While looking for a missing 10wt reel, I found my box of feathers and hacklles. The hackles I found will match a fly rod I'm working on perfectly. Can I apply the hackles directly onto pre-cp'd thread (no finish) or should I apply finish first so that I have a smooth surface to work with.... the only time I've seen feathers applied was on a smooth surface, not directly to thread. I'm hoping to skip a step..would it work?

I think it would work but haven't tried it. You may run the risk of having an extra amount of trapped air creating more potential bubbles but if you are using CP to fix the feathers I can't imagine that would be a big problem. I think there may be some advantage to having a smooth surface to adjust feather placement but that may not be a major problem either. Give it a try and enlighten the rest of us!

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Mike , you will find the feathers much easier to position and move if you use a coat of finish first . You also avoid bloches on the wrap from exess CP in spots .Use 811 thined with isopropal alcohol by 1/3 or so, makes it a bit thinner and easier to work with , speeds up drying time between feather additions .
Have fun . JH

Got Fish ?

For me, I like putting the feathers right on the thread myself after putting a coat of CP on. I like using the water based CP's just because you have more time to work with the feathers before things set up. Also makes it easier to remove the feathers if you don't like how your design is turning out.

I just did my first inlay right on CP'd threads with no problem. I also used an acrylic (water base) CP. There was a great article in Rodmaker on the subject. I recomend buying the back issue. I know it helped me greatly.

James

Thanks for your responses. I was hoping that by going over thread, that it may work.