Sometimes you want to tie on a hackle, which is either very sparse or extremely well controlled. This can be easily obtained by stripping one side of the hackle.
Simply grab the stem or tip of the feather and pull off the barbs on one side.
Make sure you remove the proper side depending on the type of hackle. Hold the whole feather close to the fly as the pattern and hackling method describes, and the remove the barbs from the side towards the hook shank.
After preparation you can tie on the feather and wind it as you always do. It will probably be even easier than usual due to the fact that no barbs will get between the stem and the fly.
This method can be very useful for certain shrimp flies as well as softhackles, flymphs and spiders, which are traditionally very lightly dressed.
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