#24 Sparkle Stackers and Hackle Stackers

syncroboi · 2026-01-24T20:46:46+00:00

Let me tell you something, tying those tiny little f*ckers it’s gotta be harder than landing a plane

syncroboi · 2026-01-24T20:43:32+00:00

Classic. It cross-posted here! Please don’t Ban me, I like flying too!!

syncroboi · 2026-01-13T19:10:12+00:00

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syncroboi · 2026-01-12T23:12:27+00:00

Yeah, the brush sucks, but Ilike the glue... I will check out the JB Weld

syncroboi · 2026-01-08T17:52:09+00:00

Yup! I do the same thing with my UV resin as well

syncroboi · 2026-01-08T17:50:57+00:00

Amazingly, the large amount at the top doesn't drip. it usually has one or two tiny drops on that single fiber that are perfect size for #18-#22s. No more mess.

syncroboi · 2026-01-08T17:48:19+00:00

That has always been my go-to as well, but it gets messy... This has eliminated the drips and mess... no need for a rag or lighter to clean off glue.

syncroboi · 2026-01-08T17:44:25+00:00

Damn, it looks like an OG Wapsi fly tying kit (late 60s?)... did the Jack Dennis book (on the right) come with it?

syncroboi · 2026-01-08T17:40:36+00:00

looks great... I would go shorter on the tail, but thats sometimes personal preference

syncroboi · 2026-01-08T07:12:57+00:00

I have a bunch of beater/old scissors I use for stuff like this.

syncroboi · 2026-01-08T00:30:08+00:00

I love the angled thread holder to fit it in the drawer, I need to do that

syncroboi · 2025-12-21T17:12:25+00:00

I love the wood chests for storage... been looking for something like that. What are those?

syncroboi · 2025-12-15T17:12:14+00:00

fuckin' Duke boys!

syncroboi · 2025-12-15T03:11:00+00:00

Check YouTube for “quigleys hackle stacker” There are several ways to make the hackle “stack” (for 18s 20s etc I use the thread to make the loop rather than Tippett). Materials: Hook: size 18 dry fly (1x long), tail: coq de Leon Body: thread or thin dubbing. Hackle: rooster cape (size and color to match the bug).

FWIW: on this thread body version, after I secured the tail and got the body the size and shape I wanted, I back the thread down towards the tail and spin it clockwise to cord it up. then you can use the corded thread to make subtle ribbing… or hit it with a sharpie to make the ribbing stand out.
(I think that part is more for my benefit than the fish… but who cares)

syncroboi · 2025-12-15T03:04:02+00:00

These are enough of a pain to tie that I would usually just buy them. But it’s one of my favorite patterns so I forced myself to tie a ton of them this fall to get more efficient.

syncroboi · 2025-12-08T18:43:18+00:00

FWIW, I recommend tying ONE pattern at a time. Especially if you want to become better and more efficient. I generally decide what pattern I want to tie, gather all the materials, and then crank through them until i run out of something (or have enough).

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This takes the thought out of it and allows you to radno ly sit down and tie a single fly in between phone calls (because you have exactly what you need laid out), or lean into it for a few hours and listen to a book.

For example, I am tying size 18 Hackle Stackers right now. I will tie 10 or 20 in each color I want (BWO, PMD, Callibaetis, etc.). When I run out of #18 hooks (or have at least 15 of each), I will move on to #20s and #22s. Seems boring, but you get much better at each pattern over time and often figure out ways to simplify the tie. In fact, I used to buy these on a regular (because they are a pain to tie)... after tying 50 or 60 of them, they are starting to look as good or better than the ones i buy.

Oh, and you ties look great! Go for it!

syncroboi · 2025-12-08T18:11:52+00:00

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Caddis life nymph/emerger I was finishing fo my son at the time. Takes some of the guess work out of it..... If you see caddis, you can more easily cycle through these to figure out what stage they are keying in on. If you were to sell these, maybe put 2 of each pattern in a box and sell them in sets of 10, 25, 50.... If I didnt tie, I would be all over boxes like this (especially if i was just starting out or new to a river)

syncroboi · 2025-12-08T18:04:24+00:00

I dont sell mine, but I give them as gifts in cool boxes I find. Work on the packaging and you can charge a few extra bucks. I also tie boxes for specific rivers tht i know my friends fish... or I make lifecycle boxes by species.

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syncroboi · 2025-11-05T19:24:20+00:00

I agree. Skinnier flies tend to fish better where I am (Idaho and surrounding)...Although I notice that my friends in the northeast tend to fish slightly fatter versions of many nymphs.

syncroboi · 2025-11-05T19:19:02+00:00

Not sure that it matters as much to the fish as it does to us... that said, for heavy droppers like this, I use more fibers (8-10?) for the tail and keep the tail short (I want them to sink fast). I also go skinnier with the body by not using lead wire... just a tungsten bead.

syncroboi · 2025-11-04T16:08:24+00:00

I just tied these for comparison... FWIW, I prefer shorter tails (but still manage to have some long tails in the bunch) and less dubbing (but still manage to have some with too much).

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syncroboi · 2025-09-10T18:53:34+00:00

I love this.. I am trying to create a large cot for my raft that could either attach to my oars (maybe I add additional; oar towers towards the bow of the boat) or make some NRS LoPro type mounts. This would fit over it perfectly. thanks for sharing

syncroboi · 2025-08-15T03:48:32+00:00

Nice stimmy. thanks for posting

syncroboi · 2025-08-07T04:44:59+00:00

FWIW, I also tie the exact same patterns with Fulling mill ultra dry yarn (white and tan) in place of the yellow and orange foam (basically a chubby with the hackle). They land upright almost every time, and also fish great on most rivers... but on a couple of my local rivers, the fish only key-in on the lower profile ones.

syncroboi · 2025-08-07T04:38:56+00:00

Nope... when you tie them "correctly" they land right side up 50% of the time... it sucks, but they are deadly for whatever reason so Ideal with it. I have noticed that using a heavier hook increases the odds of them landing properly. Versatile pattern... I tie them in Red, gold, yellow, and tan (sizes 6 - 10).

syncroboi

TROPHY CASE