Good stuff Scott. Keep working at it and it will come easier.
Use American raised saddles. I use mostly Hoffman’s (for hen saddles too). Metz is also another good saddle hackle – there are a lot of suppliers out there.
The saddles are so much easier to use and you get a lot of tyes with them. Think the cost is reasonable.
Egg Sucking Leech
1/32 #8 VMC hook
Wire reinforced hackled peacock herl body
Marabou and crystal flash tail
View attachment 6
Leech
1/32 #8 VMC hook
Wire reinforced hackled peacock herl body
Rabbit fur and crystal flash tail
View attachment 7
Bluegill Jig (tyed awhile back for hawnjigs)
1/32 #8 VMC hook
Hackled neck - peacock herl body
Marabou and crystal flash tail
View attachment 8