Hackle guage...any free ones to print?

Wade Rivers

Wade Rivers

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I'm looking to get a hackle guage but feeling miserly. Is there a DIY solution?

Thnx, WR
 
There are printable ones, but for $6 bucks get the real tool. Hackles are an important part, why skimp?
 
This also is not the answer you want. But I typed it anyway.

For those gauges to work right, your hook has to match whatever their hook is, and hook sizes are all over the place and not standardized, and if you have to measure your hook and your hackle too, then what labor or effort have you saved beyond just sizing the hackle up against the hook you are tying on, or doing the same with a hook from the same package as you’re tying on?
 
Matt B said:
This also is not the answer you want. But I typed it anyway.

For those gauges to work right, your hook has to match whatever their hook is, and hook sizes are all over the place and not standardized, and if you have to measure your hook and your hackle too, then what labor or effort have you saved beyond just sizing the hackle up against the hook you are tying on, or doing the same with a hook from the same package as you’re tying on?
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When I put my vise together last time I forget to put the hackle gauge on the post and, well, I haven't missed it!

@Wade Rivers I have a couple of them kicking around. If you DM me your address, I'll put one in the mail to you.
 
I have used a printable hackle gauge for years, but I have no idea where I got it. I’m sure you can find one on the web. I tape it to a 3X5 card and keep it by my vice and keep a digital copy so that I can reprint it whenever I need to. Hook sizes are not so variable that you can’t be close enough with a standard gauge. I find it much easier than holding feathers up to a hook.
 
Matt B said:
This also is not the answer you want. But I typed it anyway.

For those gauges to work right, your hook has to match whatever their hook is, and hook sizes are all over the place and not standardized, and if you have to measure your hook and your hackle too, then what labor or effort have you saved beyond just sizing the hackle up against the hook you are tying on, or doing the same with a hook from the same package as you’re tying on?
Click to expand...

While I fully understand and agree with this, im in the good enough camp. I use the gauge, and just roll with it, regardless if its a wide gap or not.
 
First of all...

Let me say thank you for the sound advice and kind offers. Zak, I will gladly DM you to accept that offer. Just a few weeks ago, Rattlesnake offered to send me some material too. You all are great!

Dos. Whilst researching this topic I came across the "not standardized hook size" thread. Boy, was that entertaining. I thought the refs might throw a flag for roughing the poster! 😁 Matt, keep telling me what I might not want to hear, it's good for me.

3rdly. Norm, awesome stuff. Gracias

Your pal in C.O., WR
 
mcswny said:
While I fully understand and agree with this, im in the good enough camp. I use the gauge, and just roll with it, regardless if its a wide gap or not.
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That's because that's what you are supposed to do. The change in gap size wasn't done to change hackle size. In fact, changing hackle size to match the gap would quite probably work against (and at worst entirely negate) the widening of the gap.
 
tkww said:
That's because that's what you are supposed to do. The change in gap size wasn't done to change hackle size. In fact, changing hackle size to match the gap would quite probably work against (and at worst entirely negate) the widening of the gap.
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Interesting take and I see your point on some flies, but disagree with it regarding, say, classic dries constructed like an Adams as in Norm's pic above. Getting those type flies to land and fish correctly is all about getting hackle, shank, gap, and tail proportions working together.
 
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