PocketRocket Suggestions ?

[Jaycet62]

I'm trying to build D. Anderson's P-R from the Feb 19th TheFisherman and could use some help with two issues: (1) 5/16 seems too big for the thru-hole and too small for the tail which also has a 1/4 hole for the tail weights, and (2) when I tie fresh water streamers with saddle hackles, I strip off the fuzzy stuff at the base of the feather----from the photos, it looks like these tails use the whole feather.

Anyone else making these?

Comments, suggestions?

Thanks, I'll appreciate the assist. Jay