Barb length is important to building a wing. The style of wing you choose and the hook you select, dictate how long the barbs need to be. I will, where possible, tell you the barb length of the feather you?re buying if it?s critical. Bear in mind that everybody seems to do things differently. Some people like a long, low, streamlined wing others prefer a higher shorter wing. Some are in the middle ground. Click HERE to see two Gaelic Supreme 4/0 hooks. The Hook on the left is their Harrison Bartleet the right being their Pryce-Tannatt. As you can see there is a substantial difference in overall size not just length. For my style of tying I would use a barb length minimum of 2 1/4 inches for the HB 4/0. My Goose Shoulders or the larger Peacock quills would do just fine. I guess it just depends how much do you want to throw away.

Below I?ve made a series of Click HERE buttons for you to see each of the Harrison Bartleet Hooks and how they relate to a scale. I?ve placed them on a scale with a red mark to the left of the hook bend at the "0" point of the scale(Topping, Tail and wing all converge at that measurement). This is only suggested as a reference and should not be considered a hard and fast rule. It only reflects how long I would make the wing. How you tie your fly should be to your liking. After all it?s your fly you should tie it any way YOU like it. I've placed a black mark on the hook near the eye at the approximate tie in point. You also have to keep in mind you will need a 1/4 inch or so of wing butt to the right of the tie in point (when tying) to straighten the wing after mounting as well as a little extra to accommodate the arch of the wing. I would add 3/8 to 1/2 inch to the straight line measurement of the tie in point to the tip of the wing thus the red mark to the right on the scale would indicate the minimum barb length required to wing that size hook. Again I stress this only reflects my general style. You may like a longer or shorter wing, it?s entirely up to you and the style you develop.

Click HERE to see Barb and Shank length of 8/0 Harrison Bartleet Hook.
Click HERE to see 7/0
Click HERE to see 6/0
Click HERE to see 5/0
Click HERE to see 4/0

I hope this will give you some Idea as to what Barb Length is needed for various size hooks. Based on my style of tying I would require a 3 3/8+ inch minimum barb length to tie the 8/0.

Using the same criteria as above I've done the same for the Pryce-Tannatt Rational hooks as listed below.

Click HERE to see 4/0
Click HERE to see 3/0
Click HERE to see 2/0
Click HERE to see 1/0

Literally any of the wing material I sell will fit comfortably on these hooks.