see, unfortunately it didn't turn out so well as you can see.

I think your first flies are so much better than my first flies years ago. I agree with what the others have said: Your flies look good. They'll catch fish.

Like Chris said, I wouldn't cut the tips of the hackles. But then again, this is just sort of a traditionalist "rule." I know that while starting out, sometimes it's nice to learn the rules before you decide to break them. But then you get to the point where, really, you're free to do what you want. I love experimentation. So go ahead. Have fun while you're doing it.

-Jack

Some more flies I tied up today... started to experiment with some dubbing to give more of a "buggy" look, some turned out better than others... Starting to learn more I think, so hopefully they'll keep getting better. Please let me know what you think!

Some more.... focused on working with peacock herl this round.

They look great! I wouldn't mess with them at all. Try them out and see how they do and then make changes of you need to. I don't think you'll have to though.

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Rick

テンカラ。小さなストリームのシンプルさ。
My Tenkara Rods:
13' Ayu, 12' Yamame, 11' with a conversion handle, and an Ito.

My Wife's Tenkara Rods:
12' Ebisu and 13.5' Amago, 12' Iwana with a conversion handle, and an Ito.

Thanks guys. Great to hear some input from some of the pros in this game. This year is gonna be my second year of tenkara fishing, first year of actually knowing what I'm doing so I have great hopes for this years fishing, and hope to catch some fish on homemade gear..

The best would be catching a fish on a horsehair line and fly both made by me..